Every parliamentary written question tabled by Ben Goldsborough this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 41–51 of 51 · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Food and Rural Affairs, how many Water Abstraction Licenses were not renewed in each of the last 10 financial years.
Financial YearNumber of water abstraction licences that were not renewed because no renewal application was received, the application was withdrawn or rejected as incompleteNumber of water abstraction licences that were not renewed because the application was refused 2016-201714502017-201819172018-20194712019-20203902020-20214002021-20227112022-20234302023-20241022
Food and Rural Affairs, how many Water Abstraction License applications were (a) made and (b) granted in each of the last 10 financial years.
a) Applications for new full licences, normal variations and substantial variations: 2015-20162016-20172017-20182018-20192019-20202020-20212021-20222022-20232023-20242024-2025TotalTotal20632031168212604254832432652194475 b) Of those applications, granted licences below: 2015-20162016-20172017-20182018-20192019-20202020-20212021-20222022-20232023-20242024-2025TotalTotal642542802884065534955563181463370
Food and Rural Affairs, how many Water Abstraction Licenses were operational in each of the last 10 financial years.
The table below shows the number of water abstraction licences (temporary, full and transfer) live for all or part of the financial year for each of the last ten financial years. Financial yearNo. of water abstraction licences1 April 2014 to 31 March 2015182341 April 2015 to 31 March 2016180271 April 2016 to 31 March 2017177651 April 2017 to 31 March 2018172491 April 2018 to 31 March 2019171001 April 2019 to 31 March 2020169401 April 2020 to 31 March 2021171841 April 2021 to 31 March 2022173861 April 2022 to 31 March 2023178141 April 2023 to 31 March 202417779
Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to support the horticulture sector.
The Government appreciates and values the vital work of the horticulture industry and, as part of our mission-driven government, we are committed to working with colleagues across Whitehall to support the sector. Underlining this commitment, the Seasonal Worker visa route has been confirmed for 2025, with a total of 43,000 Seasonal Worker visas available for horticulture next year. This is broadly the same allocation as the sectors received in 2023 and 2024, which comfortably met demand. This will help the sector secure the labour and skills needed to bring high quality British produce to market. We are also continuing support for crop Genetic Improvement Networks (GINs) investing in R&D for breeding to improve crop varieties supporting crop resilience and efficiency.
Food and Rural Affairs, (a) how many and (b) what value of water resource management grants were (i) granted and (ii) rejected by the Rural Payments Agency in each of the last 10 financial years.
The following table lists the answer: Qty RejectedValue RejectedQty GrantedValue Granted2017/180£ -2£215,974.422018/1911£1,708,260.72121£8,912,028.962019/2014£20,762.30179£ 311,127.362020/215£5,374.00201£ 203,902.002021/220£ -0£ -2022/23103£3,287,841.96381£2,698,059.352023/2419£2,047,450.67423£6,811,257.632024/257£393,871.55329£1,673,697.22
Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of exempting Controlled Environment Facilities from Biodiversity Net Gain requirements.
Following consultation in 2022, exemptions to the biodiversity net gain requirement set out within the regulations are narrow and focussed. This keeps the policy ambitious, whilst being proportionate and deliverable for developers and local authorities. My officials engage widely with stakeholders involved in delivering biodiversity net gain to increase our understanding of overall implementation. We will continue to engage with the horticulture sector and others, with evidence from industry to substantiate any suggested improvements to the requirement being crucial.
Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the Government's proposed planning reforms on food security.
This Government places great importance on our agricultural land and food production. The National Planning Policy Framework sets out how the best and most versatile agricultural land should be reflected in planning policies and decisions. The Framework is also clear that where significant development of agricultural land is demonstrated to be necessary, areas of poorer quality land should be preferred to those of a higher quality. Food security is national security, which is relevant to all five Government missions and central to our primary mission to grow the economy. Boosting Britain’s food security is one of the core priorities of this Government. We need a resilient and healthy food system that works with nature and supports British farmers. The only way to do this effectively is to listen to farmers and others with a stake in our food system, countryside and nature. We will consider relevant evidence and analysis, including that contained in Henry Dimbleby’s National Food Strategy, as we develop our plans to support our farmers and food and drink businesses, boost food security, invest in rural communities, deliver growth, manage waste more effectively across the supply chain, improve resilience to climate change and tackle biodiversity loss.
Food and Rural Affairs, if his Department will work with the relevant control bodies to enable vertical farms to apply for organic accreditation.
Organic production is internationally recognised as a soil-based system, that is strictly regulated by assimilated organic Regulations 834/2007 and 889/2008. Vertical farming relies on hydroponic production, the method of growing plants with their roots in a mineral nutrient solution or in an inert medium, which is specifically prohibited within organic production systems. Therefore, it is not possible to certify vertical farming as organic.
Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the impact of Biodiversity Net Gain regulations on Controlled Environment Agriculture.
Following consultation in 2022, exemptions to the biodiversity net gain requirement set out within the regulations are narrow and focussed. This keeps the policy ambitious, whilst being proportionate and deliverable for developers and local authorities. My officials engage widely with stakeholders involved in delivering biodiversity net gain to increase our understanding of overall implementation. We will continue to engage with the horticulture sector and others, with evidence from industry to substantiate any suggested improvements to the requirement being crucial.
Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the Government’s intended planning reforms on Controlled Environment Agriculture.
The Government is committed to a prosperous horticulture sector. Unlocking innovation is integral to enabling our growers to improve productivity sustainably, and to contribute to our food security. We are working with the industry to stimulate this, including through the adoption of Controlled Environmental Agriculture (CEA) technologies enabling crops to be grown and harvested year-round in a climate-controlled environment. We are committed to working across Government and are reviewing responses to the recently closed consultation which asked for sector views on our proposed approach to revising the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).
Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of creating a new national accreditation for sustainable Controlled Environment Agriculture food production.
The Government is committed to a prosperous horticulture sector. Unlocking innovation is integral to enabling our growers to improve productivity sustainably, and to contribute to our food security. We are working with the industry to stimulate this, including through the adoption of Controlled Environmental Agriculture (CEA) technologies enabling crops to be grown and harvested year-round in a climate-controlled environment. The United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) is the sole National Accreditation Body for the United Kingdom.