Written questions by Morello.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with supermarkets on (a) the adequacy of the prices they pay to producers and (b) the potential merits of buying more produce from vertical farms.

The Government is committed to tackling unfairness in the supply chain wherever it exists. Using the 'Fair Dealings' powers in the Agriculture Act 2020, we can introduce regulations to increase transparency and protect growers, across the range of horticultural production systems, from unfair commercial practices. We are currently developing ‘Fair Dealing’ regulations for the fresh produce sector, which will cover growers that sell directly to retail. These regulations are designed to strengthen supply chain fairness and ensure all horticulture producers have clear and balanced contracts, which may include prohibiting practices such as cancelling orders at short notice. As part of this work, we are engaging with retailers, producers, experts and other representatives of the horticulture sector to ensure the regulations are workable and effective.

Food and Rural Affairs, what plans he has to allocate additional funding for flood prevention in West Dorset constituency.

The Government is investing record levels in flood protection. As part of the Government’s Plan for Change, we are investing £4.2 billion over three years (2026/27 to 2028/29) to construct new flood schemes and maintain and repair existing defences across the country. This is £1.4 billion on average each year – a 5% increase on the current average of £1.33 billion over 2024/25 and 2025/26. The list of projects to receive Government funding will be consented on an annual basis through Regional Flood and Coastal Committees, with local representation.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with local authorities on flood resilience in West Dorset constituency.

The Environment Agency (EA) works in partnership with Dorset Council to improve flood resilience across the county. Engagement on flood resilience takes place where the risk is highest and where the highest numbers of flooded properties are reported. Through an active flood warden programme, the EA engage regularly with volunteers and Town and Parish Councils and provide them with Flood Action Guides, flood resilience newsletters and additional information to help raise flood risk awareness, preparedness, and resilience. Recently 17 West Dorset Communities and Dorset Council were represented at lunch and learn sessions. New targeted Flood Warning Areas (FWAs) are identified based on risk using overtopping rates and working with other organisations. Several properties have had Flood Defence Grant-in-Aid investment into Property Flood Resilience in West Dorset, including over 25 in Sydling St Nicholas where a community test event is planned in the autumn.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has had discussions with (a) experts and (b) representatives of (i) traditional and (ii) vertical farming sectors on improving the (A) fairness and (B) reliability of supermarket supply contracts.

The Government is committed to tackling unfairness in the supply chain wherever it exists. Using the 'Fair Dealings' powers in the Agriculture Act 2020, we can introduce regulations to increase transparency and protect growers, across the range of horticultural production systems, from unfair commercial practices. We are currently developing ‘Fair Dealing’ regulations for the fresh produce sector, which will cover growers that sell directly to retail. These regulations are designed to strengthen supply chain fairness and ensure all horticulture producers have clear and balanced contracts, which may include prohibiting practices such as cancelling orders at short notice. As part of this work, we are engaging with retailers, producers, experts and other representatives of the horticulture sector to ensure the regulations are workable and effective.

Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions his Department has had with (a) Dorset Council and (b) the Environment Agency on potential alternatives to the no active intervention policy for the Charmouth coastline.

The Government is investing £36 million in the Coastal Transition Accelerator Programme to support communities, including in Dorset, to explore innovative approaches to adapt to coastal change. The Environment Agency has published updated National Coastal Erosion Risk Map data, including future climate change scenarios. Shoreline Management Plans, developed by local councils, guide long-term strategies for managing flood and erosion risks. The SMP policies for Charmouth were considered during the development of SMP16 ‘Durlston Head to Rame Head’ and will be reviewed as part of the current SMP refresh process. Dorset Council and the Environment Agency are part of the SMP16 management group for South Devon & Dorset, who can consider any new data for this area which may have implications for the current SMP policies.

Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Environment Agency on the criteria used to select Charmouth as a location for the Coastal Transition Accelerator Programme.

The Coastal Transition Accelerator Programme helps communities that cannot sustainably be defended from coastal erosion aiming to support residents and businesses prepare and plan for the long term. In September 2023, Charmouth, West Dorset, was added to the programme, taking forward measures that will improve the resilience of local heritage and tourism assets. This was informed by an objective assessment from the Environment Agency (EA) of residential and non-residential properties at risk from coastal erosion. National and local EA coastal specialists also considered the capacity, capability, and willingness within the local authority and the actions needed for Charmouth. As a UNESCO Jurassic World Heritage Site and Site of Special Scientific Interest, Charmouth represents a good opportunity to invest in and showcase coastal change resilience measures with the aim of benefiting the community, visitors and the local economy.

