Written questions by Cleverly.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the publication entitled Changes to the Single Data List from April 2020, updated 8 May 2026, for what reason the data collection on Strategic Overview of Flood and C

Awaiting answer.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the answer of 21 April 2026, to Question 124787, on Forestry Commission: Appeals, what steps are taken to ensure panel members are independent of the Forestry Commiss

Awaiting answer.

Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate has (a) her Department and (b) WRAP made of the number of waste collection authorities that have adopted (i) three weekly or (ii) monthly collections of residual househol

Awaiting answer.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Answer of 16 March 2026 to Question 118757 on Wood-burning stoves, whether she has written to or received written correspondence from the Greater London Authority

Departmental records indicate that the Secretary of State has not written to, or received written correspondence from, the Greater London Authority on wood burning stoves since July 2024. Defra officials meet regularly with the Greater London Authority on...

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Answer of 24 March 2026 to Question 113652 on Foot and Mouth Disease: Contamination, what guidance on the disposal of carcasses her Department has published relat

The Animal and Plant Health Agency have instructions for the disposal of animals culled to control the disease. The Foot and Mouth Disease Control Strategy for Great Britain, and Defra’s latest Contingency plan for exotic notifiable diseases of animals in...

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the answer of 14 April 2026, to Question 125498, on Fly-tipping: Rural Areas, if she will make it his policy to give more powers to councils to tackling fly-tipping b

The Government does not consider it necessary to give more powers to councils to tackle fly-tipping specifically caused by travellers. Councils already have powers to take enforcement action against anyone fly-tipping. These are outlined in my response to...

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the answer of 24 March 2026, to Question 113652, on Foot and Mouth Disease: Contamination, whether the Environment Agency has given any advice or guidance on the plan

The responsibility for the disposal of carcasses and ash during the 2001 Foot and Mouth outbreak rested with DEFRA (then Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food), subject to the Groundwater Regulations 1998, which were administered by the Environment ...

Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department has ended its policy of non-engagement with Greenpeace.

Greenpeace is not subject to any formal non-engagement policy.

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.

Defra does not plan to include a metric on the frequency of household waste collections to the Environment, Circular Economy and Climate Change metrics in the Local Outcomes Framework.

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, 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 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, 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, 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, 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 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.