Written questions by Morgan.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department has produced a recent risk assessment for the impact of canal embankment breaches on narrowboats.

Responsibility for the safe operation of canals rests with the navigation authorities. In the case of the Canal and River Trust, Defra officials meet the Trust’s senior management team to discuss the Trust’s work and use of the Government grant funding, as well as engaging regularly with the Trust throughout the year on any matters as they arise.

Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of establishing an emergency contingency fund to support (a) waterways-dependent businesses and (b) tourism in the context of the December 2025 canal breach in Whitchurch.

Defra’s relationship with the inland waterways sector focuses on providing grant support for the two largest navigation authorities, the Canal and River Trust and the EA Navigations, which between them cover around 2,630 miles of waterways. This support contributes to the infrastructure maintenance of their networks, while respecting their operational independence to manage their waterways for the benefit of businesses and tourism.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to improve the structural integrity of the canal network.

Responsibility for ensuring the structural integrity of the canal network rests with the navigation authorities concerned. The largest navigation authority is the Canal and River Trust, with some 2,000 miles of waterways. The Government is currently providing the Trust with an annual grant of £52.6 million to support maintenance of the network infrastructure and has agreed a further £401 million grant for the ten years 2027-2037.

Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make it her policy to reclassify equine germinal products imported from the EU as medium risk.

Equine germinal products are a high-risk commodity and require 100% documentary and identity checks upon import from the EU under the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM). The SPS agreement, outlined at the UK-EU Leader’s Summit on 19th May 2025, will establish a common Sanitary and Phytosanitary Area, aimed at facilitating the safe and efficient trade. The SPS Agreement will cover sanitary rules and the regulation of germinal product, including animal health conditions governing imports. We are aiming to conclude negotiations and have legislative arrangements in place no later than 2027, subject to discussion with the EU. Regarding the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM), we have been clear that compliance with the existing BTOM controls must continue until further notice, because the UK’s biosecurity and public health must continue to be protected.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to speed up the processing of (a) equines and (b) equine semen at border control points.

To protect GB biosecurity, official import controls are undertaken at Border Control Posts (BCP) on consignments of equine semen from all countries and equines from countries other than EU and EFTA. Import controls on equines from EU and EFTA countries take place at destination. Regular APHA audits of these import controls ensures that they are completed in an effective, considerate of animal welfare and timely manner. In recognition of the logistical challenges associated with the importation and official import controls at a Border Control Post (BCP), specifically chilled equine semen, a facilitation scheme was introduced by Defra and has been operating for the 2024 and 2025 breeding seasons allowing unimpeded movement of these consignments through the BCP.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will assess the merits of suspending mandatory border control point checks for consignments of equine semen sent from approved EU centres.

All consignments of equine germinal products imported into GB from the EU and EFTA countries are required to undergo import controls at a designated Border Control Post. A facilitation scheme remains in place to address logistical issues associated with the import of chilled equine germinal products. The SPS agreement, currently being negotiated between GB and the EU, will largely supersede the current import requirements and significantly reduce the burden on GB industry.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether her department's food strategy will include measures to address obesity and dietary-related diseases separate to those announced in the 10-year health plan for England.

The outcomes set out in the food strategy include an improved food environment that supports healthier and more environmentally sustainable food sales, and access to affordable, healthy food for all, particularly those on low incomes. They also include valued regional and local food cultures, with people more connected to local food systems, with the confidence, knowledge and skills to cook and eat healthily. Defra is working closely with the Department for Health and Social Care on delivery of food-related elements of the 10 Year Health Plan. These include restricting junk food advertising, introducing mandatory reporting and targets for healthier food sales, strengthening the impact of advertising and promotions restrictions by applying the updated Nutrient Profiling Model, and uplifting the weekly value of Healthy Start by 10%. The Government is exploring options to create and promote a vibrant food culture at a national, regional and local level, to connect people to their local food systems and better support local and place-based initiatives.

Food and Rural Affairs, what biosecurity procedures are in place for (a) detained and (b) uncollected meat consignments at UK border control posts to prevent the transmission of African Swine Fever.

All consignments of pork and pork products are checked at bio-secure border control posts to ensure that they have been effectively treated to mitigate the risk of African Swine Fever or they originate from a region declared free of the disease. Border Force with the support of Port Health Authorities carry out checks at the border to identify, seize and destroy illegally smuggled meat.

Food and Rural Affairs, how many seizures of illegal pork imports have been recorded at UK ports and airports in the last 12 months.

Defra does not record this information. Border Force, supported by port health and local authorities, is responsible for seizing illegal imports of pork at UK ports and airports.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the risk of African Swine Fever entering the UK.

Defra’s latest assessment for African Swine Fever (ASF) dated 1 December 2025, considers that the risk of the virus entering the UK remains at medium. We have strict measures in place to mitigate this risk. These include the listing of countries and regions eligible to export pigs and porcine products to Great Britain commercially, prohibitions on importing pigs, fresh pig meat, porcine semen and untreated porcine meat products from areas with ASF, veterinary health certification, and import checks at the border. Personal imports of pork and pork products are not permitted. It is also illegal to feed catering waste to livestock.

Food and Rural Affairs, how many consignments of pork meat and associated products originating from Spain have been seized at UK borders since 28 November 2025.

The seizure data for detained consignments associated with a specific disease outbreak is recorded locally by Port Health Authorities. Defra does not record this information centrally.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to help support the financial viability of farming businesses in North Shropshire constituency.

