Asked by: Simon Kirby (Conservative - Brighton, Kemptown)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of beak trimming of laying hens; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by George Eustice
We are funding research to assess the effectiveness of management strategies in reducing injurious pecking in 20 commercial flocks of non beak trimmed laying hens. We will review all the available evidence, including that provided by interested parties and the outcome of our on-going research, in 2015.
Asked by: Simon Kirby (Conservative - Brighton, Kemptown)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to review the integrity of the coastline following recent severe weather; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Dan Rogerson
The Environment Agency, assisted by the military, is undertaking a review of coastal flood defences after the recent weather events. The results of this review will inform the Environment Agency's priorities for the near future.
Asked by: Simon Kirby (Conservative - Brighton, Kemptown)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to protect the (a) UK coastline and (b) Saltdean, Telscombe Cliffs and Peacehaven stretch of coastline from erosion; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Dan Rogerson
The Environment Agency has had strategic overview of coastal erosion risk management in England since 2008. Under this overview the Environment Agency oversees the development, monitoring, delivery and reporting of Shoreline Management Plans and associated coastal strategies for the whole coastline of England and Wales. This sets out how coastal erosion will be managed sustainably in the long term.
Lewes District Council and Brighton and Hove City Council are developing a long-term plan to manage erosion risk along the frontage from Beachy Head to Selsey Bill. This is to be completed this year. It will evaluate the most sustainable options to maintain the coastline over the next 100 years and assess the economic viability of replacing the existing defenses when required. The plan has been funded by £104,000 of flood and coastal erosion risk management Grant-in-Aid.
Asked by: Simon Kirby (Conservative - Brighton, Kemptown)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his EU counterparts regarding the live export of animals; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by George Eustice
The EU Commission's approach is focused on better enforcement of existing European rules on the welfare of animals during transport, rather than making any substantive change to legislation. I have not held any discussions with my EU counterparts on this strategy.
Asked by: Simon Kirby (Conservative - Brighton, Kemptown)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent representations he has received regarding the need for a vaccine for bovine TB; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by George Eustice
We have received representations on all aspects of tackling Bovine TB, including vaccination for cattle and badgers, from a very wide range of stakeholders. The role that cattle and badger vaccination can play in eradicating Bovine TB is outlined in our comprehensive Strategy for achieving Officially Bovine Tuberculosis Free status for England.