Every parliamentary written question tabled by Jeremy Corbyn this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 1–6 of 6 · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Food and Rural Affairs, what is the statutory basis for the Department's engagement with the National Farmers Union on farming issues.
Departments are required to consult when there is a statutory requirement to do so or a common law duty. Alternatively, in the absence of a legal requirement to consult, a department may engage in voluntary consultation where to do so assists in good poli...
Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure water companies are accountable to their users.
The Government’s Water (Special Measures) Act provide the most significant increase in enforcement powers for the regulators in a decade, giving them the teeth they need to take tougher action against water companies in the next investment period. The Act also enables the public to hold companies to account through introducing new, statutory reporting requirements for emergency overflows and pollution incidents. As announced in July 2024, consumers will gain powers to hold water company bosses to account through powerful new customer panels. The Water (Special Measures) Act now provides Ofwat with the power to make rules on company governance, including rules which achieve having arrangements in place for involving consumers in decisions that are likely to have an impact on consumer matters. Ofwat will conduct a consultation this summer that will determine the new rule and allow for the establishment of the panels. The Independent Commission published its results today. This can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/independent-water-commission-review-of-the-water-sector.
Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to support households with increases to water bills.
The Government expects companies to hold themselves accountable for their commitment to end Water Poverty by 2030 and will work with the sector to ensure appropriate measures are taken to this end. We are clear as Government that we expect water companies to ensure their customers know what support schemes are available and how to access them if they need help. We expect water companies to put robust support in place for vulnerable customers and keep current support schemes under review to ensure vulnerable customers are supported and access the support they are entitled to.
Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to respond to the consultation entitled the Fur market in Great Britain, published on 31 May 2021.
Ministers are reviewing policies, which will be announced in the usual way, including the consultation on the Fur Market in Great Britain. Defra is continuing to build the evidence base on the fur sector. This includes commissioning our expert Animal Welfare Committee (AWC) on what constitutes responsible sourcing of fur. The report that they produce will support our understanding of the fur industry and help inform our next steps. We have some of the highest animal welfare standards in the world and this Labour Government will introduce the most ambitious programme for animal welfare in a generation.
Food and Rural Affairs, if his Department will (a) make an assessment of the potential merits of banning the use of farrowing crates and (b) hold a public consultation on such a ban.
We are firmly committed to maintaining and improving animal welfare and will work closely with the farming sector to deliver high standards.
Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to bring forward legislative proposals to ban the import of hunting trophies.
The government committed in its manifesto to banning the import of hunting trophies.