Asked by: Kenny MacAskill (Alba Party - East Lothian)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many dogs were imported under the Balai Directive in each month of (a) 2021 and (b) 2022 to date; and from which country did these dogs originate.
Answered by Victoria Prentis - Attorney General
Since we left the EU, the EU import data was collated from the Animal and Plant Health Agency’s (APHA) Post Import Management System and accounts for all Imports that have been entered using IPAFFS (Import of products, animals, food and feed system).
The information that we have provided is a true reflection of the information that we have access to. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of this data, as we can only rely on the information that has been input into IPAFFS by traders.
APHA only holds data on GB imports.
From 14 April 2022 Great Britain temporarily suspended the commercial import of dogs, cats and ferrets if they originated from or have been dispatched from Belarus, Poland, Romania or Ukraine, until 9 July 2022.
Please find data below.
2021 Numbers of Dogs imported under Balai Directive | ||||||
Country of Origin | Jan | Feb | Mar | April | May | June |
Austria |
|
| 14 |
| 4 |
|
Belgium | 19 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 5 |
Bulgaria | 35 | 65 | 113 | 74 | 116 | 131 |
Croatia |
| 27 | 125 | 118 | 207 | 196 |
Cyprus | 143 | 485 | 323 | 384 | 205 | 415 |
Czechia |
| 14 | 14 | 19 | 17 | 20 |
Denmark |
|
| 12 |
| 1 | 184 |
England | 1 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 7 |
|
Estonia |
|
|
| 16 | 5 |
|
Finland |
| 1 | 2 | 1 |
|
|
France | 6 | 58 | 40 | 48 | 17 | 111 |
Germany |
| 2 | 4 | 4 | 11 | 17 |
Greece | 13 | 31 | 24 | 116 | 164 | 79 |
Hungary | 35 | 234 | 865 | 621 | 582 | 358 |
Iceland |
|
| 1 |
|
|
|
Italy | 4 | 29 | 35 | 26 | 9 | 33 |
Latvia |
| 36 | 25 | 66 | 61 | 45 |
Lithuania | 28 | 35 | 75 | 62 | 32 | 28 |
Luxembourg |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Malta |
|
|
|
|
| 1 |
Netherlands | 9 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 3 |
Northern Ireland |
| 2 |
|
|
|
|
Norway |
|
|
| 1 |
|
|
Poland | 131 | 318 | 564 | 587 | 688 | 566 |
Portugal | 1 | 34 | 69 | 59 | 43 | 78 |
Republic of Ireland | 96 | 529 | 717 | 560 | 654 | 640 |
Romania | 558 | 3609 | 4220 | 4788 | 3696 | 3199 |
Scotland |
|
|
|
|
| 1 |
Slovakia | 5 | 32 | 39 | 27 | 17 | 22 |
Slovenia |
|
| 1 | 3 |
| 1 |
Spain | 117 | 269 | 637 | 702 | 573 | 590 |
Sweden |
| 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Switzerland |
|
| 1 | 2 | 1 |
|
Wales |
|
| 1 |
|
|
|
UK |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Isle of Man |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(blank) |
|
|
| 1 |
|
|
Grand Total | 1201 | 5832 | 7937 | 8305 | 7125 | 6724 |
2021 Numbers of Dogs imported under Balai Directive | ||||||
Country of Origin | July | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec |
Austria |
| 2 | 1 |
| 1 |
|
Belgium | 7 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 2 |
|
Bulgaria | 96 | 44 | 157 | 110 | 86 | 66 |
Croatia | 282 | 223 | 132 | 254 | 246 | 193 |
