Written questions by Shelbrooke.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 21 May 2025 to Question 52615 on Agriculture: Finance, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of not including goats in the eligibility criteria for the Animal Health and Welfare grant in the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund 2025 on goat farmers.

The Animal Health and Welfare grant scheme is part of the broader Animal Health and Welfare Pathway (the Pathway), which remains focused on the most commonly farmed species: pigs, dairy cows, beef cattle, laying hens, broiler chickens and sheep. This approach was co-designed with industry, non-government organisations and welfare scientists, and has shaped the development of the support offered, including the scope and items list for the grant. There are currently no plans to make an assessment of the impact of not including goats in the eligibility criteria as they are not one of the most commonly farmed species. The Department remains committed to working collaboratively with industry to ensure that grants are targeted towards those who need them most and where they can deliver the most benefit for food security, animal health and welfare, and nature.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to tackle littering in tourist hotspots; and how these steps are tailored to the influx of visitors during peak seasons.

Local councils are responsible for keeping public land clear of litter and refuse. The standards that they are expected to meet are set out in the Code of Practice on Litter and Refuse, which is available at: Litter and refuse: code of practice - GOV.UK. Councils will be best placed to understand littering patterns in their area. The code provides guidance on managing hotspots and seasonal variations in tourist areas. It explains that councils may need to increase cleansing activities and enforcement patrols to cope with an influx of people during peak periods.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to support community groups to (a) tackle littering and (b) promote environmental cleanliness.

The Government is proud to support and endorse national clean-up initiatives such as the Great British Spring Clean, and the Great British Beach Clean, and we will continue to use our influence to encourage as many people and businesses as possible to participate in these types of events again.Local councils are often able to support community groups such as by providing equipment for litter picking. They may also be able to arrange for the collection and disposal of any rubbish collected by these groups.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to help improve the enforcement of littering.

Local councils are responsible for taking enforcement action against littering. They can prosecute those suspected of littering which could result in a criminal record and a fine of up to £2500. Instead of prosecuting, councils may decide to issue a fixed penalty (on-the-spot) fine of up to £500. Advisory guidance on littering enforcement is available at: Litter and refuse: code of practice - GOV.UK. We are considering the benefits of placing this guidance on a statutory footing. Any announcement will be made in the usual way.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will include goat farmers in the eligibility criteria for the Animal Health and Welfare grant in the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund 2025.

Guidance for grants under the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund 2025 was published on 7 May ahead of opening to applications on 29 May. These grants are available to keepers of pigs, dairy cows, beef cattle, laying chickens, broilers and sheep.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to support (a) restocking and (b) business continuity for poultry farmers in North Yorkshire impacted by bird flu restrictions.

Local authorities are responsible for the enforcement of avian influenza controls including Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) measures. The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) works in conjunction with the Association of Chief Trading Standards Officers (ACTSO) which includes representatives from North Yorkshire Council and the Local Authority Animal Health and Welfare National Panel to disseminate information and guidance as required. Communication material is also shared with local authorities that provides up to date information and is available for use in the local community to raise awareness. North Yorkshire has seen 10 cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza confirmed in poultry during this outbreak season (2 in the Wetherby and Easingwold constituency and 8 in the Thirsk and Malton constituency) and we recognise bird keepers and local authorities are on the front line of this terrible disease. We extend our thanks to North Yorkshire Council and other local authorities for the work they do to support bird keepers and improve compliance with mandatory requirements. Defra’s avian influenza disease control measures aim to minimise the economic burden of the outbreak on the food and farming sectors, bird keepers and the wider economy. Defra works closely with both the poultry industry and wider bird keeping stakeholders and the impacts of the avian influenza outbreak are being monitored closely. When avian influenza is confirmed at a premises, in order to limit the risk of the disease spreading, all birds on the premises are humanely culled. Keepers will be paid compensation for clinically healthy birds culled by HM Government for disease control purposes as set out in the Animal Health Act 1981. Compensation is not paid for consequential losses, including business interruption caused by control measures, nor for eggs or poultry meat.

Food and Rural Affairs, if the reformed Sustainable Farming Initiative offer will limit the proportion of land holding eligible for submission.

