Written questions by Morello.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has issued recent enforcement actions against water companies for sewage discharges at (a)Charmouth West Stream and (b) Lyme Regis Church Cliff beach.

For too long, water companies have discharged unacceptable levels of sewage into our rivers, lakes and seas. It is the responsibility of water companies to invest in infrastructure and other improvements to reduce untreated wastewater pollution incidents. The Price Review 24 programme, which runs from 2025-2030, will see Wessex Water investing £580 million to reduce the use of storm overflows. This investment includes the following actions to protect the River Lim and Church Cliff bathing water in Lyme Regis: Uplyme sewage treatment works and Gun Cliff sewage pumping station will be fitted with certified flow monitoring equipment,Improvements to Uplyme storm sewage tanks,Improvements to the Cobb sewage pumping station,Two combined sewage overflows (CSO) are to be investigated and assessed in relation to the possible impact on water quality,Five further CSOs to be improved to meet the bathing water standard of no more than 2 spills per bathing seasonAn investigation will be undertaken to confirm the benefits of these works for Church Cliff beach. There are no improvements identified in the Price Review 24 programme specifically for the West Stream in Charmouth. The Environment Agency (EA) is not currently pursuing any enforcement action in the Charmouth Lyme Regis area. However, water company assets in the Char and Lim catchments may be inspected as part of the EA’s new water industry regulation inspection programme. The EA will continue to monitor all this work to ensure the quality of the River Lim and Church Cliff beach further improves. Full details of the storm water overflows in the area are available here and information on Lyme Regis Church Cliff Beach is available here.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help reduce the impact of combined sewer overflows on water quality at (a) Charmouth West Stream and (b) Lyme Regis Church Cliff Beach.

For too long, water companies have discharged unacceptable levels of sewage into our rivers, lakes and seas. It is the responsibility of water companies to invest in infrastructure and other improvements to reduce untreated wastewater pollution incidents. The Price Review 24 programme, which runs from 2025-2030, will see Wessex Water investing £580 million to reduce the use of storm overflows. This investment includes the following actions to protect the River Lim and Church Cliff bathing water in Lyme Regis: Uplyme sewage treatment works and Gun Cliff sewage pumping station will be fitted with certified flow monitoring equipment,Improvements to Uplyme storm sewage tanks,Improvements to the Cobb sewage pumping station,Two combined sewage overflows (CSO) are to be investigated and assessed in relation to the possible impact on water quality,Five further CSOs to be improved to meet the bathing water standard of no more than 2 spills per bathing seasonAn investigation will be undertaken to confirm the benefits of these works for Church Cliff beach. There are no improvements identified in the Price Review 24 programme specifically for the West Stream in Charmouth. The Environment Agency (EA) is not currently pursuing any enforcement action in the Charmouth Lyme Regis area. However, water company assets in the Char and Lim catchments may be inspected as part of the EA’s new water industry regulation inspection programme. The EA will continue to monitor all this work to ensure the quality of the River Lim and Church Cliff beach further improves. Full details of the storm water overflows in the area are available here and information on Lyme Regis Church Cliff Beach is available here.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has had discussions with the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization on measures to protect Atlantic salmon from industrial by-catch in the North Norwegian Sea.

Defra is working with the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation (NASCO) to better understand the risk of salmon bycatch in commercial pelagic fisheries, including the North Norwegian Sea.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department plans to review the regulatory framework governing Southern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority to improve protections for Atlantic salmon entering Poole Harbour.

Defra is not planning to review the regulatory framework for Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities (IFCAs). IFCAs already have a duty to manage inshore fisheries sustainably, balancing socioeconomic factors with protecting the marine environment, including Atlantic salmon. Southern IFCA have published a Salmonid Good Handling Code of Practice and introduced a Net Fishing Byelaw in 2023, both of which help to protect salmon in Poole Harbour.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help improve survival rates of juvenile Atlantic salmon migrating through Poole Harbour from the Rivers (a) Frome and (b) Piddle.

Both Natural England and the Environment Agency are working with the Frome and Piddle Association on potential opportunities regarding salmon stocks.

Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions his Department has had with Natural England on a restoration policy for Atlantic salmon populations in chalk streams designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest.

Defra has not discussed a restoration policy for salmon in chalk streams that are Sites of Special Scientific Interest with Natural England.

Food and Rural Affairs, if his Department will take steps to ensure that (a) the River Frome and (b) other chalk streams outside of designated protected landscapes receive equal consideration for (i) conservation and (ii) restoration.

