Every parliamentary written question tabled by Adrian Ramsay this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 1–20 of 73 · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she has taken to prohibit tail docking in pigs in the context of the new animal welfare strategy; and whether she plans to review the interpretation, application or enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 to ensure commercial interests are not prioritised over the protection of animals.
Awaiting answer.
Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her Department's policies on the pig industry’s installation of flexible immobilisation cages.
Awaiting answer.
Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the UK’s level of resilience to climate risks ahead of the Climate Change Committee Well Adapted UK report.
Awaiting answer.
Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the UK’s reliance on food imports in the context of increasing climate-driven supply shocks.
The UK Food Security Report, published by Defra every three years and last published in 2024, sets out an analysis of statistics relating to food security, serving as an evidence base to inform government policy and public understanding. It tracks trends in domestic production, import reliance, inflation, and supply chain shocks.The UK has a resilient food system, producing around 65% of all food consumed here. UK consumers have access through international trade to food products that cannot be produced here, or at least not on a year-round basis. This supplements domestic production and ensures that any disruption from risks such as adverse weather or disease does not affect the UK's overall security of supply.In most scenarios, the UK’s ability to access supply from diverse sources is vital to its resilience.
Food and Rural Affairs, whether she plans to set targets for improving the climate resilience of the UK food system.
Food production faces pressing and increasing risks from climate change and nature loss. Defra is taking action to reduce this impact and support the continued production and supply of food for UK citizens. The National Adaptation Programme sets out the actions that government and others will take to adapt to the impacts of climate change across all sectors in England, including the food supply and farming sector. The Government has committed to explore how stronger adaptation objectives can be set to improve preparedness for the impacts of climate change. This will support an ambitious and impactful fourth National Adaptation Programme due in 2028.
Food and Rural Affairs, whether she has considered the role of legislation such as a Good Food Bill in improving the resilience of the UK food system to climate change.
Defra is working across Government and the food system to drive the Good Food Cycle outcomes, and other Government priorities, over this Parliament. This includes taking action to support the resilience of the UK food system to climate change, by implementing the third National Adaptation Programme (NAP3) which sets out a range of measures to improve resilience and adaptation to climate change across the food supply and farming sector. Transforming the food system is a long-term programme of work. The Government needs to use all available tools in a balanced, evidence-led way that avoids unintended consequences for industry and the consumer. Legislation will play a role in some areas, but the Government has not yet made a decision on the need for a dedicated Food Bill.
Food and Rural Affairs, what progress has been made on the Horticulture Sector Growth Plan.
Following the first meeting of the Farming and Food Partnership Board in March, work to prepare a Sector Growth Plan for the horticulture sector is now underway. This reflects its vital role in boosting domestic production, driving growth and strengthening national food security. Meetings with horticulture sector experts have commenced to shape an industry-led, sector-owned plan that brings together government and industry expertise. This plan will identify key industry challenges and where the biggest opportunities lie to boost productivity and profitability, while cutting environmental impact and improving animal welfare, all grounded in market realities and government priorities.
Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to help improve the resilience of food supply chains to extreme weather events overseas.
The UK food supply chain is underpinned by diverse sources, robust domestic production and reliable import routes. Diversity remains a core strength, supporting response to disruptions, such as extreme weather events overseas, without significant impact on national food security. Whilst the UK currently has a high degree of food security, it cannot be taken for granted. Ongoing research through the Defra-funded Food, Farming and Natural Environment programme with the Met Office Hadley Centre will strengthen the evidence on adaptation options. It will also identify and evaluate key adaptation measures to improve the resilience of the agri-food sector, including cost and ease of implementation.
Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of climate change on food prices.
Defra works across Government to improve understanding of the drivers of food prices and their impact on households. This includes analysis of food inflation trends, engagement with industry to improve transparency where possible, and close collaboration with HM Treasury, DBT, DWP and DHSC to mitigate cost pressures on consumers, particularly those most affected by the cost of living. Defra is implementing the third National Adaptation Programme (NAP3), which sets out a range of measures to improve resilience and adaptation to climate change across the food supply and farming sector.
Food and Rural Affairs, whether the Government has made its proposed ban on the commercial import of foie gras produced by force-feeding conditional on the outcome of negotiations on a UK–EU sanitary and phytosanitary agreement.