Cyprus | 297 | 396 | 345 | 325 | 165 | 275 |
Czechia | 22 | 18 | 25 | 22 | 20 | 30 |
Denmark |
| 58 | 210 | 43 | 94 | 117 |
England | 20 | 3 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 1 |
Estonia |
| 1 | 1 |
|
|
|
Finland |
| 1 |
| 1 | 1 | 1 |
France | 38 | 26 | 16 | 12 | 32 | 7 |
Germany | 7 | 9 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 4 |
Greece | 110 | 98 | 124 | 110 | 88 | 60 |
Hungary | 322 | 223 | 402 | 302 | 277 | 296 |
Iceland |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Italy | 35 | 29 | 35 | 17 | 36 | 8 |
Latvia | 43 | 28 | 57 | 55 | 69 | 27 |
Lithuania | 81 | 71 | 82 | 77 | 55 | 52 |
Luxembourg |
|
|
|
|
| 2 |
Malta |
|
|
|
|
| 2 |
Netherlands | 4 | 34 | 23 | 28 | 16 | 18 |
Northern Ireland |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Norway |
| 1 |
|
| 1 |
|
Poland | 480 | 486 | 543 | 492 | 405 | 333 |
Portugal | 53 | 22 | 42 | 46 | 28 | 25 |
Republic of Ireland | 557 | 620 | 651 | 557 | 633 | 444 |
Romania | 3328 | 2871 | 3108 | 3452 | 2825 | 2427 |
Scotland |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Slovakia | 23 | 21 | 32 | 22 | 33 | 18 |
Slovenia | 1 |
| 1 |
|
|
|
Spain | 729 | 316 | 539 | 490 | 539 | 408 |
Sweden | 2 | 1 |
| 33 | 1 | 2 |
Switzerland | 1 | 2 | 1 |
|
|
|
Wales |
|
|
|
|
|
|
UK |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Isle of Man |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(blank) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Grand Total | 6538 | 5610 | 6548 | 6463 | 5667 | 4816 |
2022 Numbers of Dogs imported under Balai Directive | |||||
Country of Origin | Jan | Feb | Mar | April | 1/5/22 to 23/05/22 |
Austria | 3 |
|
| 2 |
|
Belgium | 10 |
| 4 | 5 | 2 |
Bulgaria | 79 | 40 | 95 | 115 | 115 |
Croatia | 145 | 190 | 358 | 248 |
|
Cyprus | 335 | 282 | 275 | 77 | 231 |
Czechia | 14 | 11 | 10 | 18 | 16 |
Denmark | 1 | 19 | 67 | 97 |
|
England |
| 1 | 2 | 7 | 3 |
Estonia |
|
| 4 |
| 7 |
Finland | 1 | 1 | 1 |
|
|
France | 16 | 18 | 16 | 2 | 1 |
Germany | 22 | 21 | 7 | 11 | 3 |
Greece | 54 | 48 | 33 | 29 | 16 |
Hungary | 164 | 253 | 224 | 226 | 193 |
Iceland |
|
|
|
|
|
Italy | 7 | 44 | 32 | 35 | 22 |
Latvia | 56 | 32 | 54 | 41 | 8 |
Lithuania | 36 | 63 | 52 | 31 | 26 |
Luxembourg |
|
| 1 |
|
|
Malta |
|
|
|
|
|
Netherlands | 24 | 17 | 12 | 9 |
|
Northern Ireland | 1 |
|
|
|
|
Norway |
| 3 |
| 2 |
|
Poland | 320 | 339 | 334 | 175 | 42 |
Portugal | 30 | 36 | 30 | 24 | 39 |
Republic of Ireland | 635 | 670 | 632 | 534 | 493 |
Romania | 2529 | 2365 | 2531 | 1181 | 18 |
Scotland |
|
|
|
|
|
Slovakia | 17 | 13 | 12 | 17 | 9 |
Slovenia |
|
|
|
|
|
Spain | 480 | 529 | 448 | 415 | 344 |
Sweden | 2 | 3 | 1 |
| 1 |
Switzerland |
| 1 |
| 1 |
|
Wales |
|
|
|
|
|
UK |
|
| 1 | 2 |
|
Isle of Man | 2 |
|
|
|
|
(blank) |
|
|
|
|
|
Grand Total | 4983 | 4999 | 5236 | 3304 | 1589 |
Asked by: John Healey (Labour - Wentworth and Dearne)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the Government's position is on (a) Finland and (b) Sweden joining NATO; and what discussions he has had with the Governments of those countries on their potential membership of NATO.