Food and Rural Affairs, what funding his Department provides to support the development of sustainable coastal defences (a) by communities living in coastal areas at risk of erosion and (b) in Charmouth.

As part of the £2.65 billion FCRM Investment programme for flood and coastal risk reduction, approximately £500 million is being invested in coastal projects across the country to better protect people and properties. The Environment Agency manages the £200 million Flood and Coastal Innovation Programmes (FCIP) which runs between 2021-2027. £3 million is allocated to Future Coast Dorset, which includes Future Coast Charmouth. This will help communities to manage their changing coasts and become more resilient. Defra’s Coastal Erosion Assistance Grant also provides financial assistance to local authorities to support them with the cost of demolishing properties at imminent risk of loss from coastal erosion.

Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Environment Agency on the potential impact of coastal erosion on public safety when there are high numbers of visitors to the coast.

Local authorities can use the most up to date data and information on the coast to assist with their planning and decision making around public safety near coastlines. The National Coastal Monitoring Programme (NCMP) comprises of six regional programmes led by Coastal Authorities and the Environment Agency to optimise coastal investment and protect communities through the monitoring and analysis of existing coastal assets. The new NCERM provides the most up to date national picture of current and future coastal erosion risk for England. The Environment Agency has worked with local authorities, who supplied local data and verified outputs.

Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions his Department has had with (a) the Environment Agency and (b) Dorset Council on improving safety around cliffs in West Dorset constituency.

Defra works closely with Environment Agency officials at every level and provides constructive challenge and support on Environment Agency’s performance and delivery to protect and enhance the environment and serve the public. The responsibility for public safety around cliffs and coastlines sits with the Local Authority. Local Authorities can use the most up to date data and information on the coast to assist with their planning and decision making. The new National Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Map (NCERM) provides the most up to date national picture of current and future coastal erosion risk for England. The Environment Agency worked with Local Authorities, who supplied local data and verified outputs, to produce this.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has made an assessment of the feasibility of extending the life of existing coastal defences in Charmouth.

The feasibility of extending the life of any coastal defences or constructing new ones is considered as part of the Shoreline Management Plan (SMP) policy developed for every section of coastline. The Environment Agency is continuing to work with coastal groups on further improvements to SMPs, including updates to the management approaches where needed and providing new assessments of coastal flood and erosion risks. Defra has committed to review national policy for shoreline management plans by 2026. This will be informed by the Environment Agency’s SMP refresh. Charmouth is part of SMP16 ‘Durlston Head to Rame Head’ developed in 2011, which was recently reviewed in the SMP refresh process and the latest action plan is currently in delivery by the SMP16 management group.

Food and Rural Affairs, he will make it is his policy to introduce measures to ensure that supermarket contracts support (a) traditional and (b) vertical farmers.

It would not be appropriate for Government to comment on, or intervene in, matters relating to contracts between producers and retailers. These are driven by commercial interests, based on supply and demand.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent steps his Department is taking to support communities affected by extreme weather in West Dorset constituency.

The preparation for, response to and recovery from extreme weather sits across a number of organisations, including the Cabinet Office, UK Health and Security Agency, and the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government. As the Lead Government Department for flooding, Defra works with partners across local and national Government to strengthen preparedness for flooding. In 2024, Defra established the Floods Resilience Taskforce, a collaborative initiative uniting all levels of Government, emergency services, businesses, and environmental groups to improve flood preparedness. Over the past 12 months, the taskforce has helped drive improvements to national flood modelling and forecasting, the communication of flood warnings, and has raised awareness of schemes to support those affected by flooding. The fourth meeting in September discussed preparedness for the 2025 autumn/winter period. Following the wettest winter on record, the Environment Agency is investing £5 million to protect 444 properties in West Dorset, maintaining key assets, supporting coastal projects, improving property flood resilience, and working with partners on natural flood management and coastal risk response. Local Resilience Forums (LRFs) in England are tasked with coordinating local emergency preparedness, including extreme weather events. West Dorset is represented on the Dorset LRF as part of the Dorset Councils Partnership. The Dorset LRF Community Risk Register, which includes local risk assessments for extreme weather events in Dorset, can be found here.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make it his policy to prevent supermarkets from cancelling orders from vertical farms at short notice.

