Written questions by Allister.

Food and Rural Affairs, what information her Department holds on the prevalence of non-stun slaughter for Halal meat production in each year since 2015; and whether she has received representations from relevant stakeholders on animal welfare standards.

UK data regarding the number or proportion of animals slaughtered using the halal method without prior stunning is not collected. The Food Standards Agency carries out a periodic slaughter sector survey in England and Wales, which started in 2011. Links to previous slaughter sector surveys are available here. The Department has regular engagement with stakeholders on animal welfare standards.

Whether his Department held a pre-publication briefing of the Independent Review of the Windsor Framework with representatives of the Alliance Party.

As stated previously, the Northern Ireland Office speaks to parties regularly and does not give a running commentary on those discussions.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department is taking steps to help support Christians in sub-Saharan Africa affected by (a) religious violence and (b) conflict.

The UK is committed to championing Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) for all, and we recognise the issue of persecution of Christians globally on account of their faith, alongside other groups. We continue to seek opportunities to highlight these issues through the UN, G7 and as a member of the Article 18 Alliance, ensuring joint international action on FoRB, including in sub-Saharan Africa.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps her Department is taking to help tackle Christian persecution.

The UK is committed to championing Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) for all, and we recognise the issue of persecution of Christians globally on account of their faith, alongside other groups. We continue to seek opportunities to highlight these issues through the UN, G7 and as a member of the Article 18 Alliance, ensuring joint international action on FoRB, including in sub-Saharan Africa.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to help tackle (a) Fulani militants, (b) Boko Haram and (c) other Islamist extremists in Nigeria.

Nigeria is witnessing rising conflict and insecurity, including violent extremism and intercommunal violence. Violence in Nigeria's North-East is driven by terrorist groups including Boko Haram, who target all those who do not subscribe to their extremist views. These attacks are distinct from the intercommunal violence across Nigeria's Middle Belt. The UK Government is committed to supporting Nigeria to address these challenges by working with Nigeria's security forces, and through peacebuilding efforts to tackle the root causes of violence. Through our UK-Nigeria Security and Defence Partnership, we are supporting Nigeria to tackle insecurity and promote human rights. This includes facilitating civil-military cooperation within North-East communities and utilising UK experience to strengthen the National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC). Additionally, the UK's Strengthening Peace and Resilience programme ('SPRING') works to address the root causes of intercommunal violence across Nigeria's Middle Belt, through collaboration with local communities to support productive livelihoods for both farmers and pastoralists.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to (a) protect persecuted Christians and (b) promote religious freedom.

The UK is committed to championing Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) for all, and we recognise the issue of persecution of Christians globally on account of their faith, alongside other groups. We continue to seek opportunities to highlight these issues through the UN, G7 and as a member of the Article 18 Alliance, ensuring joint international action on FoRB, including in sub-Saharan Africa.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether manure that is (a) subject to (i) annual returns to the Northern Ireland Environment Agency and (ii) veterinary approval and (b) has been granted a licence by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine of the Government of Ireland can lawfully be transported from livestock farms in Northern Ireland to the Republic of Ireland.

This is a devolved matter and the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Executive.

Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the decision of the European Parliament on the naming of vegetable products of 8 October 2025 on the sale of vegan sausages made in Great Britain to Northern Ireland.

Under the Windsor Framework, the Northern Ireland Retail Movement Scheme (NIRMS) allows products to move to Northern Ireland whilst meeting UK consumer protection and marketing standards. Therefore, vegan sausages which are made in Great Britain and moved to NI in this way should not be affected by the newly proposed EU rules governing the labelling of plant-based products. The Government continues to monitor changes to EU regulations and is committed to safeguarding the smooth flow of goods to Northern Ireland. Furthermore, any new EU rules are subject to the democratic scrutiny arrangements under the Windsor Framework.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 10 July 2025 to Question 65431 on Import Controls, whether the construction of the border control posts at (i) Belfast, (ii) Larne, (iii) Foyle and (iv) Warrenpoint had been completed by 13 October 2025; how much and what proportion of the total costs of the construction of those posts had been paid by 13 October 2025; and what estimate she has made of the total cost to the public purse for the construction of those posts.

In line with the commitments we have made under the Windsor Framework, SPS inspection facilities have been constructed and are operational in Northern Ireland at the ports of Foyle, Warrenpoint, Belfast and Larne with some remedial works at Larne carrying on into 2026. The Government has committed to a maximum funding envelope of £192.3 million for all the facilities at each of the 4 ports. Of this envelope, Defra has spent £127.4 million up to the 13 October 2025.

With reference to the Specialised Committee on the Implementation of the Windsor Framework: Joint Statement, 2 October 2025, what the pending issues are that the Committee agreed to make progress on at high pace.

The Government regularly engages with the EU on the Windsor Framework, which it is implementing on an ongoing basis in line with its manifesto commitment to doing so and its commitment to the UK internal market. UK/EU Specialised Committee meetings are conducted in line with the confidentiality obligations set out in Annex VIII of the Withdrawal Agreement, with agendas being released in advance and a statement following the meeting at GOV.UK. Information is provided in the most recent statement of 2 October on the operational activity being undertaken in the areas of SPS and customs to support the smooth operation of the Windsor Framework, and the Government will continue to engage all relevant stakeholders as it moves forward.

