Asked by: Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have plans (1) to bring forward their proposed ban on the sale of all peat-containing products, or (2) revise the list of items exempted from the ban until 2030.
Answered by Lord Benyon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
In August 2022 we announced that we would ban the sale of peat for use in amateur gardening; we remain committed to this and plan to legislate as soon as parliamentary time allows. It remains our policy that we intend to legislate to restrict, and ultimately ban, the sale of peat and peat containing products. Our proposals, announced in March this year, include technical exemptions up to 2030. We are continuing to hold discussions with the horticulture sector on possible technical exemptions for the continued use of peat in the professional sector up to 2030, and for conservation purposes thereafter.
Asked by: Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports that the Drinking Water Inspectorate found that more than 11,000 samples had tested positive for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances in 2022.
Answered by Lord Benyon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Although detected in a tiny number of raw water samples, there is no evidence of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) concentrations above the 0.1 µg/l guideline value in drinking water supplies. The Government is aware of the 3.8% of water samples that tested positive for PFAS in 2022. The Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) has assessed these results and provided further direction to companies to develop appropriate and focused strategies to protect drinking water supplies going forward. Work is continuing across Government, which the DWI is involved in, to help us assess levels of PFAS occurring in the environment, their sources and potential risks to safeguard current high drinking water quality and ensure our regulations remain fit for purpose.
Asked by: Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government why their response to the 2022 consultation on improved food waste reporting by large food businesses in England has been withdrawn, and when they expect to publish a new response.
Answered by Lord Benyon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We intend to gather further evidence and re-consider all the options using the latest available data in order to retake the decision in the next four to six months.
Asked by: Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government how they envisage the work of Ofwat will contribute to the revised Growth Duty, which was announced alongside the Autumn Statement.
Answered by Lord Benyon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Ofwat lead the independent price review process to determine investment plans for water companies from 2025 to 2030, with proposed business plans currently containing a planned £96 billion of investment between 2025 and 2030.
Ofwat are now in the process of scrutinising these plans to ensure they meet the targets for environmental improvements and other obligations, without unduly impacting customers’ bills. Once the Growth Duty requirements come into force on 6 April 2024, Ofwat will also need to consider the promotion of economic growth throughout this scrutiny process.
Asked by: Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they envisage any conflicts arising between the statutory duties of Ofwat and the revised Growth Duty, which was announced alongside the Autumn Statement; and if so, which duties should be prioritised.
Answered by Lord Benyon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
As an independent regulator, Ofwat are well placed to balance their own decision making on statutory duties. This will include striking the right balance between competing pressures or duties, informed by an understanding of what approach might best support sustainable growth.
There may be instances where a regulator has considered growth and reached a view that other duties or objectives may take precedence. To support this, the proposed updated guidance for the Growth Duty assists regulators in considering the importance of economic factors and how to fulfil the Growth Duty.
Asked by: Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government, following reports that 96 per cent of respondents to their 2021 Call for Evidence on the fur trade strongly agreed that it is wrong for animals to be killed for fur, what plans they have to bring forward legislation to ban the (1) import, and (2) sale, of fur.
Answered by Lord Benyon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We are continuing to build our evidence base on the fur sector, which will be used to inform any future action on the fur trade. This includes commissioning the Animal Welfare Committee to explore current responsible sourcing practices in the fur industry. Any future measures would be subject to consultation.
Asked by: Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the numbers of specialised staff working in the climate and natural environment sectors; and what assessment they have made of any risks arising from skilled staff transferring to other sectors.
Answered by Lord Benyon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Government recognises the challenges to ensuring a skilled workforce to achieve Net Zero and our environmental goals and targets. We have committed to publishing a Green Jobs Plan in 2024, which we are currently working with employers to develop through the Green Jobs Delivery Group. The Plan will outline actions to support the upskilling and retention of staff with specialist climate and environmental skills to develop a skilled and sufficiently sized workforce.
To inform this Plan, we have been undertaking workforce assessments for key sectors, engaging with industry leads to understand the cross-cutting themes, shortages and skills gaps related to the needs of the Net Zero and Nature workforce.
Asked by: Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of staffing levels across the climate and natural environment sectors, including (1) the Environment Agency, and (2) Natural England.
Answered by Lord Benyon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.
Asked by: Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have held with the government of Vietnam regarding reports that unchipped and illegal bears in Nghe An Province have not been confiscated due to violence against enforcement officials by illegal wildlife farmers.
Answered by Lord Benyon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We have made no assessment or held any discussions with the government of Vietnam on the trafficking or illegal captivity of Asiatic Black Bears. However, in April 2023 Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Thérèse Coffey visited Vietnam and met with her counterparts in the Ministry for Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. During this visit the important role of Vietnam in tackling the Illegal Wildlife Trade was discussed.
The UK government fully opposes any intimidation of individuals carrying out official duties and is supportive of a proportionate response that reflects international commitments and due process.
Asked by: Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have held with the government of Vietnam regarding the number of unchipped and illegal bears in captivity in Vietnam.
Answered by Lord Benyon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We have made no assessment or held any discussions with the government of Vietnam on the trafficking or illegal captivity of Asiatic Black Bears. However, in April 2023 Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Thérèse Coffey visited Vietnam and met with her counterparts in the Ministry for Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. During this visit the important role of Vietnam in tackling the Illegal Wildlife Trade was discussed.
The UK government fully opposes any intimidation of individuals carrying out official duties and is supportive of a proportionate response that reflects international commitments and due process.