Supporting farmers in North Shropshire and across the country is a key priority for the Government. We have allocated a record £11.8bn to sustainable farming and food production over this parliament. We are targeting public money where it delivers most value, including actions that support nature to produce good food, and providing grants to help the sector access cutting-edge technology and techniques. We have started to make the supply chain fairer, so farmers are protected in contracts with supermarkets, and are unlocking new markets for British produce to fuel growth. We will continue our work to make farming and food production more profitable in the decades to come. We are working with farmers, farming and environmental organisations to develop the Farming Roadmap, which will set the course of farming in England for the next 25 years.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to help support dairy farmers in North Shropshire constituency.

The UK dairy sector is highly resilient and adaptable and continues to supply healthy and affordable products in spite of the many challenges it has faced in re-cent years. This Government recognises that food security is national security, and that it requires a resilient and healthy food system that works with nature and supports farmers. That is why we are introducing new deals for farmers to boost rural economic growth and strengthen food security. Ensuring fairness in supply chains is key for UK dairy farmers and supporting the sustainability of the sector. The Fair Dealing Obligations (Milk) Regulations 2024, which fully came into force on 9 July 2025, improve fairness and transparency, requiring dairy contracts to include clear terms on pricing, termination, and prohibiting unilateral changes.

Food and Rural Affairs, if she will take steps with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to help improve mental health support for farmers.

The Secretary of State regularly holds confidential discussions with Cabinet colleagues on a range of issues, including improving mental health support for farmers.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 3 November 2025 to Question 86349 on Flood Control: Shropshire, if she will provide a breakdown of the projects being funded, including the level of funding for each project, in North Shropshire constituency during 2024 to 2026.

Project NameParliamentary Constituencies - Project AreaTotal (£)Breakdown of totals (£)Total 24/25Total 25/26GiA 24/25GiA 25/26Local Levy 24/25Local Levy 25/26Private Contributions 24/25Private Contributions 25/26Severn Valley Water Management SchemeMultiple constituencies benefit which include North Shropshire2,366,2561,925,9082,366,2561,925,9080000Demonstrator Project - Nature Based Solutions - Morda DepaveNorth Shropshire120,410168,923120,410168,9230000Demonstrator Project - Nature Based Solutions - Perry and PeatlandsNorth Shropshire112,406337,406112,406337,4060000River Morda Mitigation MeasuresNorth Shropshire0400,0000200,000000200,000Gobowen Flood Alleviation Scheme Ordinary Watercourse Flooding ShropshireNorth Shropshire050,00000050,00000

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of changes to stocking density regulations on production levels in chicken farms.

No recent changes have been introduced to on farm poultry stocking density regulations. We are aware that many poultry producers are switching to lower stocking densities in response to a retailer led voluntary initiative as part of the industry’s Better Chicken Commitment. We continue to monitor the poultry market but have yet to see any significant fall in poultry production since the industry’s adoption of lower stocking densities.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to protect homes and businesses in North Shropshire from flooding this winter.

The Environment Agency (EA) is committed to working with partners and communities to prepare for flooding this winter. The EA responds to incidents and manages flood risk, operates a 24/7 service to warn and inform, continually monitors the weather and river networks, and issues alerts and warnings when required. Preparing for and during flooding, the EA’s teams carry out essential operational activities by checking assets and removing obstructions that increase flood risk. Please help by encouraging people to sign up to the EA’s new and improved free flood warning service which can be accessed here: Get flood warnings by text, phone or email - GOV.UK

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the press release titled Record investment to protect thousands of UK homes and businesses, published on 4 February 2025, how much of the £2.65 billion of funding announced for flood defences will be allocated to projects in (a) North Shropshire constituency and (b) Shropshire.

Within the current Flood Risk Management investment programme 2021–2026, over £15 million has been invested in Shropshire to reduce flood risk to people and property. Between 2024 and 2026 over £5 million of investment will benefit the North Shropshire constituency to reduce flood risk.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the press release titled Record investment to protect thousands of UK homes and businesses, published on 4 February 2025, how much of the £2.65 billion of funding announced for flood defences will be allocated to (a) projects along the River Perry, and (b) protecting housing and businesses in Gobowen.

a: The Environment Agency is developing the Severn Valley Water Management Scheme. This will provide a strategic holistic approach in the Upper Severn catchment, including the River Perry, to manage flood risk and explore how natural processes can be delivered at scale, complimented by traditional engineering approaches. The total value of this strategy within the announcement (24/25-25/26) is £4.3m million. In addition, £290k is being invested in a Demonstrator project in Oswestry, North Shropshire, to ‘de-pave’, and create new, water absorbing greenspaces. This will improve drainage and slow the flow of water in the built environment. Also £450k is being invested to investigate the rewetting of lowland peat in the Perry catchment. b: Shropshire Council have secured £50,000 from the English Severn and Wye Regional Flood and Coastal Committee to investigate a flood scheme to protect approximately 100 properties and rail infrastructure in Gobowen.

Food and Rural Affairs, if her Department will carry out a risk assessment on the impact of the Environment Agency ceasing maintenance of the River Perry.

On the River Perry, the EA has not ceased maintenance activities. The EA continues to carry out critical maintenance work, focussing on significant obstructions, like fallen trees blocking the river channel. The EA’s maintenance approach on the River Perry is to focus on specific communities at risk of flooding as this is found to offer the greatest benefit in reducing flood risk. The primary responsibility for river maintenance rests with individual landowners. The Environment Agency (EA) prioritises its public funded maintenance activities on main rivers, focussing efforts where they have the greatest benefit.