Written questions by Morris.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps are being taken to ensure the enforcement of regular risk assessment and monitoring of private water supplies by local authorities as per their responsibilities outlined in the Private Water Supplies Regulations 2016.

Private water supplies are regulated by local authorities. They are responsible for identifying risks to the quality of the water and must have comprehensive monitoring programmes in place to sample the drinking water for any element, organism or substance that they believe may cause the supply not to be wholesome. Defra expects all local authorities to undertake their statutory duties. Local authorities are regularly reminded of their duties, and where they may not be being complied with, in the Chief Inspector of Drinking Water’s annual reports on the quality of private water supplies in England. Local authorities’ compliance with reporting duties is raised by officials from Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government through their regular liaison meeting with the Local Government Association.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to mitigate the loss and fragmentation of open moorland habitats across the UK.

Moorland areas contain a wide variety of habitats and species of importance. We are committed, through grant programmes such as Landscape Recovery, Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier, the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) and Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL), to creating a network of bigger, better and more resilient habitats to help nature thrive. Additionally, Defra, in partnership with Dr Hilary Cottam OBE, has been working closely with upland communities across England to better understand the unique challenges and opportunities in these landscapes. These insights are being shared across Defra and next steps are being developed.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to ensure food and drink producers in the North East can access government support for reducing trade barriers.

Our global network of 16 agrifood and drink attachés are breaking down market access barriers and creating new export opportunities, delivering benefits to businesses in Northumberland, the broader North East region and across the UK. So far this year we have pulled down 41 trade barriers, estimated by industry to be worth nearly £100 million to the British food and drink sector. We work closely with industry to identify and resolve barriers, taking into account value, sectoral priorities and importance to local economies. Together with market access secured through Free Trade Agreements, such as the recent agreement with India, this opens the door to British businesses to capitalise on strong global demand for British produce. Businesses in the North East can report a barrier directly through the online report a barrier service or via their trade association. There are a range of tools and support available for exporters through the Business Growth Service via business.gov.uk.

Food and Rural Affairs, what conversations her Department is having with relevant stakeholders in Hexham constituency to support local communities involvement in the management of tree planting.

Defra’s Nature for Climate Fund supports a range of work across these areas. This includes the Northumberland Woodland Creation Partnership, the North East Community Forest and Tees Community Forest. These partnerships engage and support communities, landowners and stakeholders to plant trees. They have proven successful and have good community involvement and engagement. In addition, the Forestry Commission provide support to these partnerships and carry out their own engagement.

Food and Rural Affairs, what conversations her Department is having with relevant stakeholders in Northumberland to support local communities involvement in the management of tree planting.

Defra’s Nature for Climate Fund supports a range of work across these areas. This includes the Northumberland Woodland Creation Partnership, the North East Community Forest and Tees Community Forest. These partnerships engage and support communities, landowners and stakeholders to plant trees. They have proven successful and have good community involvement and engagement. In addition, the Forestry Commission provide support to these partnerships and carry out their own engagement.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to ensure food and drink producers in Hexham constituency can access government support for reducing trade barriers.

Our global network of 16 agrifood and drink attachés are breaking down market access barriers and creating new export opportunities, delivering benefits to businesses in Northumberland, the broader North East region and across the UK. So far this year we have pulled down 41 trade barriers, estimated by industry to be worth nearly £100 million to the British food and drink sector. We work closely with industry to identify and resolve barriers, taking into account value, sectoral priorities and importance to local economies. Together with market access secured through Free Trade Agreements, such as the recent agreement with India, this opens the door to British businesses to capitalise on strong global demand for British produce. Businesses in the North East can report a barrier directly through the online report a barrier service or via their trade association. There are a range of tools and support available for exporters through the Business Growth Service via business.gov.uk.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to ensure food and drink producers in Northumberland can access government support for reducing trade barriers.

