Topical Questions 2023-02-23

2023-02-23

TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Context
Concerns about the availability of horticultural products due to a particular issue in Spain and north Africa before Christmas.
If she will make a statement on her departmental responsibilities. Many Members are concerned by reports about the availability of various horticultural products right now, especially after issues in Spain and north Africa.
DEFRA is working closely with the industry to understand supply chain issues. Officials are already working with food retailers, and the Minister will be meeting them very early next week specifically to talk through certain aspects for supermarkets.
Assessment & feedback
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Q2 Partial Answer
Context
The importance of the international movement of top thoroughbreds to maintain the world-leading position of the National Hunt festival at Cheltenham racecourse.
In mid-March, the greatest National Hunt festival will take place at Cheltenham racecourse in my constituency. What have the Government been able to do to facilitate the international movement of top thoroughbreds?
The Government are close to publishing their target operating model proposals which will take a proportionate, risk-based and technically advanced approach to future sanitary and phytosanitary controls. They are still considering the approach specifically for live animals.
Assessment & feedback
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Q3 Partial Answer
Ruth Jones Lab
Newport West and Islwyn
Context
Labour's plan for a standalone clean air Act to tackle the increasing problem of indoor air pollution.
Before Labour's standalone Clean Air Act, what specific action has the Secretary of State taken to tackle indoor air pollution? What discussions have been had with other Departments?
The clean air strategy of 2019 specifically identified indoor air pollution. Advice on ventilation is provided, but no new specific action or plan was announced.
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Q4 Partial Answer
Context
Funding of £10 million allocated to upgrade flood defences in Fylde, a low-lying and largely flat coastal peninsula.
Will the Under-Secretary commit to producing a long-term plan to relieve flooding issues after visiting the affected areas?
She would be delighted to come back if her diary permits it to see further work being done, but no specific commitment was made for producing a long-term flood defence plan.
Assessment & feedback
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Q5 Partial Answer
Wendy Chamberlain Lib Dem
North East Fife
Context
Energy costs impacting farmers, but not included in the new business scheme coming into place.
Given an urgent question on food shortages is about to take place, will the Government reconsider excluding farmers from the new business scheme?
The UK Government have been helping households and businesses with energy costs. The scheme focuses on energy-intensive sectors that need ongoing support, but no reconsideration was announced.
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Q6 Partial Answer
Context
Conflicting factors such as offshore wind and marine protected areas squeezing the fishing industry out of its livelihood.
What steps are being taken to ensure that the fishing industry is not squeezed out by generally welcome but often conflicting factors like offshore wind and marine protected areas?
The Minister meets Scottish fishermen regularly, aware of their challenges due to spatial squeeze. No specific steps were announced.
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Q7 Partial Answer
Kate Osborne Lab
Jarrow and Gateshead East
Context
Northumbrian Water's underspending on repairs, taking profits of £2 billion a year while pumping sewage into north-east waterways.
Will the Secretary of State commit to fining water companies up to £250 million for dumping sewage?
Ofwat has been given powers to link dividend payments to environmental performance, but no specific commitment was made regarding fining water companies up to £250 million.
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Q8 Direct Answer
Desmond Swayne Con
New Forest West
Context
The smooth snake, a threatened species, requires specific habitat conditions to thrive.
If habitats can be restored to a quality in which reptiles—in particular the smooth snake—can thrive, that will be good for all wildlife. That would be a good target, would it not?
I absolutely agree on the importance of securing the habitats and the survival of reptiles. Indeed, we will halt the decline in species abundance by 2030, and increase abundance by at least 10% to exceed 752 levels by 2042. That is all set out in our environmental plan—all 262 pages of it.
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Q9 Partial Answer
Rachael Maskell Lab Co-op
York Central
Context
Food price inflation has made it challenging for families to afford adequate nutrition, impacting children's education.
Child hunger has a significant impact on a child's ability to concentrate, as well as on their behaviour and attainment. Labour has set out that it will provide breakfasts for children in school, and where Labour is in power it is providing lunches as well. What discussions is the Secretary of State having with the Education Secretary to ensure that children do not go hungry?
This is similar to the question the hon. Lady raised earlier. The Department for Education has responsibility for free school meals, and many millions of children benefit from them in this country. I am conscious that we want to ensure that food is affordable. Food price inflation is very challenging right now, and that is why we have acted to help with aspects of food production. We continue to try to ensure that we get through this challenging time. That is why there is support through things such as the household support fund, as well as other opportunities, to make sure that no child needs to go hungry.
