Every parliamentary written question tabled by Andrew Snowden this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 101–120 of 234 · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to support local authorities and coastal agencies in ensuring public safety during periods of increased jellyfish activity along the coast of Fylde constituency.
Responsibility for safety on the beach sits with the local authority or beach owner. In conjunction with other services HM Coastguard provides safety advice and guidance about the coastal environment.
Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 8 September 25 to Question 73558 on Veterans: World War II, if her Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of commemorating the contribution of British famers to national security (a) through their service in the Home Guard and (b) supervision of prisoners of war during the Second World War.
We have no current plans to create initiatives in respect of commemorating the role of British farmers in maintaining national security during the Second World War. In May, Defra relaunched the Women’s Land Army and Timber Corps Scheme, a civilian veteran service medal scheme recognising those women volunteers who took on roles traditionally done by the men away at war by cultivating crops used to help feed the nation.
Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make an assessment of the effectiveness of environmental protection legislation to limit noise pollution from roadworks in built-up areas on weekends.
The Government is committed to ensuring that noise is managed effectively to promote good health and minimise disruption to people’s quality of life. Section 60 of the Control of Pollution Act allows Local Authorities to address noise from construction sites, including roadworks, by serving a notice imposing requirements as to how the construction may be carried out. This notice may specify a range of conditions, including hours during which the work can be carried out, and the level of noise that may be emitted during specific hours. While there the law does not specify permitted hours for works, weekend work involving noise is commonly restricted to the hours between 8am and 1pm on a Saturday, although there may be circumstances where a Local Authority deems the work to be of sufficient priority for work to be carried out outside of these hours. In all cases, Local Authorities are required under the Control of Pollution Act to ensure best practicable means are employed to minimise noise and protect people in the locality from the effects of noise. The law is designed to enable decisions to be made while taking into account the specifics of a local context.
Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a mechanism allowing dog owners to apply for the un-exemption of dogs previously exempted as XL Bully type.
We are currently working to develop a withdrawal scheme so that owners who no longer believe that their dog is an XL Bully can apply to have their certificate of exemption for their dog withdrawn. Information about this process will be available soon.
Food and Rural Affairs, what guidance his Department provide to (a) local authorities and (b) the police on the reassessment of exempted dogs where owners believe the dogs were wrongly classified as XL Bully type.
We are currently working to develop a withdrawal scheme so that owners who no longer believe that their dog is an XL Bully can apply to have their certificate of exemption for their dog withdrawn. Information about this process will be available soon.
Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to develop an effective vaccine for bluetongue virus serotype 3.
Defra began working with vaccine manufacturers in 2024 to ensure BTV-3 vaccines were available at the earliest opportunity, and three vaccines have been available in England since September 2024. These vaccines are widely available through normal veterinary wholesalers.
Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to prevent the spread of bluetongue BTV3 disease among animals in England.
Defra’s disease control measures aim to limit the spread of infection, whilst balancing the burdens of controls against the benefits of eradication of bluetongue. Defra acted quickly to contain bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) when the first case was detected on 26 August 2024, implementing zones with movement controls on susceptible livestock to prevent spread. These disease control restrictions have been adapted in response to new findings and there is now a single restricted zone (RZ) covering the whole of England. This change was made because the area in England where disease has been found is now too large for movement restrictions to remain an effective and proportionate way of controlling the disease. Vaccination remains the most effective long-term approach for reducing the impacts of bluetongue disease throughout the UK. Defra has permitted the use of vaccines for BTV-3 and these vaccines are now widely available for vets to prescribe in England.We urge farmers to consider vaccination in consultation with their private vet. Defra and APHA continue to test animals with suspect clinical signs and remain vigilant for any new serotypes or changes in clinical signs, and are working closely with key industry stakeholders to review how we approach controls for BTV-3.
Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to help ensure that Lancashire cheesemakers can access the benefits of the new Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement on equal terms with other UK artisan exporters.
We will agree a Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement to make agrifood trade with our biggest market cheaper and easier, cutting costs and red tape for British producers and retailers. GB goods such as dairy are currently subject to 100% documentary checks and up to 30% physical checks when exported to the EU. An SPS deal will see these removed entirely.We are committed to working closely with businesses across the UK to ensure they are able to take advantage of the benefits the Agreement will provide.
Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to (a) monitor and (b) help control the spread of Culicoides midges, the vectors of bluetongue virus serotype 3, in high-risk areas.
