Topical Questions 2022-06-23
2022-06-23
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The wine trade, especially in Southport, is growing and affected by proposed tax reforms.
The wine trade, and particularly wines produced in the UK, plays an increasing important role in Southport's food and drink industry. Will my right hon. Friend meet some of these businesses to listen to how the proposed duty reforms will affect their trade?
My hon. Friend will know that duty and tax is a matter for the Treasury, but I am more than happy to meet his constituents. The English wine industry has been a fabulous success story in recent decades.
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Assessment & feedback
The minister did not commit to meeting local businesses specifically.
Response accuracy
Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
Research highlights that poorer communities are twice as likely to live without access to natural spaces.
Given the impact covid has had on mental health and wellbeing, for many, access to the outdoors was a vital escape, but the Secretary of State will know that access is not equal. Research by Wildlife and Countryside Link highlights that the poorest communities are twice as likely to live in a neighbourhood without access to nature. What are the Government doing to ensure that every neighbourhood in every corner of England finally has access to a green and pleasant land?
We have set out some detailed proposals on this, both in our response to the Glover review, but also under the Environment Act 2021. Local authorities will be required to have local nature recovery strategies in future, and that will include commitments around public access in particular locations. We have also opened a new farming and protected landscape scheme, which is all about supporting public access to the countryside.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
Residents in Gedling received letters regarding an avian flu outbreak.
Residents in Gedling have recently received letters regarding a nearby outbreak of avian flu, and I am grateful for the work of DEFRA officials in combating that, but might my right hon. Friend be able to offer any update on when restrictions are likely to be lifted? I am particularly thinking of my constituents who race pigeons. There is a short pigeon racing season from April to September, and they are currently prevented from doing so. They would like to get on with their hobby.
As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has highlighted, we have witnessed the worst avian flu outbreaks on record in recent months, having sustained 122 cases this year. We will lift restrictions in disease control zones, including those on racing pigeons, as soon as we are able to do so, because of the biosecurity need. This week, we have announced that scientists across the UK will join forces in a major new research consortium to fight against avian flu.
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Assessment & feedback
The minister did not provide a specific timeline for lifting restrictions.
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
Almost 343,000 meals were redistributed in Glasgow South West thanks to charitable organizations.
Almost 343,000 meals were redistributed in Glasgow South West thanks to FareShare and other charitable organisations, yet FareShare says that its Government funding has been cut. Does the Secretary of State intend to meet FareShare and concerned Members of the House to discuss its funding, so that we can support its #FoodOnPlates campaign?
I met FareShare recently to discuss a particular proposal it had around trying to ensure that waste on farms was redistributed where possible. We did increase the funding for FareShare temporarily during the coronavirus pandemic, and we continue to support it, but obviously I will look into the specific case he raises.
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Assessment & feedback
The minister did not commit to a meeting with FareShare.
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
Innovative urban farming methods are being introduced to supplement traditional farming.
The UK's dependence on food imports makes it vulnerable to food insecurity and soaring prices. I know that the Minister will be joining me next week to welcome Infarm, which is bringing one of Europe's largest vertical farming facilities to Bedford. Can she reassure me that these innovative urban farming methods will supplement, not replace traditional farming methods to ensure that Britain and indeed the world is more food secure?
I am very much looking forward to visiting next Monday, and I reassure the hon. Member that while there is no silver bullet, it is important that we use everything we have available. The innovation that is coming in vertical farms, in greenhouses and so on gives us the opportunity to produce more food in the UK to feed ourselves.
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Assessment & feedback
The minister did not specifically address whether urban farming will supplement or replace traditional methods.
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
The speaker joined a visit to the Colne Valley Regional Park and wants government support for its protection.
I recently joined my neighbour, my hon. Friend the Member for Beaconsfield (Joy Morrissey) on a visit to the Colne Valley regional park, which covers a number of Members' constituencies. It is an important haven for agriculture, aquaculture and leisure. Will the Government support our campaign to improve the protections for this vital green space on the edge of London?
Our landscape review highlighted that areas of outstanding natural beauty are often just as important as national parks to their local communities, as my hon. Friend is demonstrating. We will be working with the National Association for AONBs to better reflect AONBs' significance through their name and their purposes, and we have allocated additional funding to support that this year.
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Assessment & feedback
The minister did not commit to supporting specific protections for the Colne Valley Regional Park.
Response accuracy
Q7
Direct Answer
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Context
Farmers face extreme pressure due to price spikes for fertiliser and fuel.
With prices spiking for fertiliser and vital fuels such as tractor diesel, farmers in Lincolnshire face extreme pressure on cash flow. Does my right hon. Friend agree that giving farmers the support and confidence they need to plan for the future is vital to our food security?
My hon. Friend makes an important point, and that is why we have decided this year to give the industry the confidence needed by bringing forward half of the BPS payment to July from December. That will help ease those cash-flow pressures.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q8
Partial Answer
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Context
The question follows a tribute to activists killed in the Amazon, focusing on the impact of deforestation on UK food chains.
Does the Secretary of State agree that our food chain is contaminated by products linked to deforestation, particularly livestock feed from imported soya grown in the Amazon, and that we need to do much more to stamp this out and protect activists?
The hon. Lady raises a sad case; thoughts are with the families. We have introduced legislation to push for due diligence in supply chains, requiring producers to ensure due diligence on forest-risk products.
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Assessment & feedback
The MP's specific ask about stamping out contamination was not addressed directly.
Response accuracy
Q9
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP addresses a previous year's significant decline in lobster catches off the Yorkshire coast, citing potential reasons including algal bloom and dredging.
Will the Minister publish all toxicology data available for sediment, sea water, and dead crustaceans to independent scrutiny? Is it true that recent extensive River Tees dredging is based on just one silt sample?
We are concerned about last year's mortality; algal bloom seems the most likely cause. I have made it clear that we will publish all available information, and academics must collaborate on this.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask regarding River Tees dredging was not addressed directly.
Response accuracy
Q10
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP celebrates recent flood resilience investments but warns of future risks unless upstream work is done.
What steps is the Minister taking to address upland resilience for the future?
I am pleased that the hon. Lady welcomes funding on the Foss barrier; it is a tremendous project. We are investing £200 million in projects to investigate innovative ways to deal with upstream issues and stop water before it causes problems.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy