Written questions by Morello.

Food and Rural Affairs, if she will set out the support currently available to farmers in West Dorset constituency given changes in the level of fuel costs.

The Government is conscious of the increases to prices of red diesel and other fuel influenced by the continued instability in the Middle East. The Competition and Markets Authority has been asked to look into industry concerns about red diesel prices, including price transparency. The Government are determined to help keep costs down for our farmers. Red diesel continues to benefit from an 80% tax discount - saving farmers almost £300 million a year. The Government’s commitment to farming and food security is steadfast, which is why it has allocated a record £11.8 billion to sustainable farming and food production over this parliament.

Food and Rural Affairs, when were businesses notified of the reclassification of valerian root by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate.

The Veterinary Medicines Directorate considers valerian root to be medicinal by function, above a certain strength, in line with the Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2013 (as amended) definition of a veterinary medicine. The medicinal status applied to valerian root was established in 1992 and the substance has not been reclassified.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of recent changes in the level of fuel prices on farm profitability.

The Government is conscious of the increases to prices of red diesel/gasoil, influenced by the continued instability in the Middle East. The Competition and Markets Authority has been asked to look into industry concerns about red diesel prices, including price transparency. The Government are determined to help keep costs down for our farmers. Red diesel continues to benefit from an 80% tax discount - saving farmers almost £300 million a year. Defra works with industry and across Government to monitor risks that may arise. This includes extensive, regular and ongoing engagement in preparedness for, and response to, issues with the potential to cause disruption to food supply chains. The UK Agriculture Market Monitoring Group monitors UK agricultural markets throughout the year, including price, supply, inputs, trade, and recent developments.

Food and Rural Affairs, how much and what proportion of UK fertiliser supply goes through (a) the strait of Hormuz and (b) the surrounding region.

The UK imported below 1% of its fertilisers directly from the Gulf region in 2025. However, some of the UK’s trade partners import fertilisers from the Middle East, either for onward shipment to the UK or for production inputs, creating indirect dependencies. The Strait of Hormuz is also critical for fertiliser supply chains which depend on products such as natural gas, urea, ammonia, and sulphur exported from Gulf countries.

Food and Rural Affairs, what engagement her Department has had with water companies on infrastructure improvements to prevent sewage leaks into the River Wriggle.

I meet regularly with water companies to discuss a range of issues, including the need to reduce sewage discharges into our rivers, seas and lakes. A record £104 billion of private sector investment has been secured to accelerate the cleaning up of our rivers, lakes and seas. This includes over £10 billion to improve about 2,500 storm overflows in England over the next five years. The Environment Agency maintains regular engagement with Wessex Water to ensure that all investigations and improvement schemes, including those relating to the River Wriggle, are progressing as planned and being delivered to the expected standard. Its engagement supports planning for what should be included in the company’s next Asset Management Period (2030-2035).

Food and Rural Affairs, what timeline her Department expects for upgrades to infrastructure to prevent further sewage discharges into the River Wriggle.

The Storm Overflows Discharge Reduction Plan sets out the timeline for delivering storm overflow improvements.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent steps his Department is taking to reduce sewage discharges affecting chalk streams such as the River Wriggle.

Over £10 billion will be invested to improve about 2,500 storm overflows in England by 2030, with upgrades prioritised at high priority sites including chalk streams. In 2024 and 2025, the Environment Agency carried out compliance inspections at three of the four Wessex Water sites in the River Wriggle catchment area. One non-compliance was identified and a warning was issued. For 2025/26, attendance to lower category water industry related incidents was increased. Inspections will continue to be prioritised where spill data suggests frequent or prolonged discharges, or where other intelligence suggests risk of environmental harm.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the environmental impact of sewage discharges into the River Wriggle.

In 2019, the River Wriggle was assessed as having poor ecological health due to high levels of phosphate. In the River Wriggle, phosphate mainly comes from agricultural sources, but sewage discharges also contain phosphate from everyday chemicals such as washing detergents. In 2025, additional treatment was installed at Thornford Sewage Treatment Works to significantly reduce the amount of phosphate being released into the river. Early monitoring shows this has already reduced the amount of phosphate being released. The river’s other chemical and biological indicators are assessed as ‘Good’ or ‘High’, and invertebrate communities remain high. The river’s water quality continues to be regularly monitored, so any changes caused by sewage discharges can be spotted and further action taken if needed.