This Government is committed to the restoration of our cherished chalk streams. With 85% of the world’s chalk streams found in the UK, these unique water bodies are not just vital ecosystems but a symbol of our national heritage. The Government is committed to restoring our rivers, lakes and seas, including chalk streams. This is why on 23 October 2024 the UK and Welsh Governments launched an independent commission, led by Sir Jon Cunliffe and supported by expert advisors, to recommend reforms to reset the water sector regulatory system. The commission aims to build consensus for a resilient and innovative water sector and a robust wider regulatory framework that will deliver long-term benefits to ultimately serve both customers and the environment. The main pressures on the Dorset Frome are point-source and diffuse pollution, historic land use and water management changes such as weirs and channel straightening, and water resources balance. The Environment Agency is working with partners in the Frome Headwaters catchment this year to further understand and address some of these issues with a focus on reducing fine sediment input and improving habitat.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department plans to implement the measures announced in the press release entitled Changes announced to better protect England’s chalk streams, published on 21 September 2023.

On 21 September 2023, the Government brought forward an amendment to the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill, now Act, to add chalk streams to the definitions of 'environmental protection' and 'natural environment', so that they can be considered when setting the outcomes for a future system of environmental assessment. The Government is committed to securing better environmental outcomes alongside securing the development we need and is considering how best to reform environmental assessment processes with this objective in mind. This includes whether to take forward the powers in the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act to introduce Environmental Outcomes Reports We continue to direct investments to projects that will improve chalk streams. In 2024/2025, there are over 45 chalk stream projects receiving funding from the government's Water Environment Improvement Fund, each leveraging private investment, alongside that we are investing in catchment level initiatives through the Water Environment Improvement Fund where the Government is funding 45 projects (worth £2.5m of government investment) this financial year (2024/25) that improve chalk streams, each with the injection of private investment.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to ensure that agricultural environmental payments will be adjusted in line with inflation.

Prices in Environmental Land Management schemes have increased three times in the last three years to reflect inflation and pay a fairer price for action. In 2022 and 2023 prices in Countryside Stewardship increased and at the National Farmers’ Union Conference last week the Secretary of State announced an increase in prices for Higher Level Stewardship agreements.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department considers the location of (a) livestock markets and (b) farms when determining exclusion zones for Blue Tongue Virus.

Defra’s approach to bluetongue considers the latest scientific evidence and veterinary advice. Decisions regarding the extent of zones take into account the location of premises where bluetongue has been detected in addition to wider considerations regarding protecting the national herd and flock in the highest density livestock areas to the west and north of England where transmission of bluetongue has not yet been detected. Further details of the evidence that supports these decisions can be found in the Animal and Plant Health Agency’s (APHA) outbreak assessments and assessment of the risk of wind-borne introduction of infected vectors to the UK. The current extent of the restricted zone and the distribution of bluetongue cases detected to date can be viewed on APHA’s interactive map. Defra and APHA working closely with key industry stakeholders, including the Livestock Auctioneers Association, continue to remain vigilant to any changes in bluetongue risk. To inform our decisions on control measures and the extent of disease control zones and the movements within, to and from these zones which can be licensed we are undertaking surveillance of susceptible animals. This approach aims to ensure disease control measures including the extent of the restricted zone are proportionate to the risk whist minimising the burdens on livestock keepers and allied sectors.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of exclusion zones in preventing the spread of blue tongue virus.

Defra’s approach to bluetongue considers the latest scientific evidence and veterinary advice. Decisions regarding the extent of zones take into account the location of premises where bluetongue has been detected in addition to wider considerations regarding protecting the national herd and flock in the highest density livestock areas to the west and north of England where transmission of bluetongue has not yet been detected. Further details of the evidence that supports these decisions can be found in the Animal and Plant Health Agency’s (APHA) outbreak assessments and assessment of the risk of wind-borne introduction of infected vectors to the UK. The current extent of the restricted zone and the distribution of bluetongue cases detected to date can be viewed on APHA’s interactive map. Defra and APHA working closely with key industry stakeholders, including the Livestock Auctioneers Association, continue to remain vigilant to any changes in bluetongue risk. To inform our decisions on control measures and the extent of disease control zones and the movements within, to and from these zones which can be licensed we are undertaking surveillance of susceptible animals. This approach aims to ensure disease control measures including the extent of the restricted zone are proportionate to the risk whist minimising the burdens on livestock keepers and allied sectors.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to (a) monitor and (b) track the effectiveness of measures to reduce nitrogen leaching from agriculture.

