Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Thursday 23 June 2022 · 10 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 3 Partly answered 7 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Damien Moore inquired about the impact of proposed duty reforms on the UK wine industry, and the Minister offered to meet with his constituents.
  • Jim McMahon questioned the Secretary of State about unequal access to the outdoors, particularly affecting poorer communities, and was informed of government proposals under the Environment Act 2021.
  • Tom Randall sought an update on avian flu restrictions near his constituents, and the Minister confirmed that restrictions would be lifted as soon as it was safe to do so.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Damien Moore Con
Taxation Business & Trade
Context

The wine trade, especially in Southport, is growing and affected by proposed tax reforms.

Question

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?

Answer from George Eustice

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The minister did not commit to meeting local businesses specifically.

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Q2 Jim McMahon Labour (Co-op) Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton
Mental Health Environment
Context

Research highlights that poorer communities are twice as likely to live without access to natural spaces.

Question

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?

Answer from George Eustice

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.

Answered
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Q3 Tom Randall
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

Residents in Gedling received letters regarding an avian flu outbreak.

Question

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.

Answer from Jo Churchill

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The minister did not provide a specific timeline for lifting restrictions.

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Q4 Chris Stephens SNP
Benefits & Welfare
Context

Almost 343,000 meals were redistributed in Glasgow South West thanks to charitable organizations.

Question

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?

Answer from George Eustice

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The minister did not commit to a meeting with FareShare.

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Q5 Mohammad Yasin Lab Bedford
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

Innovative urban farming methods are being introduced to supplement traditional farming.

Question

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?

Answer from Jo Churchill

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The minister did not specifically address whether urban farming will supplement or replace traditional methods.

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Q6 David Simmonds Con Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner
Agriculture & Rural Affairs Environment
Context

The speaker joined a visit to the Colne Valley Regional Park and wants government support for its protection.

Question

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?

Answer from Rebecca Pow

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The minister did not commit to supporting specific protections for the Colne Valley Regional Park.

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Q7 Gareth Davies Con Grantham and Bourne
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

Farmers face extreme pressure due to price spikes for fertiliser and fuel.

Question

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?

Answer from George Eustice

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.

Answered
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Q8 Kerry McCarthy Lab Bristol East
Agriculture & Rural Affairs Environment
Context

The question follows a tribute to activists killed in the Amazon, focusing on the impact of deforestation on UK food chains.

Question

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?

Answer from George Eustice

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The MP's specific ask about stamping out contamination was not addressed directly.

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Q9 Robert Goodwill Con
Environment
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.

Question

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?

Answer from Victoria Prentis

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask regarding River Tees dredging was not addressed directly.

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Q10 Rachael Maskell Labour (Co-op) York Central
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The MP celebrates recent flood resilience investments but warns of future risks unless upstream work is done.

Question

What steps is the Minister taking to address upland resilience for the future?

Answer from Rebecca Pow

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.

Answered
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