Answered by James Heappey
The UK fully supports both Finland and Sweden and their decision to apply for membership. This is another welcome move by long-standing friends and follows extensive and democratic consultation within both countries. NATO is a defensive alliance and we believe both countries will fortify Northern Europe’s defences in the face of renewed threats. We look forward to integrating them into the Alliance as soon as possible.
The UK is clear that having Sweden and Finland in the alliance would be good for their own security, and good for the security of the entire Alliance. NATO, Finland and Sweden train and exercise together on a regular basis. They participate in NATO Missions and Operations. NATO has stepped up cooperation with both countries since the beginning of the crisis. They have much to contribute to our shared security.
The UK and all Allies are committed to NATO’s Open Door Policy. Enlargement is a decision for NATO itself, and NATO members are always able to discuss matters relating to the future of the Alliance. It is important that Allies, Finland and Sweden have sufficient opportunity for constructive discussions when discussing NATO accession. These discussions are an important step in the accession process.
We welcome the decision by Finland and Sweden. This is an historic moment, and the UK stands ready to offer them our every assistance during the accession process.
Asked by: John Healey (Labour - Wentworth and Dearne)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she plans to lay the security and defence agreements signed between the UK, Sweden and Finland before Parliament under the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010; and if she will make a statement.
Answered by James Cleverly - Home Secretary
The Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010 makes provision for treaties subject to ratification first to be laid before Parliament. The Act's definition of a treaty does not capture arrangements which are not legally binding under international law.
The joint statements made between the UK and Finland and the UK and Sweden on 11 May both note that they are political declarations and are not legally binding obligations under international law. The statements in their entirety were published on gov.uk immediately after their signature. These are available at: https://www.gov.uk/international/foreign-affairs#policy_and_engagement
Asked by: Mark Hendrick (Labour (Co-op) - Preston)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with her counterparts in Finland and Sweden regarding each of those countries' prospective applications for NATO membership.
Answered by James Cleverly - Home Secretary
The UK Government engages regularly with Finland and Sweden, including on security issues. The UK fully supports Sweden and Finland's relationships with NATO as Enhanced Opportunities Partners (EOP) and we also cooperate through the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force. As two of only six EOP countries, Sweden and Finland make significant contributions to NATO operations and have enhanced opportunities for dialogue and cooperation with Allies. Any application for NATO membership must be a decision taken by Sweden or Finland alone. The UK will continue to support and respect Finnish and Swedish decisions related to their own security policy.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with her (a) Finnish, and (b) Swedish counterparts on those countries potential intention to join NATO.
Answered by James Cleverly - Home Secretary
The UK Government engages regularly with Finland and Sweden, including on security issues. The UK fully supports Sweden's and Finland's relationships with NATO as Enhanced Opportunities Partners (EOP), and we also cooperate through the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force. As two of only six EOP countries, Sweden and Finland make significant contributions to NATO operations and have enhanced opportunities for dialogue and cooperation with Allies. Any application for NATO membership must be a decision taken by Sweden or Finland alone. The UK will continue to support and respect Finnish and Swedish decisions related to their own security policy.
Asked by: Daniel Zeichner (Labour - Cambridge)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the impact of the shortage of self-adhesive labels on the food supply chain.
Answered by Victoria Prentis - Attorney General
The UK has a highly resilient food supply chain, which has coped well in responding to unprecedented challenges. Defra is well-versed in responding to disruption if the dependencies captured were to lead to food supply disruption.
Defra is aware of the ongoing industrial action by workers at the UPM paper mills in Finland and is engaging with industry to understand the impacts.
Defra maintains a collaborative relationship with industry which allows us to effectively respond to disruption. This was successfully demonstrated in response to unprecedented disruption to both supply and demand throughout the COVID-19 response.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he last spoke to his Finnish counterpart.
