Every parliamentary written question tabled by Chris Hinchliff this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 1–20 of 35 · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Food and Rural Affairs, whether she plans to incorporate (a) ponds, (b) small lakes, (c) headwater streams and (d) other small waters into the Water Framework Directive as part of ongoing reforms to the regulatory framework for water.
Awaiting answer.
Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of creating a High Ecological Status target for the highest-quality waterbodies in England, as part of upcoming reforms to Water Environment targets.
Awaiting answer.
Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to ensure that Environmental Land Management schemes include funding for (a) integrated, evidence-based management of predation pressure and (b) specialist farmer advisory support to improve the effectiveness of agri-environment measures for breeding wader recovery, including the Eurasian Curlew.
Support for specific species is primarily delivered via Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier where land managers can benefit from 1:1 advice and support from Natural England Advisers. In addition to the payments for the correct land management for Curlew, Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier also includes capital grants for specialised predator fencing to protect nesting sites.
Food and Rural Affairs, if a Special Representative for important trees will be appointed to champion them at a political level, as recommended in the Government-sponsored Tree Council report, published in 2025.
The Defra-funded report led by the Tree Council and Forest Research provides a range of recommendations for improving the protection and stewardship of ‘important’ trees. The Government is carefully considering its recommendations, including their feasibility and potential impacts, balancing our approach with our existing priorities and statutory obligations. We will set out actions to protect important trees in the new Trees Action Plan which will be published this year.
Food and Rural Affairs, whether the England Tree Action Plan will review and improve the scope and effectiveness of Tree Preservation Orders.
The Government committed in the Environmental Improvement Plan 2025 to publish a new Trees Action Plan for England in 2026. The Trees Action Plan will set out how the Government will invest in tree planting and the forestry sector to achieve our 2030 interim tree canopy and woodland cover target, improve the resilience and condition of our trees and woodlands, and deliver multiple benefits for nature, climate, people and the economy.
Food and Rural Affairs, whether the England Tree Action Plan will include a new legal protection and designation system for (a) important and (b) heritage trees.
The Government committed in the Environmental Improvement Plan 2025 to publish a new Trees Action Plan for England in 2026. The Trees Action Plan will set out how the Government will invest in tree planting and the forestry sector to achieve our 2030 interim tree canopy and woodland cover target, improve the resilience and condition of our trees and woodlands, and deliver multiple benefits for nature, climate, people and the economy.
Food and Rural Affairs, on which date was Natural England first notified of organised criminal activity in Hoads Wood Special Site of Scientific Interest.
Natural England (NE) does not hold a record of a specific date on which it was first notified of organised criminal activity at Hoads Wood SSSI Site of Special Scientific Interest. NE visited the site in February 2020 with Ashford Borough Council and Kent County Council. Kent Police were also present to advise on the risks following reports of illegal activity.
Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 23 January 2026 to question 106695, what discussions she has had Natural England on restricting access to Sites of Special Scientific Interest, including at Hoads Wood in 2023.
The Environment Agency is continuing to temporarily restrict vehicular access to Hoads Wood Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and, alongside Kent Police, is leading the criminal investigation into the illegal dumping of waste. The primary legal framework for protecting SSSIs is the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, which places a duty on public bodies to conserve and enhance SSSI features and controls operations likely to cause damage. Landowners and occupiers must obtain consent from Natural England (NE) before carrying out listed activities, including vehicle use. NE has enforcement powers to prevent or stop harm, including issuing stop notices, making byelaws and taking action against those who intentionally or recklessly damage SSSI features. Additional powers are available under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, which allows authorities to make Traffic Regulation Orders to protect SSSIs, with offences for non-compliance. The Police can also prosecute off-road vehicle use (including over SSSI land) under the Road Traffic Act 1988 and may seize vehicles under the Police Reform Act 2002 where use causes, or is likely to cause, alarm, distress or annoyance.
Food and Rural Affairs, how many instances of fly tipping have been recorded on the public forest estate in each of the last 10 years.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Glastonbury and Somerton on 10 April 2026, PQ UIN 125371.
Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to question UIN 123866, if he will provide an update on the delivery of the Government's cross-department nature strategy.
Awaiting answer.
Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 16 December 2025 to question 97320, when her Department will publish its cross-government nature strategy; and for what reason it was not published in March as previously stated.
The cross‑government nature strategy is currently undergoing final cross‑government clearance, in line with standard collective agreement processes. Publication in March was dependent on the completion of this process. The Department now expects to publish the strategy once collective clearance is complete and is working closely with other departments to enable publication as soon as possible.
Food and Rural Affairs, when her department expects to be able to publish the fully updated data and mapping for Agricultural Land Classifications in England.
