Every parliamentary written question tabled by Edward Morello this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 221–240 of 308 · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
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, 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, 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 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 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 assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of promoting the adoption of AI-driven monitoring systems in agriculture.
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 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 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 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, 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, 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.
Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of introducing (a) fiscal and (b) regulatory incentives to (i) support UK-based agricultural machinery manufacturers and (ii) reduce reliance on imported agricultural equipment.
The Farming Innovation Programme funds research and innovation to offer new technology, equipment and practices that will support development of UK businesses and deliver solutions for farmers. Further grants like the Farming Equipment & Technology Fund (FETF) have helped ensure these UK-developed technologies can be adopted to support UK agriculture. We continue to work with industry to explore and enhance the full range of levers available to support UK agri-innovation and technology growth.
Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to encourage the expansion of domestic manufacturing of (a) tractors, (b) combine harvesters and (c) precision agriculture technology.
Domestic adoption of precision farming technologies including, for example, tractor mounted drills, inter row hoes and weeders and camera guided spot sprayers, has been supported by the Farming Equipment & Technology Fund (FETF), that provides grants towards the cost of innovative equipment that is commercially available. A round of FETF will open to farmers across England in Spring 2025. Through the Accelerating Development of Practices and Technologies (ADOPT) fund we are also providing grants for farmer-led demonstration trials of newly emerging technologies, so farmers may have greater confidence to invest in further advances to improve productivity and profitability. A range of measures is being considered through the development of the Government’s Industrial Strategy to benefit UK technology and equipment manufacturers and deliver growth.
Food and Rural Affairs, what support his Department offers young individuals seeking to start their own farming enterprises.
Attracting bright new talent into land-based careers and having a skilled workforce in place is vital for the future of UK food and farming. Defra works closely with The Institute for Agriculture and Horticulture (TIAH) which is encouraging young people and new entrants into farming in its capacity as an industry led professional body for the farming industry. This includes leading a cross-industry initiative to address common negative misconceptions about the sector and providing free TIAH membership for students. TIAH is also developing online capabilities to support matching mentees with mentors, and those looking for land with those who wish to provide access to land. Furthermore, the Government has launched Skills England to ensure there is a comprehensive suite of apprenticeships, training and technical qualifications for individuals and employers to access, which are aligned with skills gaps and what employers need. It will work with its partners to ensure that regional and national skills needs are met.
Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department is taking steps to help encourage the adoption of agroforestry systems where crops are planted among trees to help improve (a) biodiversity and (b) resilience.
Defra recognises that agroforestry provides an important opportunity to increase the number of trees on farms, providing many environmental benefits, while maintaining agricultural production. The key steps the Government is taking are: Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier: This scheme provides funding for agroforestry practices, encouraging farmers to integrate trees into their farming systems to improve environmental outcomes and farm resilience. The options include maintaining very low and low density in-field agroforestry on more sensitive land and medium and high density in-field agroforestry, with payment rates of £248 to £849 per hectare per year.Agroforestry Plan (PA4): Farmers can receive £1268.08 to complete an agroforestry plan to support planning, creating, and managing agroforestry systems. This includes specialist advice from Forestry Commission or Natural England advisers.Sustainable Farming Incentive: This scheme provides funding for agroforestry practices, encouraging farmers to adopt sustainable farming practices that improve soil health, reduce erosion, and enhance biodiversity. The options include maintaining very low density and low density in-field agroforestry on less sensitive land, with payment rates of £248 to £385 per hectare per year. Schemes are being rolled out in a controlled manner. Due to demand some Capital Grants are temporarily paused and expected to reopen in summer 2025.
Food and Rural Affairs, what support his Department provides for large-scale farms transitioning to agroecological approaches.
Agroecological practices promote sustainable and resilient approaches to farming. This aligns with the goals of the government’s Environmental Land Management (ELM) schemes, which will fund improvements to food security, biodiversity, carbon emissions, water quality, air quality and flood resilience. We consider much of the funding under our ELM schemes as supporting agroecological practices. As announced in October 2024, Defra’s farming budget will be £2.4 billion in 2025/26. ELM remains at the centre of our offer for farmers and will be funded by the largest ever budget directed at sustainable food production and nature’s recovery in our country’s history of £1.8 billion. This enables us to keep momentum on the path to a more resilient and sustainable farming sector.