Food and Rural Affairs, what contingency plans her Department has in place to secure fertiliser supply in the event of disruption to global trade routes.

The United Kingdom is not heavily dependent on direct nitrogen fertiliser imports from the Middle East, but like other countries we are exposed to global benchmark prices and international competition. Recent market volatility has seen an increase in fertiliser prices, reflecting global conditions rather than any immediate supply disruption to the UK. We will continue to monitor emerging evidence on UK supply and demand for ammonia and other fertilisers to understand potential pressures and options to mitigate any risks.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of fertiliser price increases on food prices.

We are aware that increased input costs from fertiliser and energy have the potential to increase food prices in the medium to long term. Given this concern, we are closely monitoring the impacts of the conflict on food businesses and working with stakeholders to understand the implications for consumer prices.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to support farmers in West Dorset constituency with fertiliser costs.

The current situation and impacts on farmers in particular, and industry more widely, of current rising fertiliser prices are being monitored closely. Defra will continue to engage with industry and farmers to understand potential pressures and options to mitigate any risks.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to ensure long-term resilience in fertiliser supply chains.

The UK Government, Scottish Government, Welsh Government and the Northern Ireland Executive have launched a joint consultation and call for evidence on proposals to modernise UK fertilisers legislation. The consultation and call for evidence set out plans to help support innovation in the fertiliser sector, diversify supply, and strengthen the UK’s resilience to global market shocks. Current fertiliser regulations are widely seen as outdated and could do more to support fertiliser supply resilience and protect the environment, as well as being more agile to enable new products to enter the market.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of disruption in the Strait of Hormuz on fertiliser supply.

The fertiliser market is a global market, and while there is no immediate risk to UK supply, the market price in the UK is strongly influenced by international prices for fertiliser and by the value of the pound. The Government is aware of the current price increase for fertiliser that has occurred because of the conflict in the Gulf. Defra is in close contact with domestic fertiliser suppliers and is monitoring overall supply to the UK.

Food and Rural Affairs, how much is the total annual funding allocation for the Landscape Recovery Scheme for the current and next financial year.

The Government has allocated a record £11.8 billion to sustainable farming and food production over this parliament. Defra has set out how it plans to spend this budget on its farming blog here and here. Landscape Recovery is part of the Environmental Land Management offer. Projects run over multiple years. In December 2025, Defra announced plans to spend £500m on the implementation of the first tranche of Round 1 agreements over the next 25 years. Further details on the timing of future rounds, and their funding, will follow in due course. In line with its obligations under the Agriculture Act 2020, Defra regularly publishes an annual report, setting out commitments in the previous financial year, including Farming and Countryside Programme spend broken down by each scheme. The latest report, covering financial year 2024/25, can be accessed here: Farming and Countryside Programme annual report 2024 to 2025 (HTML version) - GOV.UK

Food and Rural Affairs, how much funding will be available for new applications to the Landscape Recovery Scheme in the next application round.

The Government has allocated a record £11.8 billion to sustainable farming and food production over this parliament. Defra has set out how it plans to spend this budget on its farming blog here and here. Landscape Recovery is part of the Environmental Land Management offer. Projects run over multiple years. In December 2025, Defra announced plans to spend £500m on the implementation of the first tranche of Round 1 agreements over the next 25 years. Further details on the timing of future rounds, and their funding, will follow in due course. In line with its obligations under the Agriculture Act 2020, Defra regularly publishes an annual report, setting out commitments in the previous financial year, including Farming and Countryside Programme spend broken down by each scheme. The latest report, covering financial year 2024/25, can be accessed here: Farming and Countryside Programme annual report 2024 to 2025 (HTML version) - GOV.UK

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to improve flood resilience in rural constituencies such as West Dorset constituency.