Assessment & feedback
Specific discussions with Education Secretary not detailed
Under Review Trying To Ensure
Response accuracy
Q10 Partial Answer
Greg Smith Con
Mid Buckinghamshire
Context
Farmer Rose Dale, the River Thame Conservation Trust and the Freshwater Habitats Trust have created a successful wetland habitat project.
It was a pleasure to welcome the Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for Taunton Deane (Rebecca Pow) to Manor Farm in Chearsley last month, to see how farmer Rose Dale, the River Thame Conservation Trust and the Freshwater Habitats Trust have created new floodplain freshwater wetland habitats. Will she congratulate everyone involved in this hugely successful project? What steps are being taken to create further such wetlands?
It was the most enjoyable and informative visit that I took part in with my hon. Friend; I ask that he pass on my thanks to Farmer Rose. The visit demonstrated the value of bringing water into the landscape; it has value for habitats and, in many other places, for flood control. Such nature-based solutions are one of the key planks of not just our flood policy but our habitat restoration project.
Assessment & feedback
Specific steps to replicate projects not detailed
Nature-Based Solutions Informative Visit
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Q11 Partial Answer
Chris Elmore Lab
Bridgend
Context
The Yellow Wellies campaign aims to improve mental health among farmers, who are at risk due to long hours of solitary work.
The Farm Safety Foundation—or Yellow Wellies, as most of us know it—has just completed a campaign to improve farmers' mental health. Will the Minister set out what actions are being taken across Government, and at a devolved level, to develop mental health support schemes for farmers? According to the Yellow Wellies survey, farmers' mental health is plummeting. We need a UK-wide strategy to offer more support.
I thank the hon. Gentleman for drawing attention to the campaign. The Yellow Wellies campaign had an action week last week; I hope he saw my contribution to that. It is very important that we recognise that mental health is a challenge in rural communities. If someone is working alone for many hours, it can lead to dark thoughts. We continue to work with charities in the sector to address the challenges those people face and to give them the support they deserve.
Assessment & feedback
Specific actions not detailed
Working To Address Continue To Work
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Q12 Direct Answer
Christopher Chope Con
Christchurch
Context
The deposit return scheme in England does not include glass bottles, unlike the one in Scotland.
Why is the deposit return scheme in England not going to include glass bottles, unlike the one in Scotland?
As my hon. Friend points out, two different schemes are proposed. We have consulted widely, in particular with industry, and that is why we have taken the decision not to include glass bottles. Glass bottles will remain in the consistent collections from the doorstep. From our consultation and stakeholder engagement, that is considered to be the best way to increase the amount of glass we recycle.
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Q13 Partial Answer
Simon Lightwood Lab Co-op
Wakefield and Rothwell
Context
The River Calder and the River Aire are among the most polluted rivers in England, according to recent statistics.
The Government's 25-year environment plan aims to deliver cleaner water for our communities. However, recent statistics show that the River Calder and the River Aire, which run through the Wakefield district, are the second and third most polluted waterways in England. The Office for Environmental Protection, the Government's own regulator, has said that progress has fallen far short. After 13 years in power, what steps is the Secretary of State taking to clean up the waterways for the people of Wakefield?
We are picking up after the inaction of the previous Labour Government—that takes time. That is why we will continue to do the work. I say to the hon. Gentleman that it is important that we work on a catchment-based approach, which is the approach that is being taken. It is important that we focus in on those rivers, which is why I am asking Natural England to make progress with assessments of sites of special scientific interest around the country, thinking particularly of rivers. It is important that we continue to work together with the people who have the rights and responsibilities of owning those waterways at a local level to make sure that the hon. Gentleman's rivers are cleaner than ever before.
Assessment & feedback
Specific steps not detailed
Picking Up After Inaction Catchment-Based Approach
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Q14 Direct Answer
Context
Ploughing under crops due to a lack of harvesters is considered an issue by some as it impacts food production.
Is the ploughing under of perfectly good crops because there is not enough labour to harvest them efficiently a success of Brexit?
The hon. Gentleman will be aware that we have increased by another 15,000 the number of visas available through the seasonal agriculture workers scheme. An extra 10,000 visas are available should the industry require them. We are supplying the industry with the labour it requires, and the scheme seems to be working very well at this moment in time.
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Q15 Partial Answer
Context
A Dogs Trust survey indicates rising concerns among dog owners about the cost of pet food, leading to potential abandonment issues. The previous question raised by David Linden focused on removing VAT from pet food.
