Written questions by Obese-Jecty.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment has she made of the potential implications for her polices of trends in levels of tree canopy cover in Huntingdonshire since 2022.

Awaiting answer.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps is she taking to with the devolved Administrations to record the level of tree felling across the UK.

Awaiting answer.

Food and Rural Affairs, what progress has she made in ensuring that 50% of food across the public sector is UK-sourced.

Awaiting answer.

Food and Rural Affairs, what proportion of the UK's chicken supply was imported from China in (a) 2024-25 and (b) 2025-26.

Defra publishes quarterly data on poultry meat production, trade and supplies on GOV.UK (Latest cattle, sheep and pig slaughter statistics - GOV.UK). Data is not available specifically for imports and supply of chicken meat. Annual data on total poultry meat imports from China as a proportion of total UK poultry meat supplies is provided in the table below. Table 1: Total poultry meat imports from China as a proportion of total UK poultry meat supplies, thousand tonnes dressed carcase weight equivalent (th tonnes dcw) YearUK total new poultry meat supply (th tonnes dcw)UK imports of poultry meat from China1 (th tonnes dcw)UK imports of poultry meat from China1 as a % of total new supply20242,463.20.190.008%202522,552.20.070.003% Table Notes:1) Imports from China have been defined on a Country of dispatch basis2) Data for 2025 is provisional

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment has he made of the potential impact of the classification of water at Grafham Water on the water supply in Huntingdon constituency.

Grafham Water is 85% full with no concerns for water supplies in Huntingdon, but refill was delayed by high nitrate levels.The Environment Agency continues to work with the water industry through the Asset Management Plan process and partnership projects so that appropriate catchment management and water treatment are in place to ensure that water supplies are safe and secure.

Food and Rural Affairs, how many personnel are assigned to the Tactical Delivery Group for bat crime.

The bat crime Tactical Delivery Group (TDG) is comprised of around 40 representatives from several key stakeholder organisations, including the police and the National Wildlife Crime Unit. A Defra representative attends as required. There is a TDG for each of five national wildlife crime priorities. The priority areas are those which have been assessed as posing the greatest current threat to either the conservation status of a species or which show the highest volume of crime and therefore require a UK-wide tactical response. Each TDG is required to report to the UK Tasking and Coordination Group (UKTCG) (on which Defra is represented) twice a year. This allows the UKTCG to oversee the activities of the TDG and ensure its objectives are being met. Each TDG is supported by the National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU), which helps prevent and detect wildlife crime by obtaining and disseminating intelligence, undertaking analysis which highlights local or national threats and directly assisting law enforcers in their investigations. Defra is a principal funder of the NWCU and is providing £530,000 for the Unit in the financial year 2026-27. The NWCU holds TDGs accountable and sets their objectives which link back to an overarching national wildlife crime strategy.

Food and Rural Affairs, if she will hold discussions with Cabinet colleagues on mitigations to the impact on food supply in the event that the Strait of Hormuz’s closure becomes critical to fuel availability.

Defra works with industry and across Government to monitor risks that may arise. This includes extensive, regular and ongoing engagement in preparedness for, and response to, issues with the potential to cause disruption to food supply chains. At present, there are no significant impacts to the supply of food to consumers, and we do not expect any short-term disruption. The department will continue to monitor the situation and take all necessary steps including holding discussions with Cabinet colleagues as necessary.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of growing water reed for the purposes of thatching materials within the Great Fen project.

Defra, Natural England, and Environment Agency are working closely with our Great Fen partners to look at the benefits of paludiculture (wetter farming) and trialling a range of diversification options. This is vital to enable thriving and sustainable rural businesses, protection of our precious lowland peat resources, and enhance biodiversity. The Great Fen provides opportunity to act to test these principles, and will be looking at the benefits of growing reed and a host of other crop types for food and fibre.

Food and Rural Affairs, how many formal Section 25 Enforcement Notices requiring riparian owners to complete specific maintenance works have been issued by the Environment Agency in Huntingdon constituency.

Since 2024, the Environment Agency has not issued any Enforcement Notices under Schedule 25, Paragraph 8 of the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016 to riparian owners in Huntingdonshire. Flood risk concerns have been addressed through direct site visits and the provision of advice and guidance, with all riparian owners visited complying fully with the requested maintenance actions.

Food and Rural Affairs, which villages currently have functioning water pumping infrastructure in Huntingdon constituency.

Within Huntingdonshire, the Environment Agency (EA) maintains the following pumping stations: Thicket Lane (also known as Backbrook) located in Houghton, Victoria Terrace pumping station located in St Ives, and Cooks stream pumping station located in Godmanchester. Cooks stream pumping station and Victoria Terrace pumping station are both functioning. The EA is progressing a scheme to refurbish Thicket Lane which the EA expects to complete by March 2027.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 21 January 2026 to question 105592 on River Great Ouse: Dredging, for what reason the river has not been dredged since the 1970s and 1980s.