The Government has made clear that the production of foie gras from ducks or geese using force feeding raises serious welfare concerns. Foie gras production using force feeding has been banned in the UK for nearly 20 years as it is not compatible with our animal welfare legislation. As announced at the UK-EU Leaders' Summit on 19 May 2025, the UK and EU have agreed to work towards an SPS Agreement. Negotiations with the EU on the SPS Agreement are underway and Defra cannot comment on these discussions while they are ongoing. However, this Government is clear about the importance of being able to set high animal welfare standards.
Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the installation of immobilisation cages for pigs on her Department's consultation entitled Animal Health and Welfare Pathway: mandatory proposals, published on 24 February 2026.
The consultation titled Animal Health and Welfare Pathway: mandatory proposals does not include any requirements related to immobilisation cages for pigs, so the Department has no plans to make an assessment of the potential impact.
Food and Rural Affairs, what were the species of the 28 hunting trophies for which import permits were granted by her Department between 1 July 2024 and 25 March 2026.
The species of the 28 import permits issued under purpose H (- Hunting Trophies) between 1 July 2024 and 25 March 2026 were as follows:Crocodylus niloticusGiraffa camelopardalisHippopotamus amphibius (x 4)Loxodonta Africana (x 16)Panthera leoUrsus americanus (x 3)Ursus arctos (x 2) It is important to note that a single permit does not necessarily correspond to a single animal; in some cases, multiple CITES permits may be required for an individual animal.
Food and Rural Affairs, how many import permits for hunting trophies have been issued by her Department since July 2024.
Between 1 July 2024 and 25 March 2026, the Animal and Plant Health Agency issued 28 import permits for hunting trophies under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Trade data up to 2024 is available on the CITES Trade Database.
Food and Rural Affairs, whether she is taking steps to help encourage the egg industry to end the culling of male chicks.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 21 January 2026 to the hon. Member for Mid Dorset and North Poole, PQ UIN 105878.
Food and Rural Affairs, if she will amend the The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 following the 2024 Post-Implementation Review in order to (a) make the breeding of rabbits a licensable activity, (b) require that all rabbits sold are correctly sexed, (c) provide additional resources to local authorities to strengthen enforcement, and (d) place the Code of Practice for the Welfare of Rabbits on a statutory footing, in line with the regulatory frameworks in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The Government published its Animal Welfare Strategy in December 2025, which committed to continuing to work with the sector to drive up welfare standards and improve compliance with the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 (LAIA) licensing regime, as well as working with local authorities to ensure consistent and effective enforcement. LAIA already require that anyone in the business of breeding and selling rabbits as pets must obtain a valid licence from their local authority. Licensees must meet strict statutory minimum welfare standards which are enforced by local authorities who have powers to issue, refuse or revoke licences.
Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department plans to restrict the (a) import and (b) sale of animal products produced using methods that would be illegal in the UK as part of the negotiations on the UK–EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 26 February 2026 to PQ UIN 114509.
Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department plans to seek exemptions from dynamic alignment on animal welfare in the UK–EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement; and when she next plans to report progress on negotiations to Parliament.
As announced at the UK-EU Leaders' Summit on May 19, the UK and EU have agreed to work towards a common Sanitary and Phytosanitary Area. The EU has accepted there will need to be a number of areas where the UK needs to retain our own rules. The details of these are subject to negotiation, but the Government has been clear about the importance of being able to set high animal welfare standards. While those negotiations are ongoing, Defra cannot comment further however parliament will be informed when they are concluded.
Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the definition of hunting under the Hunting Act 2004.
The Government is committed to enacting a ban on trail hunting, in line with its manifesto commitment. Defra will consult early this year on how to deliver a ban. All responses to the consultation will be considered carefully.
Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the penalties under the Hunting Act 2004; and whether the planned consultation on trail hunting will include consideration of Part 2 of that Act.
The Government is committed to enacting a ban on trail hunting, in line with its manifesto commitment. Defra will consult early this year on how to deliver a ban. All responses to the consultation will be considered carefully.
Food and Rural Affairs, whether the consultation on hunting with dogs will accept submissions on potential amendments to Schedule 1 of the Hunting Act 2004.
The Government is committed to enacting a ban on trail hunting, in line with its manifesto commitment. Defra will consult early this year on how to deliver a ban. All responses to the consultation will be considered carefully.