Defra’s bluetongue disease control measures aim to limit the spread of BTV infection through proportionate and evidence-based control measures, whilst balancing the burdens of controls against the benefits of slowing the spread of bluetongue and minimising the cost of any outbreak both to Government and farmers. Vector control is not an effective control measure and vaccination remains the most effective long-term approach for reducing the impacts of bluetongue disease throughout the UK. Defra has permitted the use of vaccines for BTV-3 and these vaccines are now widely available for vets to prescribe in England. The Government conducts annual targeted surveillance for BTV. This is designed to detect new serotypes of bluetongue virus, including BTV-12 that may be circulating. The annual surveillance uses diagnostic testing protocols at the bluetongue national reference laboratory, The Pirbright Institute, that can detect and differentiate between different serotypes of bluetongue virus including BTV-12.
Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to respond to the outbreak of bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3) in the UK.
Defra’s approach to bluetongue virus (BTV) considers the latest scientific evidence and veterinary advice and aim to limit the spread of infection through proportionate and evidence-based control measures with the aim of slowing the spread of disease through movement controls while safe and effective vaccines were developed. On 1st July 2025 the restricted zone for bluetongue was extended to cover all of England. Susceptible animals can now move freely within England without a specific bluetongue licence or pre-movement testing. This change was implemented because the movement controls were no longer proportionate or effective. Disease control is a devolved matter. Defra works closely with the Devolved Governments with the aim of providing, where possible, a consistent and coordinated response across the UK. Vaccination remains the most effective long-term approach for reducing the impacts of bluetongue disease throughout the UK. Defra has permitted the use of vaccines for BTV-3 and these vaccines are now available for vets to prescribe in England.
Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to introduce extended producer responsibility regulations for fashion retailers.
The Government has convened a Circular Economy Taskforce of experts to help develop the first ever Circular Economy Strategy for England, which it plans to publish for consultation in the coming autumn. The Circular Economy Taskforce will initially focus on six sectors that have the greatest potential to grow the economy, one of which is Textiles. The Circular Economy Taskforce recognises the importance of an extended producer responsibility (EPR) scheme for textiles. As we develop the strategy, we will consider the evidence for action right across the economy and evaluate what interventions may be needed, including but not limited to EPR.
Food and Rural Affairs, what recent estimate he has made of the volume of textile waste generated from fast fashion annually.
While we do not hold any internal estimates on fast fashion waste volumes in the UK, industry partners provide some insight. WRAP estimates that the UK generated approximately 1.45 million tonnes of post-consumer textiles in 2022, which includes clothing, household linens and more. WRAP does not isolate a proportion of this as fast fashion. However, they note that low-quality textile goods are saturating secondary markets, with the average person in the UK throwing 35 items of unwanted textiles straight into the general waste each year, demonstrating the fast turnover of clothing. Meanwhile, figures from BusinessWaste indicate that 300,000 tonnes of clothing waste enter household bins annually in the UK, with much of this likely being fast fashion.
Food and Rural Affairs, what funding is available for residents to plant trees in urban areas.
Defra’s Nature for Climate Fund provides support for urban trees through grants including the Community Forest’s Trees for Climate programme and also the Trees Outside Woodland Fund. The Trees Outside Woodland Fund launched in June 2025, administered by the Tree Council and funded by Defra. It offered grants between £10,000 and £40,000 to support tree planting in urban and peri-urban areas across England. The fund was open to local authorities and registered charities with a turnover exceeding £100,000, and projects must be completed by 2 March 2026. Applications were open from 10 June to 31 October 2025. The funds are now fully allocated for this financial year.
Food and Rural Affairs, if he will consider requiring insurers participating in the Flood Re scheme to include surface water flooding coverage as standard.
The Flood Reinsurance (Scheme Funding and Administration) Regulations 2015 define a “flood” as “water, from any source external to a building, which enters a building…at or below ground level, or above ground level, provided that part of the body of such water is at ground level; and does so with a volume, weight or force which is substantial and abnormal". Therefore, under this definition, surface water flooding is included as standard within the Flood Re scheme’s offer. Insurance companies can choose to cede the flood risk element of an eligible household policy to Flood Re if the Schemes premium for that is lower than they can otherwise offer. Flood Re does not have any involvement in or influence over individual insurers’ decisions to cede policies.
Food and Rural Affairs, what insurance support is available for homeowners whose properties were built after 2009.
Planning policy is clear that that inappropriate development in floodplains should be avoided. Where development is necessary in a flood risk area, it should be made flood resistant, resilient and safe for their lifetime, without increasing flood risk elsewhere. It is important to shop around to find an affordable premium as individual insurers consider different factors in setting their premiums. Householders can use the Flood Insurance Directory at www.biba.org.uk.find-insurance to find an appropriate insurance service or speak to someone at BIBAs Find and insurance service on 0370 950 1790. Householders should ensure that the cover is suitable for their individual circumstances.
Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure sustainable urban drainage systems are effectively (a) adopted and (b) maintained.
