Written questions by Stephenson.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 15 May 2025 to Question 50987 on Cheetahs: Hunting, how species of conservation concern will be determined.

Species of conservation concern is determined in the criteria set out under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). CITES lists species in its Appendices according to the level of threat international trade has on their conservation status, with Appendix I being the most threatened species. A species may be listed in CITES Appendix I and II if it meets certain criteria, such as:- a small or declining wild population,- high vulnerability to external factors,- fragmented population.. This criteria is set out in CITES Resolution Conf. 9.24 (Rev. CoP17). In the UK, CITES is implemented by the Wildlife Trade Regulations (WTRs), with Annexes A and B of the WTRs broadly corresponding to CITES Appendices I and II.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has had recent discussions with his international counterparts on best practice in flooding mitigation.

The Secretary of State and Ministers regularly speak to international partners on a range of topics, including climate change risks and how to mitigate them. The Environment Agency (EA) has worked with international partners such as the Dutch flood agency - Rijkswaterstaat, and the United States Army Corps of Engineers for many years. This work includes exchanging knowledge, research, and technical expertise in flood and coastal risk management. The EA also regularly contributes to broad, multi-partner international networks such as KRING, I-STORM, ICold (the international conference on dams) and the International Nature Based Solutions Working Group. These enable partners to share knowledge and experience on common issues such as responding to climate change, sea level rise, and innovating flood warning systems.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of National Landscape status on biodiversity.

Natural England has the statutory responsibility for identifying areas for new or extended National Landscape designations. National Landscapes have a statutory purpose to conserve and enhance natural beauty, and biodiversity is a key consideration within this purpose. The Protected Landscapes Targets and Outcomes Framework is supporting delivery of our EIP and statutory biodiversity targets in Protected Landscapes, empowering Protected Landscape bodies, relevant authorities, farmers, land managers and other organisations to work together in planning and targeting resources and activity. We have also extended our Farming in Protected Landscapes programme, providing £30 million to support nature recovery and other projects in our National Landscapes and National Parks, until March 2026.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of reducing funding to Natural England’s programme to designate or expand National Landscapes on employment.

Natural England (NE) has the statutory responsibility for identifying areas for new or extended National Landscape designations. Given the pressures on public finances, Defra has had to make difficult decisions about funding. It was not affordable to continue Defra funding to NE to continue the new National Landscapes designations programme in 25/26. As such, NE have made the decision to stop work on some of the planned programme. Other elements of the programme, including the Surrey Hills boundary review and potential new National Landscape in the Yorkshire Wolds, are being maintained and progressed as the work was further advanced.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of National Landscape status on (a) planning and (b) development of that land.

Natural England has the statutory responsibility for identifying areas for new or extended National Landscape designations. As part of this, they undertake evidence-based assessments to consider the potential impact of any proposed changes. As set out in the National Planning Policy Framework great weight should be given to conserving and enhancing landscape and scenic beauty in National Parks, the Broads and National Landscapes which have the highest status of protection in relation to these issues. The scale and extent of development within all these designated areas should be limited, while development within their setting should be sensitively located and designed to avoid or minimise adverse impacts on the designated areas. When considering applications for development within National Landscapes, permission should be refused for major development other than in exceptional circumstances, and where it can be demonstrated that the development is in the public interest.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the trends in capital investment in the farming sector ahead of the implementation of reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief.

Data on farm investment income is available in the table 5 series of Farm Accounts in England – these tables show data for 2022/23 and 2023/24. The Farm Business Survey is currently collecting the 2024/25 data.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make it his policy to expand the Chilterns National Landscape area to cover the whole of the Chilterns Character Area in Bedfordshire.

Natural England has the statutory responsibility for identifying areas for new or extended National Landscape designations. Once the designation assessment has been completed, Natural England may submit a recommendation to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs who may confirm, refuse or amend it after considering relevant evidence.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he will make an assessment of the potential impact of changes to the designation of National Landscapes on nature recovery in Mid Bedfordshire.

Natural England (NE) has the statutory responsibility for identifying areas for new or extended National Landscape designations. As part of this, they undertake evidence-based assessments to consider the potential impact of any proposed changes. This assessment includes consideration of the contribution of wildlife to the natural beauty of the area and if the designation of a National Landscape is desirable in order to conserve and enhance the area’s natural beauty. Given budgetary constraints, NE has made the decision to stop work on some of the planned National Landscapes programme – including the Chilterns boundary review. Natural England are considering how the evidence base which has been gathered so far through their designation work can best be shared and used. The existing boundary for the Chilterns National Landscape is unaffected and remains in place.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the press release entitled EA steps up dry weather prep after driest spring start since 1956, published on 7 May 2025, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of the proposed Bedford-Milton Keynes Waterway Park on managing drought in the East of England.

The Environment Agency (EA) are working closely with the Bedford-Milton Keynes Waterway Park Trust, and other stakeholders including Water Resources East, to consider the benefits and opportunities for water management in the local area and across the East of England. Ongoing discussions are considering navigation, flood risk, biodiversity, and water resources. Through these partnership discussions the EA will be looking to maximise opportunities for improving the local management of water. Whilst we have seen a dry Spring the water situation in Bedfordshire is currently assessed as ‘normal’. Environment Agency teams are closely monitoring the situation, managing water availability with licensed abstractors and are on standby to respond to reports of environmental incidents.

Food and Rural Affairs, how much funding his Department has provided to the programme to designate and expand national landscapes.