The Government is committed to tackling unfairness in the supply chain wherever it exists, which includes practices such as cancelling orders at short notice. Using the 'Fair Dealings' powers in the Agriculture Act 2020 we can introduce regulations to increase transparency and protect growers, including those with vertical horticulture systems, from unfair commercial practices. We are already making progress on developing ‘Fair Dealing’ regulations for the fresh produce sector, which will cover growers that sell directly to retail. These regulations could require that contracts include clear rules on notice periods, fair termination clauses and processes for changing agreed terms.

Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate he has made of the proportion of soil carbon stored within national landscapes.

Natural England estimates that 649,485,339 tonnes of carbon are stored below ground in National Landscapes. Source – Spatial Prioritisation of Below Ground Carbon Storage 2023 (England) | Natural England Open Data Geoportal.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of agricultural automation technologies on the future resilience of the fruit and horticulture sector.

The Government recognises that accelerating the application of automation in horticulture is key to delivering growth, sustainability and resilience. Increasing the application of automation in priority farming sectors such as horticulture is a key objective for Agri-Tech within the Government’s Industrial Strategy Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan. Automation would also have the potential to reduce (though not eliminate) reliance on seasonal migrant labour. As part of the Industrial Strategy, this Government has allocated at least £200 million to the Farming Innovation Programme until 2030, which will continue to enable agri-tech innovation and growth. This includes research and development into the applications of automation in the horticulture sector. Defra has reviewed the role of automation in horticulture. It found that a range of new innovations and technologies, including automation, could boost productivity and resilience, but barriers like cost and access to funding remain.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department is taking steps to help support the (a) development and (b) deployment of (i) robotic and (ii) automated fruit-picking technologies.

The Government recognises that automation in horticulture (including robotic and automated fruit picking technologies) is a highly productive and valuable component of our wider agricultural system. Defra is supporting the development and deployment of robotic and automated fruit-picking technologies through targeted investment with the Farming Innovation Programme of £15 million into the development of horticultural robotics, automation and engineering innovation to date. Furthermore, the Government has allocated at least £200 million to the Farming Innovation Programme until 2030, which will continue to enable agri-tech innovation and growth, including technologies that will benefit the horticultural sector.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has had recent discussions with representatives of the fruit-growing sector on access to innovation funding for harvesting technologies.

We recognise the specific needs of the horticulture sector, and Defra ministers and officials meet regularly with a variety of growers from across the sector, including representatives from the fruit-growing sector, to discuss a wide range of issues to help us understand how best to support the sector.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of National Landscapes in protecting rare (a) habitats and (b) species.

National Landscapes are home to some of our most important habitats and species and taking action in these places will be crucial if we are to meet our Environmental Improvement Plan targets for nature’s recovery. We have recently published the Protected Landscapes Targets and Outcomes Framework Progress Report which details progress towards our national targets for nature recovery being made in our National Landscapes and National Parks. This is the first report on progress towards the targets set in the Protected Landscapes Targets and Outcomes Framework.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will take steps to prevent supermarkets from being able to cancel orders from vertical farms at short notice.

The Government is committed to tackling unfairness in the supply chain wherever it exists, which includes practices such as cancelling orders at short notice. Using the 'Fair Dealings' powers in the Agriculture Act 2020 we can introduce regulations to increase transparency and protect growers, including those with vertical horticulture systems, from unfair commercial practices. We are already making progress on developing ‘Fair Dealing’ regulations for the fresh produce sector, which will cover growers that sell directly to retail. These regulations could require that contracts include clear rules on notice periods, fair termination clauses and processes for changing agreed terms.

Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on updating planning guidance to require on-site water reuse and sustainable drainage in new developments.

In June this year, the Government introduced new national standards for sustainable drainage systems (SuDS), making clear SuDS should be designed to cope with changing climatic conditions as well as delivering wider water infrastructure benefits. This includes flood prevention and storm overflow reduction, offering reuse opportunities, reducing run off, and helping to improve water quality, amenity, and biodiversity. The standards should be used by local authorities when assessing applications for development which could affect drainage on or around the site, see paragraphs 181 and 182 of the National Planning Policy Framework. The Government is working towards rainwater harvesting at development scale. This includes supporting Ofwat with environmental incentive payments to developers for including rainwater systems in homes, reviewing the role of rainwater harvesting within water efficiency standards in the Building Regulations 2010 and the regulations relating to the management of dual pipe reuse systems for rainwater to be used in toilet flushing.