The Environment Agency (EA) has planned engagement events with professional partners across Dorset for Spring/Summer 2026 to promote individual and community resilience. The EA works closely with Dorset Council, parish councils and flood wardens to raise awareness, share guidance and strengthen community-level resilience across the highest-risk rural areas. The EA is delivering the Government’s flood and coastal risk management (FCRM) Investment Programme, investing £2.65 billion over 2024/25 and 2025/26 to better protect 52,000 properties. A new 3-year £4.2 billion FCRM Investment Programme will start in April 2026, allocating investment where flood and coastal risk and vulnerability are greatest, using the Government’s new funding rules. This week the EA published information on schemes that will receive funding for the first year of the new Programme, between 1 April 2026 and 31 March 2027.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of increased riparian ownership on the recent flooding in West Dorset constituency.

We are not aware of an increase or change in riparian ownership within West Dorset. The riparian rights and responsibilities, including duties to maintain watercourses, will remain unchanged even if there is a change in landownership. The recent flooding was caused by meteorological and hydrological factors rather than land ownership. The primary causes were exceptionally high rainfall, 55mm in 24 hours in Storm Chandra, and saturated ground conditions as January was the second wettest since 1871. These conditions led to watercourses exceeding capacity and local drainage systems becoming overwhelmed, as well as rapidly rising and prolonged high groundwater levels. The Environment Agency continues to work with Dorset Council, landowners and local communities to ensure responsibilities are understood and that watercourses are maintained appropriately. This collaborative approach supports long-term resilience and helps reduce flood risk across rural communities in West Dorset.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the causes of recent flooding in West Dorset constituency.

The recent flooding in West Dorset was caused by a combination of exceptionally high rainfall totals, leading to saturated ground conditions. January was the second-wettest winter on record since 1871. Groundwater levels across the county rose significantly, leading to flooding of low-lying land, roads and some properties as the water table exceeded normal winter levels. When significant flooding occurs Dorset Council produce Section 19 flood reports investigating the flooding issues experienced. The Environment Agency (EA) will provide information and evidence for these reports, including assessment of impacts on its assets. When there are impacts, the EA will undertake work to restore them to required condition as soon as possible. The EA is working with Dorset Council, including the Dorset Rural Runoff project, to improve understanding of the causes of flooding and look for potential interventions to reduce the impacts of this type of flood event.

Food and Rural Affairs, what support her Department provides to communities affected by flooding in West Dorset constituency.

Defra provides a wide range of support to rural communities affected by flooding. Typically, in response to flooding there will be a multi-partner strategic command, at which the Environment Agency (EA) and Dorset Council play a lead coordination role. The Department also funds long term resilience measures, including individual property flood resilience. During the recent flooding, the EA launched a new bespoke online engagement site for Dorset to give clear guidance, real time updates, and recovery support for communities facing groundwater impacts. The EA operates and maintains several flood alleviation schemes across West Dorset and has planned engagement events for Spring/Summer 2026 with professional partners to help strengthen community resilience. Across England, Government is investing at least £10.5 billion until 2036 to construct new flood schemes and repair existing defences. This record investment will benefit nearly 900,000 properties over ten years.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with the Environment Agency on rules governing sewage discharge into rivers during periods of heavy rainfall.

The Government is committed to tackling the root causes of sewage pollution into our rivers, lakes and seas. We will enable a step change to allow for more ‘pre-pipe’ solutions to reduce the volume of rainwater and pollutants entering the sewerage system. This includes better rainwater management, including sustainable drainage systems, and tackling sewer misuse. Between 2025 and 2030, over £11 billion is being invested in improving nearly 3,000 storm overflows across England and Wales, targeted at those affecting the most sensitive sites for ecological and human health, including in rural areas. Storm overflows are strictly regulated by the Environment Agency (EA). The regulators will not let companies get away with illegal activity and where breaches are found, will not hesitate to hold companies to account. The EA has increased its target for water company inspections to 10,000 in 2025/26 as part of the Government’s wider focus to hold companies to account and improve our water environment. Ministers meet regularly with the EA Chair and Chief Executive to discuss governance, performance and delivery across the EA’s remit.