Defra provided direct funding of £1.1 million per annum for years 2022/23 - 2024/25 to accelerate Natural England's work on designations. As well as the programme to consider designating and expanding National Landscapes, Natural England used this funding on wider work relating to landscape designations and alternatives.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department plans to enable the completion of work that has started following the announcement of the decision to reduce funding to Natural England's programme to designate and expand national landscapes.

Natural England have the statutory responsibility for identifying areas for new National Landscape designations. For year 2025/26 the direct funding for this work was not continued. Natural England is using baseline budget to fund a reduced programme of landscape designation work.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of his Department’s decision to end funding for the Farming in Protected Landscapes programme on levels of nature recovery.

We recognise the huge importance of nature friendly farming, and we will look to maintain momentum in the coming years. Decisions on funding of FiPL and other relevant programmes will be announced after the conclusion of the spending review.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to his Department's report entitled Delivering economic growth and nature recovery: an independent review of Defra’s regulatory landscape, published on 2 April 2025, whether he directed Dan Corry to consider the Planning and Infrastructure Bill in that report.

Dan Corry’s review of Defra’s regulatory landscape focussed on developing recommendations to ensure that the Department is driving economic growth while protecting the environment. As mentioned in the introduction to the review, Dan Corry was aware of several other strands of work in government that were relevant, including the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, so sought to complement this work and avoid duplication.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has made an assessment of the adequacy of wildlife management and protection legislation in relation to (a) the number and (b) nature of (i) reported offences and (ii) successful prosecutions for wildlife crime.

Wildlife crime is abhorrent, and significant sanctions are already available for judges to hand down to those convicted of such crimes. Anyone who commits an offence under existing legislation can face up to a six-month custodial sentence and/or an unlimited fine. The Government’s view is that where any wild animal is killed illegally the full force of the law should apply to proven perpetrators of the crime. One obvious difficulty for reporting wildlife crimes and successfully bringing prosecutions is they often occur in remote areas of our countryside so there may not be a witness. Defra also recognises the view of many stakeholders that the complexity and disparate nature of wildlife legislation is a factor in the challenges experienced in successfully prosecuting wildlife offences. While we have no specific plans currently, we will continue to seek opportunities to consolidate legislation to achieve more consistency and clarity. In the meantime, Defra supports the valuable work of the National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU). It is a principal funder of the Unit which helps prevent and detect wildlife crime by obtaining and disseminating intelligence, undertaking analysis, and directly assisting law enforcers in their investigations.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the effectiveness of the Protected Landscapes programme in helping to protect communities from flooding.

The impact of flooding across England’s 44 Protected Landscapes varies according to their local context and geographies. Work undertaken by Protected Landscape organisations makes a valuable contribution to protecting communities from flooding. The Protected Landscape Targets and Outcomes Framework sets out how Protected Landscapes will deliver a proportionally bigger contribution to national environmental targets than other areas. For example, approximately 130,000 hectares of peat will be restored in Protected Landscapes by 2050 which is 60% of the national target. This will enhance natural flood management.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will ensure that the Spending Review recognises the contribution of the nature friendly farming budget in (a) supporting farmers, (b) restoring nature and (c) tackling climate change.

We recognise the huge importance of nature friendly farming, and we will look to maintain momentum in the coming years. The budgets for which will be set in the Spending Review.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential merits for farmers of being part of a National Landscape area.

England's National Landscapes are some of our most iconic and inspiring places. The specific merits for farmers will vary due to the unique local contexts. However, benefits range from additional support from National Landscapes teams, the ability to leverage a nationally recognised status, the public goods that come from a greater focus on nature in these areas, and opportunities arising from regenerative tourism. Farmers in National Landscapes also have access to our Farming in Protected Landscapes programme. This provides funding for farmers and land managers to work in partnership with National Park and National Landscape teams in England to deliver projects that achieve climate, nature, people and place outcomes. In the first three years of the programme, it engaged more than 7,000 farmers and land managers. As of April 2024, More than 5,500 projects have been approved across England’s 44 Protected Landscapes, with over £91 million provided in grant funding to farmers and land managers.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to his Department's guidance, new national flood and coastal erosion risk information, published on 25 March 2025, if he will write to home owners now classified as being in flood zone (a) 2 and (b) 3.

The Environment Agency (EA) provides a free service which allows homeowners to check and understand the flood risk around their properties and the actions they can do to reduce their risk. The EA also shares updated information about the risk of flooding at community engagement events.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to his Department's guidance, New national flood and coastal erosion risk information, published on 25 March 2025, if he will make an estimate of the number of houses in Bedfordshire now classified as being in flood zone (a) 2 or (b) 3.

The number of properties in Bedfordshire classed within Flood Zone 2 is approximately 8200. The number of properties in Bedfordshire classed within Flood Zone 3 is approximately 3500.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the guidance entitled New national flood and coastal erosion risk information, published on 25 March 2025, whether he has had discussions with the insurance sector on properties now classified as being in flood zone (a) two and (b) three.

The department regularly engages with the insurance industry, including bilaterally with the Association of British Insurers (ABI) and British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA). Engagement includes representation from the sector on the Flood Resilience Taskforce and an Insurance Roundtable hosted by me in September 2024. The Environment Agency (EA) also has regular discussions with the insurance industry as part of its engagement on flood and coastal erosion risk management, including on the new flood and coastal erosion risk information. It is important to note that insurance companies make decisions on premium prices based on their own assessment of the risk, using commercially available risk analysis models and are not mandated to use EA models.