Written questions by Dodds.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the Oxford Flood Alleviation scheme on the local area.

The Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme will better protect all properties currently at risk of flooding from the River Thames in Oxford. It will also reduce flood risk to the railway, local roads, utilities and services such as broadband which will help to keep Oxford open for business and support the tourist economy. The economic appraisal presents a very high value for money investment, delivering more than £1.8 billion in economic flood risk benefits over 100 years. The scheme has been designed to bring additional environmental benefits to the area beyond reduced flood risk. It has a nature-based design, creating a new stream and valuable wetland habitat, which will join up with existing wildlife sites. The Environment Agency recognises that there will be short term impacts on the local communities during construction, but it is working closely with the relevant stakeholders and its contractor to minimise disruption.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of air pollution on different groups by ethnicity.

While air pollution impacts many people’s health, the department recognises that these impacts are not felt equally. This is an issue that Defra takes seriously, which is why the Government commissioned the independent Air Quality Expert Group (AQEG) to examine the evidence on air pollution disparities across different communities and regions in the UK. Their report demonstrates spatial differences in pollution emissions and concentrations. There is evidence of higher air pollution concentrations being experienced by certain minority ethnicity groups. The report provides a number of recommendations to address this complex challenge, which the department is now considering and have fed through to commitments in the NHS 10 Year Plan and the Environmental Improvement Plan.

Food and Rural Affairs, what the (i) mean, (ii) median, (iii) fastest and (iv) slowest timelines were for the permitting of chemical (a) production and (b) processing sites by the Environment Agency over the last ten years.

The Environment Agency’s (EA) target assessment time to process chemical production or processing permit applications is 250 days. These permits are among the most complex the EA handles, involving thorough assessments to protect the environment and public, and to ensure operators are supported and can comply with necessary permit conditions.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether the average length of time required for chemical (a) production and (b) processing sites to be permitted by the Environment Agency varies by region.

The Environment Agency’s (EA) target assessment time to process chemical production or processing permit applications is 250 days. These permits are among the most complex the EA handles, involving thorough assessments to protect the environment and public, and to ensure operators are supported and can comply with necessary permit conditions. Over the last 12 months the EA has issued within an average of 260 days.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the time taken for the permitting of chemical (a) production and (b) processing sites by the Environment Agency on the economy.

The Environment Agency continues to review and enhance its permitting processes through its improvement programme to improve timescales and the process for applicants.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department plans to carry out a comparative assessment of the potential impact of (a) disposable, (b) reusable and (c) other environmentally-friendly period products on the environment.

Defra has no plans to carry out a comparative assessment of the environmental impact of different types of period products.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has made a comparative assessment of the environmental impact of disposable period products and (a) environmentally friendly and (b) reusable products.

Defra has not carried out a comparative assessment of the environmental impact of different types of period products.