Answered by Ben Wallace
I last had a bilateral meeting with Antti Kaikkonen, Finnish Defence Minister on 12 January 2022 during a visit to Finland. We also met at the meeting of Joint Expeditionary Force Defence Ministers at Belvoir Castle on 21/22 February 2022.
Asked by: Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour - Slough)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has held recent discussions with her Swedish and Finnish counterparts on NATO membership.
Answered by James Cleverly - Home Secretary
The UK Government engages regularly with Finland and Sweden, including on security issues. The UK fully supports Sweden's and Finland's relationships with NATO as Enhanced Opportunities Partners (EOP), and we also cooperate through the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force. As two of only six EOP countries, Sweden and Finland make significant contributions to NATO operations and have enhanced opportunities for dialogue and cooperation with Allies. Any application for NATO membership must be a decision taken by Sweden or Finland alone, and the Government respects this position.
Asked by: Marquess of Lothian (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to discuss with international partners the warnings by scientists working in the International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration of the potential for ice shelf failure along the Thwaites Glacier in the next decade.
Answered by Lord Callanan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The UK is always seeking to discuss issues with our international partners where appropriate opportunities arise. This is no exception and there is a strong international community involved in monitoring and discussing the risk around the Thwaites Glacier.
In 2018, the UK Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) funded the International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration, a five-year £20million Antarctic research programme and the largest joint project undertaken by the two nations in Antarctica for more than 70 years. This project is aimed at collecting instrument data throughout the glacier and the adjacent ocean, and modelling ice flow and the future of the ice sheet. The collaboration involves around 100 scientists from world-leading research institutes in both the US and UK alongside researchers from South Korea, Germany, Sweden, New Zealand and Finland, who will contribute to the various projects.
The changes that may occur in the vicinity of the grounding line of the Thwaites Glacier in the next decade will not, of themselves, result in a significant change in global sea level. While some computer models predict that such changes may lead to a wider loss of ice to the ocean, these are processes occurring on century timescales. For this reason, the NERC and BAS priority at present is to continue to monitor the Thwaites Glacier with satellite and ground observations, as they are presently undertaking in collaboration with the US.
Asked by: Catherine West (Labour - Hornsey and Wood Green)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether his Department plans to change the English planning system to mitigate fire risk in the context of the Grenfell disaster.
Answered by Christopher Pincher
Following the Grenfell Tower fire on 14 June 2017 the Government commissioned the Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety led by Dame Judith Hackitt. The report highlighted the need to transform the fire and building safety regime and recommended that “some minimum requirements around fire safety will need to be addressed when local planning authorities are determining planning applications and will require input from those with the relevant expertise.”
The review took into consideration the experience of other countries’ building regulatory frameworks. It noted that many of the concerns recognised with the English regulatory framework were shared across different countries. This included deviations from designs, potential conflicts of interest for third-party inspectors, lack of adequate competence, as well as lack of clarity around roles and responsibilities. The review’s findings and subsequent recommendations were also informed by case studies from countries such as Australia, New Zealand and Finland, the outcome of which was to move towards a culture of shared responsibility in how our planning system approaches building and fire safety.
In response to the review’s recommendations, the Government introduced new requirements known as planning gateway one on 1st August 2020, which require the developer to submit a fire statement setting out fire safety considerations specific to the development with a relevant application for planning permission for development which involves one or more relevant buildings.
Relevant buildings under planning gateway one must contain two or more dwellings or educational accommodation and meet the height condition of 18 metres or more, or 7 or more storeys.
These changes are intended to help ensure that applicants and decision-makers consider planning issues relevant to fire safety, bringing forward-thinking on fire safety matters as they relate to land use planning to the earliest possible stage in the development process and result in better schemes which fully integrate thinking on fire safety.
Additional guidance on fire safety and high-residential buildings can be found in the following planning practice guidance: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/fire-safety-and-high-rise-residential-buildings-from-1-august-2021