The Environment Agency (EA) is tasked with enforcing the Nitrate Pollution Prevention Regulations (Nitrate Regulations) and the Reduction and Prevention of Agricultural Diffuse Pollution Regulations (Farming Rules for Water (FRfW)). The EA monitors nitrate concentrations in surface and groundwaters and any changes in water quality. The Nitrate Regulations include requirements on maximum application rates for manures and fertilisers containing nitrogen. Under the FRfW, land managers are required to plan their applications of organic manures and manufactured fertilisers, taking account of up-to-date soil sampling. This ensures that they do not apply more nitrogen than the soil and crop need, which would present significant risk of diffuse agricultural pollution. Defra have statutory duties to periodically review the effectiveness of the Nitrate Regulations and the FRfW. Though these reviews are overdue, this Government is prioritising finalising them and aim to publish them as soon as practically possible.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to support research and development in more efficient and sustainable (a) tractor attachments and (b) harvesting machinery.

The Farming Innovation Programme (FIP) provides competitive funding to research projects developing innovative practices and technologies, including efficient and sustainable attachments for tractors and harvesting machinery. This has included support the development of, for example, electronic weeding attachments and crop harvesting robots for strawberries, courgettes and asparagus. An additional £42.6 million of FIP funding will be available from 2025/2026.

Food and Rural Affairs, what incentives are available for farmers to invest in innovative irrigation systems that enhance water efficiency in controlled environment agriculture.

We are committed to supporting all farming sectors to increase levels of productivity whilst increasing their sustainability and resilience. We are looking carefully at how to position further investment and support to enable the delivery of this Government's objectives, including on water management. We plan to simplify and rationalise our grant funding, ensuring that grants deliver the most benefit for food security and nature. The forthcoming round of the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund, to launch in Spring 2025, will support the uptake of innovative technology and equipment that is commercially available. The scheme has historically offered grants for water management equipment and will be open to farmers across England. The full list of eligible equipment will be published within the scheme guidance ahead of the scheme launch. We will confirm any further future grant rounds in due course following the forthcoming Spending Review.

Food and Rural Affairs, what funding opportunities his Department offers farmers to introduce precision agriculture tools.

The Government is committed to supporting farmers in adopting innovative technologies to improve productivity and sustainability. The Accelerating Development of Practices and Techniques (ADOPT) Fund, which will open for applications in the spring, provides funding for on-farm trials of new technologies and techniques. This can include precision agriculture tools [such as GPS-guided machinery, variable-rate application systems, and remote sensing technology]. In addition, the forthcoming round of the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF), to launch in Spring 2025, will support the uptake of innovative technology and equipment that is commercially available. The scheme will be open to farmers across England and a list of eligible equipment will be published within the scheme guidance ahead of its launch.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of mixing farming practices that integrate livestock and crop production to improve soil health.

Defra has made several assessments via R&D addressing the effectiveness of mixing farming practices which integrate livestock and crop production to improve soil health, focussing on comparing integrated crop and livestock systems with conventional cropping systems. Some of this ongoing research is delivered collaboratively via EU programmes, which also address circularity in mixed systems and have an emphasis on climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department plans to implement alternative mechanisms to help support farmers with (a) hedgerow planting and (b) restoration projects following the suspension of capital grants under the Sustainable Farming Incentive.

Defra announced on 24 February that the standalone Capital Grant scheme will re-open in the summer. The Capital Grant scheme will continue to offer funding to support hedgerow planting and restoration projects. In addition, Defra offers a range of other grants to support capital works which benefit the environment which are open now.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the temporary closure of capital grants within the Sustainable Farming Incentive on (a) the Great Big Dorset Hedge project and (b) other community-led environmental initiatives.

Defra paused the standalone Capital Grant scheme, which includes grants to plant hedgerows, due to unprecedented demand. Defra announced on 24 February that all applications submitted before the scheme paused to new applications will be processed and funding will be granted to eligible applicants, including those who want to plant hedgerows. Defra does not intend to assess the impact of the temporary pause as this was a short period to re-assess the affordability of the scheme.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to collaborate with educational institutions to provide apprenticeship opportunities in the agricultural sector.

The Department for Education (DfE) works closely with education providers and key partners such as Landex, the membership body for land-based education providers, to understand the challenges in delivering agricultural education and what support is needed to ensure everyone has access to high quality skills training. There are 39 apprenticeships available for delivery in agriculture, environmental and animal care. To support more apprenticeship opportunities for young people the DfE provides £1,000 to both employers and training providers when they take on apprentices aged 16 to 18, and up to age 24 for apprentices with an education, health and care plan or who have been in local authority care. We are working with industry and DfE to understand how the agricultural and horticultural sectors can make better use of the available apprenticeship system.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has commissioned research into the scalability of vertical farming practices.

The Government recognises that vertical farming (as part of Controlled Environment Horticulture) is a highly productive and valuable component of our wider agricultural system. As part of our mission-driven government, we are now considering how we can achieve our ambitious, measurable and long-term goals for all our farming sectors, including horticulture.