Written questions by Morris.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 4 July 2025 to Question 64014 on Food Supply, by what metrics his Department (a) measures and (b) forecasts annual domestic food production.

Defra produces a comprehensive set of metrics to measure annual domestic food production but does not produce forecasts of domestic food production. These statistics cover a wide range of indicators, including: Arable & Horticultural crop areasCrop yieldsVolume of production and value of crops, fruit and vegetables, red meat, poultry, dairy, and eggsVolume of production of dairy and egg productsImports and exports of agricultural commoditiesTotal domestic uses of these commoditiesLivestock populations, including the breeding population, of cattle, pigs, sheep, and poultryProduction to Supply ratios of all major agricultural commodities These metrics are publicly available in either the annual publication "Agriculture in the United Kingdom" at Agriculture in the United Kingdom - GOV.UK or on the Food & Farming Statistics publication page at Food, Farming and Bio-security statistics - GOV.UK.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to (a) strengthen national food security and (b) increase levels of domestic food production.

Food security is national security. We need a resilient and healthy food system, that works with nature and supports British farmers, fishers and food producers. The Government’s commitment to farming and food security remains steadfast which is why the government is investing £2.7 billion a year into sustainable food production and nature’s recovery, with funding for our Environmental Land Management schemes increasing by 150%. Work is underway to develop an ambitious new food strategy to set the food system up for long term success. The strategy will deliver wide ranging improvements to ensure it is able to feed the nation, realise its potential for economic growth, protect the planet, and nourish individuals. We work closely with the Cabinet Office and other Lead Government Departments ensuring food supply is fully incorporated as part of emergency preparedness, including consideration of dependencies on other sectors.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will take steps to introduce a national digital equine ID system.

This is a devolved matter, and the information provided therefore relates to England only. The Government recognises the importance of the equine sector to the UK economy and of improving equine identification. We have no current plans to implement mandatory digital identification, but we remain in close touch with the industry to look at potential improvements to equine ID.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the closure of the Border Inspection Post at Stansted Airport on the British horseracing industry; and whether he plans to take steps to ensure that horses are able to continue travelling to and from the UK by air.

Defra is aware that Stansted has signalled an intention to relocate its Border Inspection Post to another site and that the timing of this remains uncertain. This is a commercial decision for the airport’s owners. No application to de-designate the existing site or designate a new site has been received. The Department stands ready to help progress such applications when received.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he has taken to improve the traceability of horses in Great Britain.

This is a devolved matter, and the information provided therefore relates to England only. The Government recognises the importance of the equine sector to the UK economy and of improving equine traceability. Defra is engaging with industry stakeholders to consider improvements to the current regime. Defra also regularly engages with officials in the devolved governments to discuss matters of equine identification and traceability. Officials also share data on equines located in the UK with the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in Northern Ireland and with the Department for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in the Republic of Ireland. The majority of equine movements into and out of GB take place between the island of Ireland and GB.

Food and Rural Affairs, what progress his Department has made on reducing barriers to cross-border travel for thoroughbred horses since 6 February 2025.

There have been no changes to the rules for importing thoroughbred horses into Great Britain since 6 February 2025. Imports of thoroughbred horses from the European Union do not currently need to enter Great Britain via a Border Control Post and are not subject to physical checks at the border. Guidance on importing horses into Great Britain is available on gov.uk.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to publish an Access to Nature White Paper.

We will make further announcements on plans to develop policy on access to nature in due course.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether goals to improve (a) access to and (b) engagement with nature are part of the Rapid Review of the current Environmental Improvement Plan; and what plans he has to engage with stakeholders representing public access to the outdoors as part of this process.

On the 30 July the Government announced a rapid review of the Environmental Improvement Plan to revise our plan for significantly improving the environment and enjoyment of it. The Government is committed to enhancing public access to nature, as evidenced by our manifesto commitment to create nine new national river walks and three new national forests. We are currently considering how best to continue to drive forward our goals in this area and will be engaging with stakeholders as we do so.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has made a recent assessment of the potential merits of granting rights of access to rivers to (a) kayakers and (b) swimmers.

Inland waterways such as canals and rivers are categorised as regulated (mostly canals and some larger rivers, owned by a navigation authority) and unregulated (mostly smaller rivers and no canals, owned/managed by riparian landowners along their length). If the waterway is owned or managed by a navigation authority, access can be obtained through the navigation authority’s licensing regime. If the waterway is unregulated then access should be negotiated with the relevant landowners through local voluntary access agreements, to ensure the interests of all parties concerned are considered. Legislating on this issue is not (currently) Government policy. To formally designate a site as a bathing water, an application must be submitted to Defra. Defra welcomes applications for both coastal and inland waters such as lakes and rivers. Local authorities, groups and individuals can apply for sites to be designated. Defra encourages this by writing to local authority Chief Executives, and stakeholders like Swimming Associations.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment has he made of the potential merits of opening up green belt land to responsible public access.

The Government recognises the importance of providing access to the outdoors for people’s health and wellbeing.We are actively working on initiatives that enhance access to nature in other areas. We will create nine new National River Walks, plant three new National Forests and empower communities to create new parks and green spaces in their communities with a new Community Right to Buy.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will take steps to implement the aims of the Right to Roam campaign.

Our countryside and green spaces are a source of great national pride, but too many across the country are left without access to the great outdoors. That is why the last Labour Government expanded public access by introducing the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, which provides the public with access to large areas of mountain, moor, heath, down, registered common land, and coastal margin in England. The Department will continue to enhance public access by creating nine new National River Walks, planting three new National Forests, and empowering communities to develop new parks and green spaces through a new Community Right to Buy. Further details on our plans will be announced in due course