Written questions by Rosindell.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to minimise habitat loss of the native UK robin population.

Robins are not of conservation concern and as such receive no targeted conservation action. However, Government actions to restore and create more than 500,000 hectares of wildlife-rich habitat by 2042 will support a wide range of native bird species, including robin. Additionally, biodiversity net gain, which requires most planning applications to deliver a 10% increase in biodiversity compared to what was there before, will also benefit our native species through the creation of new or enhanced habitats.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of Regulation (EU) 2023/1115 on deforestation-free products on levels of beef exports.

The European Union’s Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) is EU Legislation, and therefore guidance in respect of regulatory compliance is under the responsibility of the European Commission and the Government has not made an assessment of the impact on beef exports. We are aware that the European Commission has recently published additional guidance that stakeholders have been calling for. The EU Commission has also proposed an extra 12-month phase-in period to give stakeholders additional time to prepare. If approved by the European Parliament and the Council, it would make the law applicable on 30 December 2025 for large companies and 30 June 2026 for small and medium enterprises.

Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the forthcoming end to climate and biodiversity financing commitments for the Overseas Territories.

The UK Government remains committed to supporting the UK Overseas Territories to protect their diverse and unique environments. Discussions are ongoing regarding funding for biodiversity in the Territories, as part of the Spending Review process; and there are meetings planned with FCDO ministers regarding the important role that biodiversity plays in the sustainability of our Overseas Territories.

Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, on the forthcoming end to biodiversity financing in the Overseas Territories.

The UK Government remains committed to supporting the UK Overseas Territories to protect their diverse and unique environments. Discussions are ongoing regarding funding for biodiversity in the Territories, as part of the Spending Review process; and there are meetings planned with FCDO ministers regarding the important role that biodiversity plays in the sustainability of our Overseas Territories.

Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Overseas Territories on continuity of environmental financing support.

The UK Government remains committed to supporting the UK Overseas Territories to protect their diverse and unique environments. Discussions are ongoing regarding funding for biodiversity in the Territories, as part of the Spending Review process; and there are meetings planned with FCDO ministers regarding the important role that biodiversity plays in the sustainability of our Overseas Territories.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to support the environments of the Overseas Territories in the context of the forthcoming end of nature and climate financing commitments.

The UK Government remains committed to supporting the UK Overseas Territories to protect their diverse and unique environments. Discussions are ongoing regarding funding for biodiversity in the Territories, as part of the Spending Review process; and there are meetings planned with FCDO ministers regarding the important role that biodiversity plays in the sustainability of our Overseas Territories.