Our global network of 16 agrifood and drink attachés are breaking down market access barriers and creating new export opportunities, delivering benefits to businesses in Northumberland, the broader North East region and across the UK. So far this year we have pulled down 41 trade barriers, estimated by industry to be worth nearly £100 million to the British food and drink sector. We work closely with industry to identify and resolve barriers, taking into account value, sectoral priorities and importance to local economies. Together with market access secured through Free Trade Agreements, such as the recent agreement with India, this opens the door to British businesses to capitalise on strong global demand for British produce. Businesses in the North East can report a barrier directly through the online report a barrier service or via their trade association. There are a range of tools and support available for exporters through the Business Growth Service via business.gov.uk.

Food and Rural Affairs, what conversations her Department is having with relevant stakeholders in the North East to support local communities involvement in the management of tree planting.

Defra’s Nature for Climate Fund supports a range of work across these areas. This includes the Northumberland Woodland Creation Partnership, the North East Community Forest and Tees Community Forest. These partnerships engage and support communities, landowners and stakeholders to plant trees. They have proven successful and have good community involvement and engagement. In addition, the Forestry Commission provide support to these partnerships and carry out their own engagement.

Food and Rural Affairs, what discussion she has had with consumer groups on the adequacy of veterinary services.

Defra has not conducted discussions directly with consumer groups on the adequacy of veterinary services. The Competition and Markets Authority is conducting a market investigation into the provision of veterinary services for household pets. Their Provisional Decision Report was published on 15 October and was open for consultation until 12 November. Defra will consider any remedies from their final report when it is published in Spring 2026.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether she plans to update the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 in response to the provisional recommendations of the CMA veterinary services for household pets investigation.

Defra has noted the CMA’s Provisional Decision Report and the recommendations it makes with regards to the veterinary sector, including reform of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 (VSA). Additionally, Defra acknowledges the calls from industry, other stakeholders, and the public to update the VSA and the many potential benefits of doing so. Defra officials have been actively engaging across all areas of potential reform with key stakeholders, including the CMA, British Veterinary Association (BVA), the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS), British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA), and the Vet Schools Council (VSC), to review opportunities for reform of the sector. When the CMA’s final report is published in Spring 2026, Defra will consider any remedies with regards to VSA reform.

Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions her Department has had with relevant stakeholders on the proposed ban on trail hunting.

This Government is committed to enacting a ban on trail hunting in line with our manifesto commitment. Work to determine the best approach for doing so is ongoing and we will consult on how to deliver a ban in the new year. Stakeholder engagement will form an important element of the consultation process, and we will ensure everyone has the opportunity to give their views and present their evidence.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with relevant stakeholders on its manifesto commitment to extend the ban on trail hunting.

This Government is committed to enacting a ban on trail hunting in line with our manifesto commitment. Work to determine the best approach for doing so is ongoing and we will consult on how to deliver a ban in the new year. Stakeholder engagement will form an important element of the consultation process, and we will ensure everyone has the opportunity to give their views and present their evidence.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to help reduce the cost of insurance premiums for homes at high risk of flooding in (a) Hexham constituency, (b) Northumberland, (c) Newcastle, (d) the North East and (e) England.

Flood Re is a joint Government and industry flood reinsurance scheme established specifically to help UK households at high risk of flooding to access affordable insurance through their insurance provider. In 2024/25, Flood Re provided cover for over 346,000 household policies. 650,000 properties have benefitted since the scheme’s launch. Notably, prior to Flood Re’s inception, the average home insurance quote for a householder with a flood claim was about £4,400. As of December 2024, the average was c. £1,100. Additionally, 99% of householders at high risk of flooding can now obtain quotes from 10 or more insurers. I met with senior leaders from the insurance industry this month. We discussed how the industry can support customers both to secure relevant and affordable insurance, and at the point of claim, particularly for householders in areas at high risk of flooding such as Hexham constituency, Northumberland, Newcastle, the North East, and across England.

Food and Rural Affairs, how many cases of illegal waste dumping have been recorded in the last (a) five years and (b) ten years in (i) Hexham constituency, (ii) Northumberland, (iii) Newcastle, (iv) the North East and (v) England.

