Every parliamentary written question tabled by Adam Jogee this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 41–60 of 97 · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on the adequacy of food security.
The UK has a resilient food supply chain and is equipped to deal with situations with the potential to cause disruption. Defra regularly meets with Cabinet Office, other Government Departments, Devolved Governments on resilience planning, including food security.
Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the resilience of the food system.
The UK has a resilient food supply chain and is equipped to deal with situations with the potential to cause disruption. The United Kingdom Food Security Report (UKFSR) sets out an analysis of statistical data relating to food security in the UK, fulfilling the duty in the Agriculture Act 2020 to present a report on food security to Parliament at least once every three years. The first UKFSR was produced in 2021. The most recent UKFSR was published on 11th December 2024. The UKFSR examines past, current, and future trends relevant to food security to present the best available understanding of food security at the time of publication.
Food and Rural Affairs, what recent steps she has taken to protect food security.
The Food Sector is one of the UK's 13 Critical National Infrastructure sectors. Defra and the Food Standards Agency (FSA) are joint Lead Government Departments (LGDs), with Defra leading on supply and the FSA on food safety. We work closely with the Cabinet Office and other LGDs ensuring food supply is fully incorporated as part of emergency preparedness, including consideration of dependencies on other sectors. Defra works with industry and across Government to monitor risks that may arise. This includes extensive, regular and ongoing engagement in preparedness for, and response to, issues with the potential to cause disruption to food supply chains.
Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the impact of the plastic waste export regime on recycling figures in a) Newcastle-under-Lyme, b) Staffordshire and c) England.
Waste plastic can generally only be exported from the UK for recycling. Where the UK cannot currently recycle materials economically, including plastic waste collected in Newcastle Under-Lyme, Staffordshire, and the wider country, exports can help ensure those materials are recycled rather than landfilled. No specific assessment has been made of the adequacy of the impact of the plastic waste export regime on recycling figures in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire or England.
Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to promote domestic recycling.
The Simpler Recycling reforms will ensure that across England, people will be able to recycle the same materials, whether at home, work or school. Every household and workplace (businesses and relevant non-domestic premises like schools and hospitals) across England will be able to recycle the same materials in the following core waste streams: metal, glass, plastic (including cartons), paper and card, food waste, and garden waste (for households only). These reforms will make recycling easier and ensure there is a comprehensive, consistent service across England. This will reduce confusion with recycling to improve recycling rates, ensuring there is more recycled material in the products we buy, and that the UK recycling industry will grow. By 31 March 2026, local authorities will be required to collect the core recyclable waste streams from all households in England. This includes introducing weekly food waste collections for all homes, unless a transitional arrangement applies (a transitional arrangement is where a local authority has agreed a later implementation date set in regulations).
Food and Rural Affairs, what fiscal measures her Department has considered to promote domestic recycling in (a) Staffordshire and (b) England.
The provision of funding to Local Authorities to support timely and effective implementation of Simpler Recycling will increase recycling rates by ensuring the same materials can be recycled at home, at work or on the go. We have already provided over £340 million in transitional funding to LAs for weekly food waste collections, and from 2026 onwards, the Local Government Finance Settlement will include funding for local authorities to deliver Simpler Recycling as part of the Collection and Packaging waste reforms. Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging (pEPR) provides funding to Local Authorities across the UK of c. £1.4 billion per annum and will incentivise a more efficient and effective services and higher rates of recycling. The PRN system (Packaging Waste Recycling Note), used by producers to meet legal recycling obligations, provides a mechanism to drive investment by providing revenue to recyclers. My officials are currently considering options to incentivise domestic recycling over export through reforms to the PRN system.
Food and Rural Affairs, whether she plans to take steps to help support the work of the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust.
Defra’s Farming in Protected Landscapes Programme (FiPL) has supported Staffordshire Wildlife Trust through the Cannock Chase National Landscape, with several projects including wetland and river restoration, heathland restoration with volunteer engagement, and support for white clawed crayfish conservation. The EA has long worked closely with the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust to help develop and deliver projects to improve rivers and watercourses. The EA supports this work through their Environment Programme. EA funding is helping to deliver projects across the Trent Headwaters, Stafford, and Cannock areas.
Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the (a) adequacy of the her Department's support for farmers and (b) effectiveness of the work of the Rural Payments Agency since 5 September 2025.
The Government is backing British farming, prioritising investment that supports the Government’s Plan for Change and building on the Secretary of State’s work to reform Defra to drive growth while maintaining a steadfast commitment to farming, food security, and nature’s recovery. We are investing more than £2.7bn a year in farming and nature recovery, with funding for the Environmental Land Management Schemes paid to farmers increasing by 150% from £800m in 2023/24 to £2bn by 2028/29. The effectiveness of the RPA is a priority. Since 5 September the RPA has opened the Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier Scheme and supported the recent announcement regarding extensions to Countryside Stewardship Mid-Tier agreements, which the RPA will now operationalise. I have met the interim CEO and the newly appointed permanent CEO of the RPA and will ensure there is regular and effective Ministerial oversight of the Agency’s performance.
Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the (a) adequacy of services provided to farmers by the Rural Payments Agency and (b) effectiveness of the work of that agency since 5 September 2025.
Ensuring the adequacy of services provided by the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) and the effectiveness of the RPA is a priority. Since 5 September the RPA has opened the Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier Scheme and supported the recent announcement regarding extensions to Countryside Stewardship Mid-Tier agreements, which the RPA will now operationalise. I have met the interim CEO and the newly appointed permanent CEO of the RPA and will ensure there is regular and effective Ministerial oversight of the Agency’s performance.
Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the Environment Agency’s enforcement and sanctions policy, updated 2 October 2025; and whether she has discussed this document with the Environment Agency's board since her appointment.
The Environment Agency’s (EA) principal aim is to protect and enhance the environment and contribute to sustainable development. The EA’s enforcement and sanctions policy, last updated on 10 October 2025, sets out how the organisation aims to use its enforcement powers efficiently and effectively to secure compliance with laws that protect the environment. The department works closely with EA officials at every level to assess performance and delivery and provide constructive challenge and support. Defra ministers meet regularly with the EA Chair and Chief Executive to discuss performance across the EA’s remit.
Food and Rural Affairs, whether she has had recent discussions with the British Pest Control Association on its document entitled A manifesto for public health pest management, published in June 2024.
No Minister at Defra has held discussions with the British Pest Control Association on its document entitled ‘A manifesto for public health pest management’, published in June 2024.
Food and Rural Affairs, what engagement she has had with the Tenant Farmers Association since her appointment.
Ministers have engaged with the Tenants Farmers Association (TFA) and regularly engage with many farming stakeholders. The Government is committed to ensuring agricultural tenancies are fair and collaborative and will work with the TFA to achieve this.
Food and Rural Affairs, whether she plans to meet the leadership of the National Farmers' Union.
As part of their Ministerial responsibilities, both the Secretary of State and her farming Minister meet routinely with farming organisations.
Food and Rural Affairs, whether she plans to meet the (a) President and (b) Vice President of the Ulster Farmers' Union.
As part of their Ministerial responsibilities, both the Secretary of State and her farming Minister meet routinely with farming organisations.
Food and Rural Affairs, whether she plans to meet the leadership of the Countryside Alliance.
As part of their Ministerial responsibilities, both the Secretary of State and her farming Minister meet routinely with farming organisations.
Food and Rural Affairs, whether she has had discussions with her counterparts in the devolved Administrations since her appointment.
Since her appointment the Secretary of State has held meetings to discuss a range of shared priorities with the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in Northern Ireland, the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands in the Scottish Government, and the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs in the Welsh Government.
Food and Rural Affairs, , what steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help tackle safety risks associated with landfill sites.
It is important that waste is managed safely in a way which does not pose risks to people or the environment. Operators of landfill sites in England are required by the Environmental Permitting (England & Wales) Regulations 2016 to hold an environmental permit. The regulatory framework in place is designed to serve operators and protect the local community. Where poor performance does occur the Environment Agency has a range of powers to bring sites back into compliance and, where necessary, to take enforcement action against operators. The Government also recognises the importance of managing land contamination, including from historic landfill sites, to protect human health and the environment. Under Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, local authorities have a statutory duty to inspect their areas to identify contaminated land and require appropriate remediation where necessary. Defra supports local authorities in fulfilling their duties through the Contaminated Land Statutory Guidance, which sets out the legal framework for risk assessment and decision-making under Part 2A.
Food and Rural Affairs, what financial support he is giving to farmers to conduct tuberculosis tests on their cattle.
The Government funds the cost of routine bovine tuberculosis (bTB) testing through contracts with veterinary delivery partners. The Government also pays compensation for cattle compulsorily slaughtered to control the spread of bTB.
Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of the state of the UK dairy sector.
This Government recognises that food security is national security, and that this requires a resilient and healthy food system that works with nature and supports our farmers, including those in the UK’s world leading dairy sector. Our dairy industry is a vibrant and resilient sector worth £5-£6 billion at farm level, and many times that when the milk produced is processed into a diverse range of products and commodities. This has helped make the dairy industry the UK’s largest agricultural sector accounting for 19% of total 2023 UK agricultural output, bringing significant value to our economy.
Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the National Beef Association.
We engage regularly with a number of key stakeholders, including the National Beef Association, to discuss a wide range of issues affecting the beef sector that are important to both producers and processors.