The Government is strongly committed to improving the implementation of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) and we are looking at what additional steps might be taken to support this. Better delivery of SuDS may be achieved by continuing to improve the current planning policy-based approach and looking at ways of improving the approach to adoption and maintenance, rather than commencing schedule 3 to the Flood and Water Management Act 2010. A final decision on this matter will be made in the coming months. We have made some immediate changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) to support increased delivery of SuDS. The NPPF now requires all development to utilise SuDS where they could have drainage impacts. These systems should be appropriate to the nature and scale of the proposed development. See paragraphs 181 and 182 of the NPPF. In June this year, the Government introduced new national standards, making clear that SuDS should be designed to cope with changing climatic conditions as well as delivering wider water infrastructure benefits in the form of flood prevention and storm overflow reduction, offering reuse opportunities, reducing run off, and helping to improve water quality, amenity, and biodiversity.
Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of adopting the Welsh model of sustainable urban drainage systems approving bodies in England.
The Government is strongly committed to improving the implementation of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) and we are looking at what additional steps might be taken to support this. The Welsh Government adopted Schedule 3 as the delivery model for SuDS in 2019. Better delivery of SuDS may be achieved by continuing to improve the current planning policy-based approach and looking at ways of improving the approach to adoption and maintenance, rather than commencing schedule 3 to the Flood and Water Management Act 2010. A final decision on this matter will be made in the coming months. We have made some immediate changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) to support increased delivery of SuDS. The NPPF now requires all development to utilise SuDS where they could have drainage impacts. These systems should be appropriate to the nature and scale of the proposed development. See paragraphs 181 and 182 of the NPPF. In June this year, the Government introduced new national standards, making clear that SuDS should be designed to cope with changing climatic conditions as well as delivering wider water infrastructure benefits in the form of flood prevention and storm overflow reduction, offering reuse opportunities, reducing run off, and helping to improve water quality, amenity, and biodiversity.
Food and Rural Affairs, if he will consider introducing a reinsurance scheme similar to Flood Re for properties built after 2009.
Planning policy is clear that that inappropriate development in floodplains should be avoided. Where development is necessary in a flood risk area, it should be made flood resistant, resilient and safe for their lifetime, without increasing flood risk elsewhere. It is important to shop around to find an affordable premium as individual insurers consider different factors in setting their premiums. Householders can use the Flood Insurance Directory at www.biba.org.uk.find-insurance to find an appropriate insurance service or speak to someone at BIBAs Find and insurance service on 0370 950 1790. Householders should ensure that the cover is suitable for their individual circumstances.
Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department plans to bring schedule 3 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 into force in England.
The Government is strongly committed to improving the implementation of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) and we are looking at what additional steps might be taken to support this. Better delivery of SuDS may be achieved by continuing to improve the current planning policy-based approach and looking at ways of improving the approach to adoption and maintenance, rather than commencing schedule 3 to the Flood and Water Management Act 2010. A final decision on this matter will be made in the coming months. We have made some immediate changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) to support increased delivery of SuDS. The NPPF now requires all development to utilise SuDS where they could have drainage impacts. These systems should be appropriate to the nature and scale of the proposed development. See paragraphs 181 and 182 of the NPPF. In June this year, the Government introduced new national standards, making clear that SuDS should be designed to cope with changing climatic conditions as well as delivering wider water infrastructure benefits in the form of flood prevention and storm overflow reduction, offering reuse opportunities, reducing run off, and helping to improve water quality, amenity, and biodiversity.
Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of recycling infrastructure in handling textile waste from fast fashion.
While we do not hold any internal estimates on fast fashion waste volumes in the UK, industry partners provide some insight. WRAP estimates that the UK generated approximately 1.45 million tonnes of post-consumer textiles in 2022, which includes clothing, household linens and more. WRAP-Textiles-Market-Situation-Report-2024.pdf WRAP does not isolate a proportion of this as fast fashion. However, they note that low-quality textile goods are saturating secondary markets, with the average person in the UK throwing 35 items of unwanted textiles straight into the general waste each year, demonstrating the fast turnover of clothing. The price of our addiction to cheap fast fashion as pressure builds on UK second hand clothing market | WRAP - The Waste and Resources Action Programme Meanwhile, figures from BusinessWaste indicate that 300,000 tonnes of clothing waste enter household bins annually in the UK, with much of this likely being fast fashion. Fashion Waste Statistics & Facts | Textile & Clothing Waste Facts The department hasn't made any recent assessments on the effectiveness of recycling infrastructure, however we continue to monitor evidence. Within the Circular Economy Strategy, the Government is developing policy measures to improve circularity in the textiles sector.