The future Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) offer will build on what has made SFI effective so far. Defra is working closely with farmers and industry stakeholders to design a future SFI offer that fairly and responsibly directs funding. Further details about the reformed SFI offer will be announced following the spending review in summer 2025.

Food and Rural Affairs, what is the minimum notice period his Department must give to end agreements under the current terms of the Sustainable Farming Initiative.

Termination of agreements is covered by condition 15 of the Sustainable Farming Incentive 2024 terms and conditions. In some specific circumstances, agreements can be terminated by the department with immediate effect, for example if a change of circumstances means an agreement holder is no longer eligible, or if there has been a breach of the agreement. Beyond these specific circumstances, we may terminate an agreement at any time on giving at least six months’ written notice to the agreement holder.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will provide targeted funding for poultry farmers in North Yorkshire to improve on-farm biosecurity infrastructure in the context of avian influenza.

In September 2024 laying hen and pullet keepers could apply for funding to undertake large infrastructure projects to deliver excellent levels of health and welfare through the Laying Hen Housing for Health and Welfare Grant, this included funding for features such as fixed bio-secure housing and mechanical ventilation. The grant also funds constructing verandas, which can provide access to fresh air and natural light when an A.I. housing order is in force. On 29 May keepers of layer hens and broilers will be able to apply for grants of between £1,000 and £25,000 through the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund, toward the cost of a list of items that address a range of health and welfare issues including biosecurity risks.

Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with North Yorkshire Council on (a) coordination of local containment zones and (b) compensation access for affected poultry businesses.

Local authorities are responsible for the enforcement of avian influenza controls including Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) measures. The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) works in conjunction with the Association of Chief Trading Standards Officers (ACTSO) which includes representatives from North Yorkshire Council and the Local Authority Animal Health and Welfare National Panel to disseminate information and guidance as required. Communication material is also shared with local authorities that provides up to date information and is available for use in the local community to raise awareness. North Yorkshire has seen 10 cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza confirmed in poultry during this outbreak season (2 in the Wetherby and Easingwold constituency and 8 in the Thirsk and Malton constituency) and we recognise bird keepers and local authorities are on the front line of this terrible disease. We extend our thanks to North Yorkshire Council and other local authorities for the work they do to support bird keepers and improve compliance with mandatory requirements. Defra’s avian influenza disease control measures aim to minimise the economic burden of the outbreak on the food and farming sectors, bird keepers and the wider economy. Defra works closely with both the poultry industry and wider bird keeping stakeholders and the impacts of the avian influenza outbreak are being monitored closely. When avian influenza is confirmed at a premises, in order to limit the risk of the disease spreading, all birds on the premises are humanely culled. Keepers will be paid compensation for clinically healthy birds culled by HM Government for disease control purposes as set out in the Animal Health Act 1981. Compensation is not paid for consequential losses, including business interruption caused by control measures, nor for eggs or poultry meat.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the economic impact of avian influenza on poultry producers in North Yorkshire since 2022.

This Government is committed to working closely with industry to anticipate the potential social and economic risk from avian influenza, so that response strategies are as effective as possible. The joint Government and industry avian influenza taskforce has committed to publishing a full report on vaccination strategies in the UK this summer; this will include economic assessments from previous outbreaks, including the 2022 outbreak. The cross-government and industry avian influenza vaccination taskforce published an interim statement on 7 March 2025.

Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with international investors on the potential impact of extended producer responsibility on the attractiveness of the UK as an investment destination.

As part of the Government’s broader Collection and Packaging Reforms Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging will provide regulatory certainty necessary to support investment in recycling and reprocessing infrastructure across the UK and support the transition to a circular economy. Defra and senior officials from the Dutch Government have met with representatives of the UK and Dutch finance sectors to set out a path toward closer cooperation in financing a circular economy. Both sets of officials, with support from the Dutch Banking Association, invited attendees to form a Circular Economy Finance Coalition. The Coalition will identify ways to boost investment in the transition to a circular economy, including developing the necessary infrastructure and innovative business models.Investment is at the heart of the government’s growth mission, increasing the number of good, well-skilled jobs and improving productivity across the country. The UK has a strong track record attracting private investment – a testament to our strong economic foundations, including world-leading innovation, the rule of law, our ambitious transition to clean energy, and a supportive regulatory framework.The UK remains a globally competitive destination with the lowest top-line corporation tax rate in the G7 at 25%; the joint most generous capital allowances regime for plant and machinery in the OECD; and R&D tax incentives up to 27% for SMEs and the joint highest uncapped rate in the G7 for large companies.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential risk of incinerators to public health.

