Written questions by Cleverly.

Food and Rural Affairs, if she will add a metric on the frequency of household waste collections to the Environment, Circular Economy and Climate Change metrics in the Local Outcomes Framework.

Awaiting answer.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether her department plans to put the Code of Practice on Litter and Refuse on a statutory basis.

We laid the ‘Code of Practice on Litter and Refuse’ in Parliament on 25 February 2026 and it became statutory guidance on the 6 April 2026. It outlines the standards expected of local councils and other duty bodies (e.g. National Highways) with regards to their duty to keep their land clear of litter and refuse. The guidance can be found on: Code of practice on litter and refuse - GOV.UK.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the MHCLG Chief Planner planning newsletter, of 5 March 2026, page 9-10, what steps are being taken to address the appeal delays for Forestry Commission appeals.

The Government inherited a backlog of appeals to restocking notices, some cases dating back to 2020. We are making progress to reduce the delays by a comprehensive action plan improving how appeals are progressed. This includes through enlarging the number of panel members who can hear appeals and increasing oversight including monthly ministerial meetings. We are also working to improve the awareness of the felling licence regime. This includes asking local authorities to work with developers to make it clear that unlawful tree felling can risk development being delayed.

Food and Rural Affairs, what the status is of her Department’s review of the definitions of irreplaceable habitats.

Between 16 December 2025 and 10 March 2026, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) consulted on changes to the National Planning Policy Framework. That consultation, which can be found on gov.uk here, included a proposal for an updated definition of irreplaceable habitat. MHCLG is currently analysing the feedback received and will publish a response in due course.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether she intends to ban wood-burning stoves in (a) domestic dwellings and (b) business hereditaments.

The Government is consulting on measures to reduce emissions from domestic combustion such as strengthened emission standards for new stoves, improved product labelling, and enhanced enforcement arrangements. Any future decisions will be based on the full range of evidence and consultation responses.

Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions or correspondence her Department has had since July 2024 with the Mayor of London on wood burning stoves in domestic dwellings.

Officials from Defra maintain regular engagement with the Greater London Authority on all aspects of improving air quality.

Food and Rural Affairs, who are the members of the Group Infrastructure Board; and has it has met.

The Defra Infrastructure Board formally launched, as recommended in the Corry review, in September 2025 and has been meeting regularly since. Membership consists of seniors across Defra Group and other Government departments, including the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department and its agencies have issued guidance to local planning authorities and planning applicants on development (a) on and (b) near land previously used as a foot and mouth burial pit.

Defra does not issue guidance on development on, or near land, previously used as a FMD pit.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether guidance has been given to (a) developers and (b) local planning authorities on development exclusion zones around former foot and mouth burial pits.

Defra does not issue guidance on development on, or near land, previously used as a FMD pit.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 21 November 2025, on Question 89461, on Greenpeace, what topics were discussed, on each date; and how many meetings have been held in total.

The Ministerial meeting returns found on GOV.UK note these occasions and the topics.

Food and Rural Affairs, what plans the Government has to restrict or ban the use of wood-burning stoves in homes.

We have launched a public consultation on a package of measures to reduce emissions from domestic burning, including proposals to tighten emission limits for new stoves, improve labelling and strengthen enforcement. We will consider all evidence before final decisions.

Food and Rural Affairs, what representations has her Department received on the closure of the (a) Smithfield and (b) Billingsgate market.

The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has not received any representations about the closure and relocation of Smithfield and Billingsgate markets. Defra is not responsible for Smithfield or Billingsgate markets. This is a matter for the City of London Corporation.

Food and Rural Affairs, what information her Department holds on which local authorities have introduced (a) three-weekly and (b) monthly residual household rubbish collections.

I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Isle of Wight East, Joe Robertson, on 20 December 2024, PQ UIN 19914.

Food and Rural Affairs, what guidance has her Department been to local highways authorities on the use of pesticides to ensure that pavements are safe and accessible for pedestrians.

There is a legal requirement to minimise the use of pesticides along roads and in areas used by the public. It is for each Local Authority to decide the best way of delivering cost-effective weed control in its operations while protecting people and the environment.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department has issued guidance on council farms.

Defra recently published the 74th annual report to Parliament on smallholdings in England. The report indicated that council farms continue to play an important role in the tenanted agricultural sector across England.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will list each date on which (a) Ministers and (b) Officials have had a meeting with Greenpeace since 4 July 2024.

Ministers have met with Greenpeace and discussions continue at an official level.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 27 June 2025 to Question 61182 on Litter: Codes of Practice, whether guidance has been given to local authorities on issuing fines under the Section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 for pouring liquids down a municipal drain.

Guidance to councils on the use of their fixed penalty powers for littering and related offences is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/code-of-practice-on-litter-and-refuse. The Government recently published a Pride in Place Strategy in which we committed to putting this guidance on a statutory footing and bringing forward equivalent enforcement guidance for fly-tipping. Fly-tipping is an offence under section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 27 June 2025 to Question 61182 on Litter: Codes of Practice, and with reference to paragraphs 78 and 79 of the Pride in Place strategy, published on 25 September 2025, whether her Department intends to respond to the consultation; and whether the proposed measures in the previous consultation to stop the abuse of litter fines for profit will now be implemented.

The consultation on statutory littering enforcement guidance was carried out under the previous Government. In the Pride in Place strategy, we have committed to publishing such guidance and intend do so early next year. Councils will remain responsible for their enforcement activity but will have a duty to have regard to the guidance once it comes into force.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential (a) costs and (b) merits of adding Ramsar sites to the Habitats Regulation rules.

Ramsar sites are wetlands of international importance designated under the Convention on Wetlands. Most Ramsar sites are also already designated as Habitats Sites or Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), and so subject to strict protections. However, in view of our international commitments as signatories to the Convention, it is Government policy that all Ramsar sites are afforded protection under the Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) process as a matter of policy. The statutory recognition of Ramsar sites through the Planning and Infrastructure Bill will formalise existing practice, reducing ambiguity and potential legal risk, and providing greater clarity and certainty for developers. Adding Ramsar sites to the Habitats Regulation also enables Ramsar sites, and development that impacts upon these sites, to benefit from the new Nature Restoration Fund model, supporting both nature recovery and sustainable development.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of (a) remaining in and (b) leaving the Aarhus Convention.

The Government remains committed to the effective implementation of its international obligations and to the three pillars of the Aarhus Convention of access to environmental information, participation in environmental decision-making and access to justice in environmental matters. We remain committed to working with the Convention's mechanisms to ensure it functions effectively and upholds these principles.