Asked by: Tom Morrison (Liberal Democrat - Cheadle)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of funding further research into the long-term health impacts of chemicals in period products.
Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
We work across Government, with stakeholders and with UKRI to identify the most pressing research priorities to understand the potential harms from chemicals, and opportunities to take action on them. Potential further research into the long-term health impacts of chemicals in period products would be considered in this context.
Asked by: Tom Morrison (Liberal Democrat - Cheadle)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has had discussions with Cabinet colleagues on increasing provision of sanitary bins for men suffering from incontinence.
Answered by Mary Creagh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
I have not discussed increasing provision of sanitary bins for men suffering from incontinence with Cabinet colleagues. In 2024, officials met with campaigners and discussed the provision of sanitary bins in public and workplace toilets with other relevant departments.
The Government oversees policy and legislation with respect to the safe management of waste and litter as well as the protection of drains and sewers in England. This however does not extend to compelling local authorities regarding types of waste receptacles or their placement. These decisions are for local authorities to make.
The Building Regulations for England were updated in 2024 with the addition of a new ‘Part T’ which sets out toilet requirements in new non-domestic buildings in England. Part T is supported by statutory guidance which includes space for disposal bins in the design layouts. However, the Building Regulations are limited to the provision and design of toilet facilities and do not extend to the management and use of disposal bins.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is reviewing the Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) and guidance of the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 regarding provision of disposal facilities in workplace toilets. This work is included within the Government’s wider plans under Make Work Pay, and HSE will hold appropriate consultation in due course.
Asked by: Tom Morrison (Liberal Democrat - Cheadle)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of mandating the use of Bovaer in cattle feed on farmers.
Answered by Daniel Zeichner - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Bovaer is a methane suppressing feed product which can reduce the methane emissions of cows by an average of 27%. Every sector of the UK economy, including agriculture, must reduce emissions for us to achieve net zero by 2050. Ruminant livestock, particularly cattle and sheep, are a key contributor of emissions in the agricultural sector and Defra considers methane suppressing feed products to be an essential tool to decarbonise the agricultural sector and achieve our Net Zero commitments.
Defra's ambition is to develop a mature market of safe and effective products for widespread use in suitable cattle systems in England as soon as is feasibly possible. However, at present there are no policies in place regarding the use of methane suppressing feed products. Defra will continue to utilise best available evidence, industry and stakeholder knowledge to inform future policy direction.
Asked by: Tom Morrison (Liberal Democrat - Cheadle)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, for what reason his Department is trialling the use of Bovaer feed additive; and what assessment he has made of the potential merits of using (a) kelp-based additives and (b) other natural solutions.
Answered by Daniel Zeichner - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Bovaer is a relatively new product, therefore building on the existing evidence base, particularly on-farm in 'real life' conditions is critical to give farmers and consumers confidence in these products. Defra is not undertaking any trials of Bovaer so trials led by the dairy industry and retailers can help build this evidence base.
The Food Standards Agency has advised milk from cows given Bovaer is safe to drink. Bovaer has undergone a rigorous safety assessment and is approved for use in Great Britain.
Regulation of feed additives and materials, such as Kelp, is the responsibility of the Food Standards Agency. Both synthetic and natural feed products must be demonstrated as safe for use to be added to the GB Register of Feed Materials.
Asked by: Tom Morrison (Liberal Democrat - Cheadle)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much the Environment Agency spent on flood defences in Cheadle constituency in the last Parliament.
Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Environment Agency (EA) undertook the following activities in Cheadle constituency over the course of the last parliament:
o Major refurbishments of Abney Hall and debris screens on Heald Green Brook are planned.
Many of these activities were undertaken across multiple constituencies, meaning that the cost of each cannot be solely attributed to Cheadle constituency. Consequently, the EA cannot provide an exact number spent on flood defences in Cheadle Constituency.
Asked by: Tom Morrison (Liberal Democrat - Cheadle)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to publish the 48 local nature recovery strategies; and what steps he is taking with local authorities to help deliver those strategies.
Answered by Mary Creagh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRSs) are currently being prepared across England. Responsible Authorities are developing them in collaboration with other public bodies, planning authorities, local partnerships, landowners and managers, as well as Defra group bodies who are providing specialist local support and helping plan for delivery on the ground. LNRSs will be published by responsible authorities. The first LNRS is expected to be published this year with the remainder following in the first half of 2025. Delivery of LNRSs will be encouraged through a combination of legal duties and incentives.