Written questions by Robertson.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to create any new national parks.

Following the previous Government’s announcement on 29 November 2023, Natural England have undertaken early exploratory work to consider possible approaches to the designation of a new National Park in England. It is important to note that there is no formal application process for National Park or National Landscape (AONB) designation. Natural England takes an evidence-led approach, guided by government policy steers, and any future search will be England-wide.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to reintroduce capital grant schemes for farmers.

In November 2024, we closed parts of the Capital Grants scheme to new applications following unprecedented demand. We are reviewing the Capital Grants offer to ensure funding goes further to improve outcomes for food security and nature conservation. We will provide an update in due course.

Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on future trade deals relevant to the (a) food and (b) agriculture sectors.

The Secretary of State has regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues on a range of issues, and Cabinet discussions are considered confidential. As the Secretary of State has said will uphold and protect our high environmental and animal welfare standards in future trade deals.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether (a) he, (b) his officials and (c) his special advisors have had meetings with the animal rights group Animal Rising.

No, neither the Secretary of State, his officials, nor Special Advisors have met with this organisation. Details of Ministers’ and Special Advisor meetings with external organisations and individuals are publicly and freely available on GOV.UK. This has been the case for decades.

Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions his Department has had with supermarkets on the inheritance tax changes to agricultural land and property.

Defra regularly engages with supermarkets and producers on a range of issues pertinent to the food supply chain including food supply, environmental policies and food security. However, IHT policy is primarily under the jurisdiction of HMT as it is a tax policy. Defra does not routinely engage supermarkets on matters concerning tax policy.

Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions his Department has had with local authorities on the inheritance tax changes to agricultural land and property.

As is standard practise, the Department has not held discussions with local authorities on this issue.

Food and Rural Affairs, how much his Department spent on consultancy work undertaken by McKinsey and Company as part of its Arm’s Length Body Transformation Programme; and if he will publish the (a) reports and (b) recommendations made by McKinsey and Company on that work.

This information is in the public domain and can be accessed through here. The cost towards “ORGANISATIONAL STRATEGY WORK” for McKinsey was £403,385. Defra does not plan to publish the McKinsey report and its recommendations, as it relates to work under the previous Government.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of precedents for unilateral environmental measures in trade agreements on the sandeel fishing ban within the Trade and Cooperation Agreement arbitration process.

The arbitration process pertaining to the dispute brought by the EU against the UK prohibition of fishing for sandeel, and our consideration of the issues, is presently ongoing. We will fully consider the tribunal’s report and the impacts of it in due course.

Food and Rural Affairs, what representations his Department has made to the European Union on the compatibility of the UK sandeel fishing ban with the Trade and Cooperation Agreement.

The EU has raised a dispute that the UK’s decision to prohibit fishing for sandeel within UK waters is not compliant with the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA). The UK is defending its decision. The dispute proceedings are ongoing.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will publish his Department’s assessment of the potential risks of continued sandeel fishing for (a) biodiversity and (b) marine ecosystems.

The UK Government published its assessment of the ecosystem risks and benefits of a full prohibition of industrial sandeel fishing in the UK waters of the North Sea in 2023. This report, which is publicly available, includes an assessment of the impacts and benefits accruing to seabirds and other marine life. In March 2024, and following separate public consultations, the UK and Scottish Governments closed English Waters of the North Sea and all Scottish Waters to sandeel fishing. The closure shields sandeel as an essential food source for threatened seabird populations (such as kittiwakes and puffins), commercially valuable fish (such as haddock and whiting) and for marine mammals (such as porpoise and minke whales). The UK will continue to support the ongoing monitoring of sandeel stocks in the North Sea. We will work with ICES to ensure that sufficient data are available to provide stock status information for sandeel stocks and to ensure that multispecies/ecosystem models for the North Sea still have appropriate levels of information. The EU has raised a dispute that the UK’s decision to prohibit fishing for sandeel within UK waters is not compliant with the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA). The UK is defending its decision. We anticipate the tribunal will deliver its report by April 2025. UK officials continue to engage with representatives of all Coastal States, including the EU, on fisheries management measures and policy.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the ban on sandeel fishing on the ecology of seabird populations.