Since the 1980s, the Environment Agency’s (EA) maintenance works have been limited to targeted desilting at specific locations, such as locks, outfalls and gauging stations, to maintain navigation and asset functionality. Sections of the Ely Ouse, from Popes Corner to Littleport, were desilted between 1991 and 1998, and small-scale shoal removals have occurred intermittently near structures such as Denver and Salters Lode Locks in Norfolk. On the Tidal River Great Ouse, the EA undertakes desilting activities at Denver and Salters Lode Locks to maintain a navigable channel, most recently in 2025, and the EA is planning a desilting programme for 2026. The EA also removes silt which accumulates on erosion protection measures, most recently near Salters Lode in February 2025. The EA undertakes targeted dredging where necessary along the River Great Ouse in the locations where it will either support navigation or the reduction of flood risk.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the Gifford farm development on flooding via Parsons Drove drain in Huntingdon constituency.

The Environment Agency (EA) was consulted on the emerging Local Plan, which sets out potential locations for development in Huntingdonshire, and responded regarding the proposed Gifford’s Park site. In the EA’s response, it advised:A detailed Flood Risk Assessment (FRA) and drainage strategy should be provided which addresses all flood risks including climate change.Only ‘water compatible’ development should be permitted in the small area of the site that is at flood risk. ‘Water compatible’ development are designed to be in or next to water so they can safely function in areas that flood.The FRA should consider opportunities for Natural Flood Management to reduce risk. Until the above detailed work is provided by the developer, it is not possible to comment on whether this site may impact flooding specifically via Parson’s Drove Drain.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 19 January 2026, to question 104940 on River Great Ouse: Flood Control, by when will the Environment Agency have completed their assessment of the potential flood alleviation a) benefits and b) impacts of the proposed options.

The full business case for the St Ives Staunch sluice project is currently planned for completion in late Spring 2026. This will include a high-level assessment of the benefits, impacts and costs of proposed options.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps the Environment Agency is taking to enforce waterway maintenance responsibilities by riparian owners in Huntingdonshire.

In Huntingdonshire, the Environment Agency (EA) has undertaken targeted enforcement across Brampton Brook, Alconbury Brook, Ellington Brook and St Ives to encourage voluntary compliance and to inform and educate landowners on riparian responsibilities. Throughout 2024 and 2025, the EA visited 35 properties on Brampton Brook to address vegetation overgrowth, waste, fallen trees and unpermitted structures. All necessary actions were completed by landowners, and no further action was required. Where maintenance presents a flood‑risk concern and voluntary action is not taken, the EA can issue a formal Section 25 Enforcement Notice requiring the owner to complete specific maintenance works. Failure to comply is an offence, and the EA may undertake the work itself and recover costs from the landowner.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 19 January 2026, to question 105593 on River Great Ouse: Flood Control, by when will the list of projects to receive Government funding in 26/27 be determined.

Delivering on the Plan for Change, this Government is investing at least £10.5 billion until 2036 to construct new flood schemes and repair existing defences, protecting communities from the devastating impacts of climate change. The final list of schemes to benefit in 2026/27 is due to be published on GOV.UK in March 2026.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 19 January 2026, to question 104939 on River Great Ouse: Flood Control, by when will phase 1 of the gate refurbishment project be completed.

Phase 1 of the gate refurbishment project is expected to be completed by 31 March 2026.

Food and Rural Affairs, what is the current asset condition of a) Brownshill and b) St Ives staunch.

The current asset condition of Brownshill Staunch sluice is rated as poor (gates 1 and 2) and very poor (gate 3). The current asset condition of St Ives Staunch sluice is rated as poor. The Environment Agency carries out an accredited visual inspection of assets to assess their condition and performance every 6 – 24 months. The frequency of inspection depends on the asset’s priority.

Food and Rural Affairs, how much funding was allocated to (a) St Ives and (b) Brownshill sluice for 2026/27.

Delivering on the Plan for Change, this Government is investing at least £10.5 billion until 2036 to construct new flood schemes and repair existing defences, protecting communities from the devastating impacts of climate change. The list of projects to receive Government funding in 26/27 has not yet been determined, and will be agreed in the usual way, through Regional Flood and Coastal Committees, with local representation.

Food and Rural Affairs, when was the River Great Ouse last dredged.

The Environment Agency (EA) does not operate a routine dredging programme for the River Great Ouse. Dredging was last undertaken in the 1970s and 1980s, prior to the EA’s establishment in 1996.

Food and Rural Affairs, how much has been spent on maintaining the eel pass at St Ives sluice in each year since 2015.

The Environment Agency (EA) is the asset owner for the St Ives eel pass. Historically, the EA’s maintenance work has also been combined with routine operational checks to ensure the sluice gates at St Ives function correctly, rather than issuing a separate work order solely for inspecting the eel pass. Operational checks involve activities such as verifying gate movement, mechanical integrity, and overall system performance to maintain safe and reliable operation.