Local authorities in England are required to report fly-tipping incidents and enforcement action to Defra, which the department have published annually since 2012, here. This data isn't available at a constituency level and excludes the majority of private-land incidents. Data for the 2024/25 reporting year is still being collected. The Environment Agency investigates fly tipping where the waste is more than 20 tonnes, a specified amount of hazardous waste, or is suspected to be linked to organised crime. The Environment Agency confirmed the following data on cases where at least one of these conditions were met: 5 Years10 YearsHexham01Northumberland46Newcastle12North East2551England5071510

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 8 April 2025 to Question 43740 on Animal Welfare: Trapping, what recent discussions he has had with relevant stakeholders on ending the use of snare traps.

This is a devolved matter, and the information provided therefore relates to England only. The Secretary of State has had no recent discussions with relevant stakeholders on ending the use of snare traps, but Defra Ministers and officials have regular meetings with organisations that have an interest in snare use. As outlined in our manifesto, we will bring an end to the use of snare traps. We are considering the most effective way to deliver this commitment and will be setting out next steps in due course.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department plans to publish a horticulture strategy.

The Government remains committed to our horticulture sector and the vital role it plays in strengthening food security through a reliable and sustainable supply of fresh home-grown produce. Horticulture is being considered as part of the Government Food Strategy.

Food and Rural Affairs, what his planned timetable is for banning animal snares.

This is a devolved matter, and the information provided therefore relates to England only. The Government will introduce the most ambitious programme for animal welfare in a generation. As outlined in our manifesto, we will bring an end to the use of snare traps. We are considering the most effective way to deliver this commitment and will be setting out next steps in due course.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps the Environment Agency is taking to monitor the contribution of septic tanks to sewage pollution in (a) Hexham constituency, (b) the North East, (c) Northumberland, (d) Newcastle and (e) England.

Septic tanks provide safe waste management for properties, often located in isolated rural areas, without access to the mains sewage network. Typically small in volume, discharges from septic tanks are regulated under General Binding Rules established in 2023. The General Binding Rules impose requirements designed to prevent pollution without the need for an environmental permit. Discharges from septic tanks operating under the General Binding Rules must not cause pollution of surface water or groundwater. The Environment Agency considers the contribution of septic tanks to sewage pollution in England as part of its approach to River Basin Management Plans. When a water body is not achieving good status, the cause is investigated and, where sufficient evidence is available, it is attributed to a sector such as private sewage systems (including septic tanks). The Environment Agency also receives reports from the public, its partners, and its own staff monitoring the water environment in catchments across the country about pollution caused by discharges from septic tanks. The Environment Agency responds to these reports by assessing the risk posed to the environment. Where necessary the Environment Agency will take further action to ensure that discharges comply with the General Binding Rules.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking steps to use the Government's tree planting programme to help tackle down-stream flooding.

Tree planting along rivers, as well as woodland creation across hill slopes in the wider catchment, can help slow water flow and temporarily store water as part of natural flood management. The England Woodland Creation Offer provides financial support for tree planting and incentivises woodland creation that reduces flood risk through supplementary payments. The ‘Woodlands for Water’ project, supported by Defra, has been providing targeted facilitation to support landowners to access tree planting grants to support the creation of woodland along rivers, which can improve water quality, manage flood risks and boost biodiversity.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the findings in the UK Food Security Report, published on 11 December 2024 on resilience to exogenous shocks in the food system.

The UK has a high degree of food security, but the 2024 UK Food Security Report shows that food security cannot be taken for granted. Strengthening food security by supporting our farmers and food producers is a top priority for this Government. While climate and geopolitical volatility have weakened aspects of food supply stability since 2021, food availability or the quantity of food available to the UK has been maintained thanks to continued resilience in food production and the global trading system. Food production faces pressing risks from climate change and nature loss over the longer term. Defra is taking action to reduce this impact and support the continued production and supply of food for UK citizens. For example, the third National Adaptation Programme (NAP3), sets out a range of measures to improve resilience and adaptation to climate change across the agri-food chain. Work is also underway to develop an ambitious food strategy. The strategy will set the food system up for long-term success and will deliver wide ranging improvements; through building resilience in the face of climate shocks and geopolitical changes, while protecting the supply chain which operates so effectively to feed the nation.