A new predictive Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) map for England has been created to replace the existing 1960s provisional ALC map. The 1960s provisional ALC map does not show ALC Grade 3 subdivision into subgrade 3a and 3b and reflects a superseded ALC methodology. The Predictive ALC map was announced on the 18 March 2026 in the publication of the Land Use Framework (LUF). This Predictive ALC map reflects the currently available soil and ALC data, prepared in line with the ALC methodology published in the 2025 Defra and Welsh Government Joint Report (JP069) Agricultural Land Classification of England and Wales: Guidelines for grading the quality of agricultural land - JP069. The Predictive ALC map, technical annex and mapping layer will be published this Spring. The final publication sits with Defra.
Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to meet the nature targets set out in the Environment Act 2021.
The Government is clear that nature and development can go hand in hand.The Land Use Framework shows we have enough land to achieve our priorities if we make better decisions about how we use it. We can restore nature and meet our housing and clean energy targets.
Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department has completed the global ecosystem assessment of the potential impact of tropical rainforest loss on food security and food prices in the UK.
The Nature security assessment on global biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and national security was published on GOV.UK on 20 January. The Assessment forms part of wider efforts to strengthen resilience to chronic environmental risks, alongside the National Security Strategy (2025), National Risk Register, and Chronic Risks Analysis (2025). The Government routinely assesses environmental and security risks to ensure decisions are based on the best available science. Understanding these risks strengthens our ability to prepare for, respond to, and mitigate future challenges. The Government recognises that food security is national security and we remain one of the most food-secure nations in the world. As the UK Food Security Report 2024 notes, while our production and trade remain stable, nature loss, water insecurity and climate change remain pressing risks to long-term resilience. That is why the Government is strengthening our systems now to ensure households remain protected and the economy stays strong, while helping nature to recover and thrive.
Food and Rural Affairs, whether there is a delay in publishing the global ecosystem assessment.
The Nature security assessment on global biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and national security was published on GOV.UK on 20 January. This assessment forms part of routine cross-government resilience planning and aligns with the UK’s National Security Strategy.
Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for his policies of the Nature security assessment on global biodiversity loss, published by her Department on 20 January, 2026l; and what cross departmental steps she is taking in response.
The Nature security assessment forms part of routine cross-government resilience planning. It complements the UK’s National Security Strategy, National Risk Register and Chronic Risk Analysis. Nature underpins our security, prosperity, and resilience. Climate and nature loss act as risk multipliers, increasing pressures on food systems, water security and geopolitical stability. Understanding these risks strengthens our ability to prepare for, respond to, and mitigate future challenges. Defra, along with other Government Departments, is already taking steps to address the potential risks identified in the report. Internationally, the UK is investing in forest and ocean protection. The UK is on track to invest £11.6 billion of International Climate Finance from 2021 to 2026, including £3 billion for vital habitats such as tropical rainforests, marine habitats and to support indigenous communities. The UK is also taking action domestically: tree planting in England is at its highest rate in over twenty years; we are restoring peatlands, improving water quality, protecting pollinators, and have introduced landmark legislation to safeguard our marine environment. We are strengthening supply chain resilience through the Critical Imports and Supply Chains Strategy and supporting food security by backing British farmers through new technology, streamlined regulation, and nature-friendly farming schemes that reward sustainable production.
Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the attendance of terrier handlers at trail hunting events with dogs and tools capable of digging out foxes; and whether she plans to bring forward legislative proposals to deter such activity.
This Government is committed to enacting a ban on trail hunting, in line with its manifesto commitment. Work to determine the best approach for doing so is ongoing and Defra intends to consult this year on how to deliver a ban.
Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential costs to the Treasury of remediating high-risk PFAS contamination sites where the polluter pays principle cannot be applied in full.
The Environment Agency has undertaken preliminary appraisal of potential PFAS remediation costs. A 2023 report indicates remediation could be significant at some legacy sites, though actual costs would depend on site specific factors. The polluter pays principle remains the primary mechanism to limit public expenditure. Actions in the PFAS Plan will improve understanding of contamination and future cost estimates.
Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential long-term costs to the NHS of the public's exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.
The Government published a PFAS Plan on 3 February 2026, which sets out our approach towards protecting human health and the environment from risks posed by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS. Our approach is science-based and evidence-led. This should ensure that effective and proportionate regulation is prioritised and implemented to address risks in a balanced way.
Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking with the Crown Prosecution Service to prosecute environmental crimes.
Environmental crimes and prosecutions are generally undertaken by the Environment Agency (EA) as the Environmental Regulator and not by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). The CPS does prosecute some particular environmental crimes, for the police's National Wildlife Crime Unit, such as in relation to poaching and even CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora). Where appropriate, and where there is linked offending, the EA can coordinate investigations into suspected environmental offending with other bodies, including the police.