Written questions by Downie.

Food and Rural Affairs, what data her Department holds on the number of victim-survivors of domestic abuse who delay leaving an abusive situation due to concerns for the safety or housing of their pets.

As set out in the Animal Welfare Strategy, Defra has commissioned a research project, led by the University of Bristol, to explore the link between animal abuse and domestic abuse and to identify additional opportunities for intervention. Defra will consider the outcomes of this research once complete. Defra committed in the Animal Welfare Strategy to work with charities to increase the awareness of fostering services available for the pets of victim-survivors to encourage them to flee from abuse. In February 2026, Baroness Hayman of Ullock visited the Cats Protection Lifeline project to discuss and promote its pet‑fostering service for victim-survivors. The Department remains in regular discussions with organisations providing such services, including the Dogs Trust’s Freedom Project. Defra does not hold the requested data.

Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make an assessment of the effectiveness of role of (a) Dogs Trust’s Freedom and (b) other specialist services in supporting victim-survivors of domestic abuse who are unable to leave abusive households due to concerns about their pets.

As set out in the Animal Welfare Strategy, Defra has commissioned a research project, led by the University of Bristol, to explore the link between animal abuse and domestic abuse and to identify additional opportunities for intervention. Defra will consider the outcomes of this research once complete. Defra committed in the Animal Welfare Strategy to work with charities to increase the awareness of fostering services available for the pets of victim-survivors to encourage them to flee from abuse. In February 2026, Baroness Hayman of Ullock visited the Cats Protection Lifeline project to discuss and promote its pet‑fostering service for victim-survivors. The Department remains in regular discussions with organisations providing such services, including the Dogs Trust’s Freedom Project. Defra does not hold the requested data.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to increase awareness of (a) links between animal abuse and pet abuse and (b) fostering services available for pet owners experiencing domestic abuse.

As set out in the Animal Welfare Strategy, Defra has commissioned a research project, led by the University of Bristol, to explore the link between animal abuse and domestic abuse and to identify additional opportunities for intervention. Defra will consider the outcomes of this research once complete. Defra committed in the Animal Welfare Strategy to work with charities to increase the awareness of fostering services available for the pets of victim-survivors to encourage them to flee from abuse. In February 2026, Baroness Hayman of Ullock visited the Cats Protection Lifeline project to discuss and promote its pet‑fostering service for victim-survivors. The Department remains in regular discussions with organisations providing such services, including the Dogs Trust’s Freedom Project. Defra does not hold the requested data.

Food and Rural Affairs, how many bans on animal ownership have been imposed by Courts in each of the last five years.

Animal health and welfare is a devolved matter. For England, the information requested is not held centrally.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of legislation protecting livestock in the UK as compared to other OECD nations.

The UK is widely recognised as one of the global leaders in animal health and welfare. We are a member of the World Organisation for Animal Health, and we have a broad legislative base, associated strategies and contingency plans enabling us to protect livestock from animal disease threats. Defra is committed to maintaining and improving the UK's high standards of animal health and welfare. The Prime Minister has announced that we will be publishing an animal welfare strategy by the end of the year.

Food and Rural Affairs, what the volume of trade is that is required to be processed through each additional border control post constructed in the UK as a result of the UK exiting the EU.

Defra does not hold information on what volumes of trade are required to be processed via individual border control posts due to the UK leaving the EU. The Government has worked with commercial ports to ensure that the infrastructure required to facilitate trade is in place, while also respecting the discretion of port operators and other stakeholders to make decisions on a commercial basis about the use of their infrastructure and facilities. Further information on which ports are designated as BCPs, is available on GOV.UK. Animals, animal products and HRFNAO imports: authorised border control posts in the UK - GOV.UK.

Food and Rural Affairs, what the cost was of each additional order border control post constructed in the UK as a result of the UK's departure from the EU.

Through the Port Infrastructure Fund (PIF), the Government provided grants totalling nearly £200 million to 41 ports to construct infrastructure required for import controls following the UK leaving the EU. Information on ports which received funding from the Ports Infrastructure Fund is available on GOV.UK: Port Infrastructure Fund - successful applicants - GOV.UK.

Food and Rural Affairs, which additional border control posts have been constructed in the UK due to the UK's departure from the EU.

The following BCPs have been newly constructed since the UK left the EU: Dover Bastion, Harwich, Heysham, Holyhead (Welsh Government project), Liverpool 2, Newhaven, Poole, Portsmouth, Purfleet, Sevington, Tyne. Further information on the designation of ports is available on GOV.UK.Animals, animal products and HRFNAO imports: authorised border control posts in the UK - GOV.UK.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will provide a breakdown of (a) the type of freight and (b) its value processed at the border control post at Grangemouth.

Defra does not hold information on the value of freight going through Grangemouth BCP. The BCP is designated for the importation of products of animal origin (POAO), high risk food and feed not of animal origin (HRFFNAO), and plastic kitchenware. Further details are available on GOV.UK:Animals, animal products and HRFNAO imports: authorised border control posts in the UK - GOV.UK

Food and Rural Affairs, how much freight has been processed at the border control post in Grangemouth in (a) tonnes and (b) GBP value since its creation.

Defra does not hold the volume of freight or the GBP value of freight that is processed at Grangemouth BCP due to commercial sensitivity.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will conduct an audit of environmental infrastructure classified as critically important to national interests to identify whether they contain Chinese-made components.

The UK will not compromise on economic security and will continue to prioritise national security and resilience. We will continue to cooperate with China on trade and investment, recognising there will also be areas where we need to challenge non-market policies and protect sensitive sectors of the economy. We will continue to support UK business to engage with the second largest economy in the world, while being clear-eyed to any risks and ensuring security and resilience. The National Technical Authorities (National Cyber Security Centre and National Protective Security Authority) provide advice to critical national infrastructure (CNI) industry on best practice for CNI security and resilience. Defra does not comment publicly on specific matters related to its CNI.