With reference to the Specialised Committee on the Implementation of the Windsor Framework: Joint Statement, 2 October 20255, if he will publish further detail on the significant work that remains to be undertaken to deliver in full the safeguards underpinning the flexibilities for the movement of goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

The Government regularly engages with the EU on the Windsor Framework, which it is implementing on an ongoing basis in line with its manifesto commitment to doing so and its commitment to the UK internal market. UK/EU Specialised Committee meetings are conducted in line with the confidentiality obligations set out in Annex VIII of the Withdrawal Agreement, with agendas being released in advance and a statement following the meeting at GOV.UK. Information is provided in the most recent statement of 2 October on the operational activity being undertaken in the areas of SPS and customs to support the smooth operation of the Windsor Framework, and the Government will continue to engage all relevant stakeholders as it moves forward.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 10 July 2025 to Question 65430 on Import Controls, whether the border control posts at Belfast, Larne, Foyle and Warrenpoint are now fully operational.

I can confirm that the new SPS inspection facilities at Foyle, Warrenpoint, Belfast and Larne are all operational.

Pursuant to the Answer of 10 September 2025 to Question 74994 on the Independent Review of the Windsor Framework, which hon. Members from Northern Ireland were given an advanced briefing on the reports contents by the Northern Ireland Office.

As stated previously, the Northern Ireland Office speaks to parties regularly and does not give a running commentary on those discussions.

How many inbound anti-smuggling checks have been conducted by the Border Force at (a) Belfast, (b) Larne and (c) Warrenpoint ports since 2021.

This information is not held in an easily accessible format.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether Lord Mandelson is entitled to financial compensation following his removal as Ambassador to the US.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 14 October to Question 77564.

Which parties were offered an advance briefing on the Independent Review of the Windsor Framework.

The Rt Hon Lord Murphy engaged widely across the political spectrum during the Independent Review. The Northern Ireland Office speaks to parties regularly and does not give a running commentary on those discussions.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of his decision not to extend the Movement Assistance Scheme beyond 30 June 2025 on Northern Ireland buyers of impacted Great Britain products moving those products into Northern Ireland.

Defra, like other Government departments, must prioritise its spending as part of the work to tackle the financial situation this Government inherited. The Department considered evidence on scheme closure from supermarkets and other retailers, producers and trade bodies. There was no evidence that the cessation of MAS would have anything beyond a marginal impact on Northern Ireland consumers. For context, MAS reimbursed £7 million of certification and testing costs but the total value of GB-NI agri-food movements last year was £3 billion.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he has taken to ensure that the decision not to extend the Movement Assistance Scheme a third time was compliant with his obligations under Section 46 of the Internal Market Act 2020.

The Movement Assistance Scheme (MAS) was always intended to be time limited. It was originally set up for a period of three months, and on review it was renewed for a further three months before being extended until December 2023. The decision to extend MAS until June 2025, to align with implementation of the Windsor Framework, was made public on 10th October 2023. There was never a suggestion it would extend beyond this date. MAS was created and extended to provide transitional support to businesses following the end of the transition period and during implementation of the Windsor Framework. Defra remains committed to the ongoing support for Great Britain-Northern Ireland trade delivered through the Northern Ireland Retail Movement Scheme and the Northern Ireland Plant Health Labelling Scheme, plus the ongoing work to reach an SPS agreement with the EU.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether the Movement Assistance Scheme operating until 30 June 2025 had a statutory foundation beyond that set out by the Plant Health etc. (Miscellaneous Fees) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/623).

At its inception, Defra relied on the Supply and Appropriation (Main Estimates) Act 2020 as legal authority for spending on the Movement Assistance Scheme (MAS). Under the Act, Defra is permitted to spend public money on matters such as “deliver[ing] social, environmental and economic programmes”; “Promotion and support for sustainable development, consumption and production”; and “Support[ing] a sustainable, secure and healthy food supply”. On 1 September 2022, legal authority for spending on MAS moved to s.50 of the United Kingdom Internal Market Act 2020. The Plant Health etc. (Miscellaneous Fees) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1391) extended the exemption from payment of fees in connection with applications for phytosanitary certificates only.

Food and Rural Affairs, for what reason businesses in Northern Ireland are being charged (a) £127.60 per GB inspection of GB potatoes they wish to buy and move to Northern Ireland and (b) different rates for each SPS certificate depending on the GB farm from which the potatoes are bought.

This is a devolved matter and the costs provided relate to England and Wales only. Phytosanitary certificates are required for the movement of ware potatoes from Great Britain to Northern Ireland to confirm freedom from pests and diseases. Each consignment must be inspected before certification. The inspection carries a minimum charge of £127.60 for the first 30 minutes, with an additional fee of £63.80 for every subsequent 15 minutes. A certificate is issued for each consignment at a cost of £25.52. Where multiple consignments are presented for inspection at the same time, this allows for more efficient use of inspector time and can reduce the cost per consignment.