Every parliamentary written question tabled by Bob Blackman this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 1–16 of 16 · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of current funding levels for the School Milk Subsidy Scheme.
As this is a devolved matter, this answer applies to England only. 48% of eligible schools in England participated in the School Milk Subsidy Scheme in the school year 2024 to 2025. The allocated funding is regularly reviewed to ensure it is sufficient to cover the subsidy likely to be provided to those choosing to access the scheme.
Food and Rural Affairs whether she plans to publish a formal consultation on how a transition to in-ovo sexing would be implemented.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 4 March 2026 to the hon. Member for York Central, PQ UIN 116174.
Food and Rural Affairs whether a consultation on ending the routine culling of male chicks through in-ovo sexing is under consideration.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 4 March 2026 to the hon. Member for York Central, PQ UIN 116174.
Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department is taking to work with industry to develop a roadmap for ending the routine culling of male chicks, as laid out in the Animal Welfare Strategy.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 21 January 2026 to the hon. Member for Mid Dorset and North Poole, PQ UIN 105878.
Food and Rural Affairs whether she will commit to developing a roadmap for the transition to in-ovo sexing in the UK egg industry.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 4 March 2026 to the hon. Member for York Central, PQ UIN 116174.
Food and Rural Affairs, whether she plans to meet with animal welfare organisations to discuss the promotion of responsible cat ownership and sourcing.
The department maintains regular contact with key stakeholders on companion animal welfare issues. This includes the Canine and Feline Sector Group, which brings together leading welfare charities, veterinary bodies, trade associations and representatives from local authorities.
Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that cats are included in the Animal Welfare Strategy.
The Animal Welfare Strategy was published on 22 December and sets out priorities for animal welfare, focusing on the changes and improvements the Government aim to achieve by 2030. In the Strategy Defra has committed to take steps to improve the uptake of the pet selling licence by those who sell cats and kittens as pets. The department will also improve its understanding of the size, scale and current management practices related to cat breeding, drawing on expertise from the sector, and consider any further steps which may improve welfare practices in the cat breeding sector. Cats will benefit from broader measures outlined in the Strategy including tackling low welfare imports and implementing the measures contained in the Renters’ Rights Act to make it easier for tenants to keep pets in rented accommodation.
Food and Rural Affairs, whether she plans to take steps to prevent British companies from selling hunting trips to British nationals to shoot so-called canned lions for sport and trophies.
The Government is committed to banning the import of hunting trophies from species of conservation concern, which is the most effective approach the Government can take on this matter. The department continues to engage with relevant stakeholders to ensure that we can implement a robust ban. Timeframes for introducing legislation will be provided once the Parliamentary timetable for future sessions is determined.
Food and Rural Affairs, whether any cross-departmental work is being undertaken to (a) assess and (b) address the environmental impact of illegally imported disposable vapes.
Single-use vapes have been banned in the UK since 1 June 2025, we are continuing to monitor the impact of the ban, including the illicit market. In March 2025, the Government announced a £10 million funding boost to trading standards to tackle illicit vapes, including those that are single-use, to ensure that the ban is successfully enforced.
Food and Rural Affairs, what plans her Department has to meet with animal welfare organisations to discuss tackling the illegal (a) breeding and (b) sale of hybrid cats.
The Department is kept up to date with developments in cat welfare through regular engagements with key sector organisations.
Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of banning the cross-breeding of exotic cats with domestic cat breeds.
The Government welcomes the Animal Welfare Committee’s Opinion on the welfare implications of current and emergent feline breeding practices which included their research into the management and welfare of hybrid breeding. We are carefully considering the Committee’s recommendations.
Food and Rural Affairs, whether Monkeys will be included in the government's proposed hunting trophy ban.
Defra is continuing to engage with relevant stakeholders to help determine the most appropriate scope for the ban on the import of hunting trophies from species of conservation concern. Species of conservation concern are listed primarily on Appendices I and II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) according to the level of threat international trade has on their conservation status. This includes a large number of primate species.
Food and Rural Affairs, if he will set out the scope the proposed ban on trophy hunting imports.
Defra is continuing to engage with relevant stakeholders to help determine the most appropriate scope of a ban on the import of hunting trophies from species of conservation concern. Species of conservation concern are listed on the Appendices of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) according to the level of threat international trade has on their conservation status.
Food and Rural Affairs, if he will take legislative steps to introduce an immediate moratorium on import permits for hunting trophies of cheetahs.
The government committed to a ban on the import of hunting trophies of endangered animals in its manifesto and will deliver on this. Defra is currently engaging with a range of stakeholders in order to decide on the most effective approach.
Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of including school milk cartons in the Extended Producer Responsibility obligations on (a) Government and (b) school spending.
I am responding to these PQs as the Minister who is responsible for Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging (pEPR). In autumn last year my department published an assessment of the impacts of implementing pEPR, including on inflation, when the regulations were laid in parliament, however, this impact assessment does not include an assessment of the impact on specific sectors/products. The governments of the four nations of the United Kingdom will monitor the effectiveness and impact of the regulations and will amend them when and where appropriate.I will politely decline the meeting as I am aware of the issues around the definition of household packaging and its impact across a number of sectors. However my officials, who have been working with stakeholders on assessing the possibility of amending the household packaging definition, would be happy to meet representative of the milk supply chain.
Food and Rural Affairs, if he will meet with representatives of the school milk supply chain to discuss the classification of school milk as a household waste.
I am responding to these PQs as the Minister who is responsible for Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging (pEPR). In autumn last year my department published an assessment of the impacts of implementing pEPR, including on inflation, when the regulations were laid in parliament, however, this impact assessment does not include an assessment of the impact on specific sectors/products. The governments of the four nations of the United Kingdom will monitor the effectiveness and impact of the regulations and will amend them when and where appropriate.I will politely decline the meeting as I am aware of the issues around the definition of household packaging and its impact across a number of sectors. However my officials, who have been working with stakeholders on assessing the possibility of amending the household packaging definition, would be happy to meet representative of the milk supply chain.