In England, waste incinerators cannot operate unless issued with an environmental permit by the Environment Agency (EA). The EA assesses the emissions from new incinerators as part of its permitting process and consults the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) on every application received. The UKHSA’s position is that modern, well-run and regulated municipal waste incinerators are not a significant risk to public health. This view is based on detailed assessments of the effects of air pollutants on health and on the fact that these incinerators make only a very small contribution to local and national concentrations of air pollutants.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to help tackle (a) illegal landfill sites and (b) waste crime.

The Environment Agency (EA) has a range of powers to tackle waste crime and take enforcement action. These powers, coupled with those of their partners ensure that it can confront criminals. Over the last 3 years the EA has stopped more than 1500 illegal waste sites and is now implementing powers from the Environment Act 2021 to increase funding available for enforcement work against waste crime. This Government is committed to tackling waste crime. We are considering how to continue to increase the pressure on illegal waste operators.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the (a) effectiveness of the new Border Target Operating Model and (b) threat of its use as a route to illegally import products of animal origin.

Defra has made additional funding of £1.9 million available to Dover District Council for the Port Health Authority, for the remainder of this financial year (2024 to 2025), to support Border Force to conduct safeguarding checks on the illegal import of products of animal origin. This is in addition to the £1.2 million already committed. This total funding of £3.1m million is based on the existing staffing costs provided by Dover Port Health Authority. This funding is only for this financial year. Defra has also contributed operational equipment to support Border Force with relevant checks.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to his Department's press release of 26 September 2024 entitled Immediate measures to step up safeguards against African swine fever from Europe, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of banning all personal imports of (a) pork and (b) pork products including those manufactured and packaged to EU commercial standards.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to PQ 12666 on 5 December 2024.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to his Department's press release of 26 September 2024 entitled Immediate measures to step up safeguards against African swine fever from Europe, what additional resource has been allocated to (a) Border Force and (b) Port Health Authorities to help implement those measures.

Defra continues to monitor and review the impact of the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM), including the Border Control Post at Sevington. We are working closely with industry, trade partners and enforcement agencies to minimise disruption and costs to trade, while continuing to protect our biosecurity. The effectiveness of the import controls has been demonstrated throughout September and October by the interception at Sevington of 34 consignments of plants infested with Pochazia Shantungensis, a fruit tree pest native to China but now present in mainland Europe. The consignments were destroyed, preventing the potential for a damaging outbreak for UK fruit growers. The BTOM is designed to assure the biosecurity of commercial imports. Illegal imports of products of animal origin are dealt with through separate intelligence led checks, conducted at the border by Border Force, in Border Force facilities, with the assistance of Port Health Authorities.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the (a) likelihood of an African Swine Fever outbreak in the UK and (b) potential economic impact of such an outbreak.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Epping Forest on 28 October 2024, to Question 10798.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 22 November 2024 to Question 12061 on Agriculture: Land Use, if he will commission research into the potential impact of solar farms on soil (a) carbon storage, (b) structure and (c) biodiversity.

Defra has no current plans to undertake research on the specific impact of solar farms on soil properties. We have undertaken an evidence review evaluating opportunities for agrivoltaic systems in England and Wales. Impacts on soil were not considered.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of solar farms on soil (a) carbon storage, (b) structure and (c) biodiversity.

No assessment has been made of the potential impact of solar farms on soil. When considering development proposals that affect agricultural land and soils, the Government encourages developers and local planning authorities to refer to relevant Government policies and legislation that aim to protect all soils by managing them in a sustainable way. The previous Government did not commission research into this space, so it is currently unclear what impact solar panels may have on soil properties such as carbon storage, structure and biodiversity across England. However, a solar farm development near Kenilworth (Honiley Road solar farm) reports that it delivered 135% Biodiversity Net Increase.