The UK Government published its assessment of the ecosystem risks and benefits of a full prohibition of industrial sandeel fishing in the UK waters of the North Sea in 2023. This report, which is publicly available, includes an assessment of the impacts and benefits accruing to seabirds and other marine life. In March 2024, and following separate public consultations, the UK and Scottish Governments closed English Waters of the North Sea and all Scottish Waters to sandeel fishing. The closure shields sandeel as an essential food source for threatened seabird populations (such as kittiwakes and puffins), commercially valuable fish (such as haddock and whiting) and for marine mammals (such as porpoise and minke whales). The UK will continue to support the ongoing monitoring of sandeel stocks in the North Sea. We will work with ICES to ensure that sufficient data are available to provide stock status information for sandeel stocks and to ensure that multispecies/ecosystem models for the North Sea still have appropriate levels of information. The EU has raised a dispute that the UK’s decision to prohibit fishing for sandeel within UK waters is not compliant with the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA). The UK is defending its decision. We anticipate the tribunal will deliver its report by April 2025. UK officials continue to engage with representatives of all Coastal States, including the EU, on fisheries management measures and policy.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will list the (a) bilateral and (b) multilateral forums through which his Department is engaging with the European Commission in relation to the UK’s sandeel fishing ban.

The UK Government published its assessment of the ecosystem risks and benefits of a full prohibition of industrial sandeel fishing in the UK waters of the North Sea in 2023. This report, which is publicly available, includes an assessment of the impacts and benefits accruing to seabirds and other marine life. In March 2024, and following separate public consultations, the UK and Scottish Governments closed English Waters of the North Sea and all Scottish Waters to sandeel fishing. The closure shields sandeel as an essential food source for threatened seabird populations (such as kittiwakes and puffins), commercially valuable fish (such as haddock and whiting) and for marine mammals (such as porpoise and minke whales). The UK will continue to support the ongoing monitoring of sandeel stocks in the North Sea. We will work with ICES to ensure that sufficient data are available to provide stock status information for sandeel stocks and to ensure that multispecies/ecosystem models for the North Sea still have appropriate levels of information. The EU has raised a dispute that the UK’s decision to prohibit fishing for sandeel within UK waters is not compliant with the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA). The UK is defending its decision. We anticipate the tribunal will deliver its report by April 2025. UK officials continue to engage with representatives of all Coastal States, including the EU, on fisheries management measures and policy.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of suspending participation in the arbitration mechanism of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement in disputes over sustainable fishing policies on (a) trade and (b) legal outcomes.

The EU has raised a dispute that the UK’s decision to prohibit fishing for sandeel within UK waters is not compliant with the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA). The UK is defending its decision. The dispute proceedings are ongoing.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with representatives of the EU on (a) environment policy and (b) sandeel fishing.

The UK Government published its assessment of the ecosystem risks and benefits of a full prohibition of industrial sandeel fishing in the UK waters of the North Sea in 2023. This report, which is publicly available, includes an assessment of the impacts and benefits accruing to seabirds and other marine life. In March 2024, and following separate public consultations, the UK and Scottish Governments closed English Waters of the North Sea and all Scottish Waters to sandeel fishing. The closure shields sandeel as an essential food source for threatened seabird populations (such as kittiwakes and puffins), commercially valuable fish (such as haddock and whiting) and for marine mammals (such as porpoise and minke whales). The UK will continue to support the ongoing monitoring of sandeel stocks in the North Sea. We will work with ICES to ensure that sufficient data are available to provide stock status information for sandeel stocks and to ensure that multispecies/ecosystem models for the North Sea still have appropriate levels of information. The EU has raised a dispute that the UK’s decision to prohibit fishing for sandeel within UK waters is not compliant with the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA). The UK is defending its decision. We anticipate the tribunal will deliver its report by April 2025. UK officials continue to engage with representatives of all Coastal States, including the EU, on fisheries management measures and policy.

Food and Rural Affairs, if his Department will maintain its policy of a ban on the industrial fishing of sandeels in negotiations with the European Union on fisheries access post-2026.