Polling commissioned by the Dogs Trust found that almost a quarter of dog owners are worried about rising costs of dog food causing deep concern and issues of abandonment. My hon. Friend raised at the previous DEFRA questions the campaign to remove VAT from pet food. What discussions has the Secretary of State had with the Treasury, and will the coming Budget introduce measures to reduce or remove VAT from dog food?
Pets are, of course, very precious to people and, after children, are often their No. 1 priority. It is important to try to make sure that people are generous. I make a plea to dog and cat food manufacturers to help their customers at this challenging time. The Budget will take place soon, but I want to manage expectations. I do not expect changes to VAT rates for specific products, but let us do what we can to make sure that our pets get fed.
Assessment & feedback
The Secretary of State did not confirm any discussions with the Treasury on removing or reducing VAT from pet food and did not commit to such measures in the upcoming budget.
Response accuracy
Q16 Partial Answer
Context
The Secretary of State acknowledges that financial sector investment is crucial to prevent biodiversity loss. The question arises from the need to incentivise businesses to contribute.
Given the Secretary of State's view that the financial sector must invest in projects to prevent biodiversity loss, what steps are the Government taking to incentivise businesses to play their part?
We are working across Government, including with the Treasury, to identify opportunities for green finance. We absolutely recognise that in this country, but also all around the world, nature-based solutions and reducing the harm caused by public subsidies are a priority, as set out at COP15 in Montreal by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State.
Assessment & feedback
The answer does not provide specific details on government measures to incentivise businesses towards green finance but discusses priorities and ongoing work with other departments.
Response accuracy
Q17 Partial Answer
Jim Shannon DUP
Strangford
Context
Fishermen in Northern Ireland have received only £14 million out of the additional £20 million quota. The Northern Ireland protocol raises concerns for fish stocks.
I am sorry, Mr Speaker. I am so used to jumping up and sitting down, I did not realise that I had been called! Northern Ireland fishermen have received only £14 million of the additional quota of £20 million that they were due to receive. In addition, the Northern Ireland protocol poses a potentially catastrophic threat to the fishing industry. What discussions have Ministers had with the Northern Ireland Assembly and the producer organisations about the future of fish stocks in and around Northern Ireland and the Irish sea?
Of course, we have regular meetings with the devolved Administrations. We also meet the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science regularly to discuss the level of fish stocks in the sea. We want to give out those quotas in a fair and equitable way that supports the whole of the United Kingdom and all four Administrations, and we will continue to have those conversations and discussions.
Assessment & feedback
The answer does not provide specific details on discussions related to fish stocks under the protocol but mentions regular meetings with devolved administrations and CEH.
Response accuracy
Q18 Partial Answer
Context
Ministers are hesitant to visit Teesside regarding ongoing sea life deaths. The question seeks investment for further testing rather than avoiding the issue.
I am really sorry to hear that Ministers are not prepared to travel to Teesside to face local people who are concerned about ongoing sealife deaths. Ministers say that they want to find out the cause, so will they invest in further testing now rather than stick their heads in the sand?
The hon. Gentleman will have read the scientific report that says quite specifically that further investigation is highly likely to be futile and that we are quite unlikely to find that pathogen. I can say directly that if we were to analyse all the infections within the hon. Gentleman, we would find a lot of viruses that may not be relevant to his health or condition. That is the challenge. We have to find the pathogen at the moment that it is impacting on those crabs, but that moment has passed.
Assessment & feedback
The answer does not commit to further testing and instead references a scientific report suggesting such tests would be futile.
Response accuracy
Q19 Partial Answer
Context
Research reveals that tyres contain numerous chemicals linked to cancer, with potential environmental impacts through waterways.
Are you aware, Mr Speaker, that Shannon and Sheerman are going on a world tour shortly? Many of us think that the tyres on our vehicles are made wholly of rubber, but research that I have come across recently shows that that is not true. There is rubber but there are also 72 chemicals, many of which have a link to cancer. That waste goes on our roads and flows into the gutters and into our streams and rivers and the sea. What are we going to do about this ghastly poison?
That is why we have increasingly high environmental standards, considering the different chemicals that are used in products every day. We have some challenges with the recycling of certain products, such as sofas and chairs. These are ongoing issues. I am not aware of the science that the hon. Gentleman has commissioned, but I am aware of how the Government have stepped up and supported companies such as Michelin with the circular economy. We made sure that it kept its factory here so that we could have retreading and remanufacturing. It is with that sort of approach—making sure that we really promote the circular economy—that we can try to tackle some of the issues that arise from plastics.
Assessment & feedback
The answer discusses environmental standards and recycling efforts but does not provide specific details on addressing tyre chemical waste in waterways.
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