The UK Government published its assessment of the ecosystem risks and benefits of a full prohibition of industrial sandeel fishing in the UK waters of the North Sea in 2023. This report, which is publicly available, includes an assessment of the impacts and benefits accruing to seabirds and other marine life. In March 2024, and following separate public consultations, the UK and Scottish Governments closed English Waters of the North Sea and all Scottish Waters to sandeel fishing. The closure shields sandeel as an essential food source for threatened seabird populations (such as kittiwakes and puffins), commercially valuable fish (such as haddock and whiting) and for marine mammals (such as porpoise and minke whales). The UK will continue to support the ongoing monitoring of sandeel stocks in the North Sea. We will work with ICES to ensure that sufficient data are available to provide stock status information for sandeel stocks and to ensure that multispecies/ecosystem models for the North Sea still have appropriate levels of information. The EU has raised a dispute that the UK’s decision to prohibit fishing for sandeel within UK waters is not compliant with the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA). The UK is defending its decision. We anticipate the tribunal will deliver its report by April 2025. UK officials continue to engage with representatives of all Coastal States, including the EU, on fisheries management measures and policy.

Food and Rural Affairs, what indicators will be used to monitor the potential impact of the ban on sandeel fishing on (a) the recovery of seabird populations and (b) broader marine biodiversity.

The UK Government published its assessment of the ecosystem risks and benefits of a full prohibition of industrial sandeel fishing in the UK waters of the North Sea in 2023. This report, which is publicly available, includes an assessment of the impacts and benefits accruing to seabirds and other marine life. In March 2024, and following separate public consultations, the UK and Scottish Governments closed English Waters of the North Sea and all Scottish Waters to sandeel fishing. The closure shields sandeel as an essential food source for threatened seabird populations (such as kittiwakes and puffins), commercially valuable fish (such as haddock and whiting) and for marine mammals (such as porpoise and minke whales). The UK will continue to support the ongoing monitoring of sandeel stocks in the North Sea. We will work with ICES to ensure that sufficient data are available to provide stock status information for sandeel stocks and to ensure that multispecies/ecosystem models for the North Sea still have appropriate levels of information. The EU has raised a dispute that the UK’s decision to prohibit fishing for sandeel within UK waters is not compliant with the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA). The UK is defending its decision. We anticipate the tribunal will deliver its report by April 2025. UK officials continue to engage with representatives of all Coastal States, including the EU, on fisheries management measures and policy.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 22 January 2025 to Question 24031 on Waste: Codes of Practice, if he will publish the 35 responses.

At this stage, the Government has not yet finalised its assessment of how it can further support local authorities to tackle litter. Any new announcements will be announced in the usual way.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has issued guidance to local waste authorities on whether fixed penalty notices for fly-tipping can be issued in relation to domestic waste receptacles located within the curtilage of a dwelling.

Local authorities have a range of enforcement powers to help tackle fly-tipping including fixed penalty notices and seizing vehicles. They can also prosecute which can lead to a significant fine, a community sentence or even imprisonment. It is for local authorities to determine what enforcement action, if any, is appropriate in the circumstances. We are considering whether further guidance for local authorities is necessary with regards to fly-tipping enforcement. Any announcements on this will be made in the usual way.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 17 January 2025 to Question 23655 on Domestic Waste: Waste Disposal, whether his Department has had discussions with the Local Government Ombudsman on the issuing of fixed penalty notices for householders who leave items (a) inside and (b) immediately outside the curtilage of their property.

Local authorities have a range of enforcement powers to help tackle fly-tipping including fixed penalty notices and seizing vehicles. They can also prosecute which can lead to a significant fine, a community sentence or even imprisonment. It is for local authorities to determine what enforcement action, if any, is appropriate in the circumstances. We are considering whether further guidance for local authorities is necessary with regards to fly-tipping enforcement. Any announcements on this will be made in the usual way.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 23 January 2025 to Question 24130, on Domestic Waste: Recycling, if he will publish the (a) equality impact assessment and (b) environmental principles assessment.

These documents are used to support internal decision making and therefore are not routinely published. A full impact assessment of the Simpler Recycling project is published online here: The Separation of Waste (England) Regulations 2025 - Impact Assessment.