Written questions by Hayes.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure that meat imported illegally into the UK is seized at the border.

This is a devolved matter and the information provided therefore relates to England only. Defra is working closely with the Home Office and the Food Standards Agency to tackle meat smuggling, with the support of Border Force, port health authorities and local authorities. Defra has committed £3.1 million for Dover Port Health Authority to work in partnership with Border Force in seizing meat smuggled via the Port of Dover in 2025/26, additional to over £9m of funding provided to date. Defra is considering the recommendations in the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee’s report on meat smuggling.

Food and Rural Affairs, how many days the Union Flag was flown on his Department's main sites in (a) 2024 and (b) 2025 to date.

Defra follows Government guidance which sees a Union Flag flying daily at the main sites which have the facility to do so.

Food and Rural Affairs, how much and what proportion of the funding provided to the National Rural Crime Unit and National Wildlife Crime Unit in March 2025 will be allocated to local partnerships in Lincolnshire.

Defra does not provide financial allocations to local partnerships for tackling wildlife crime but instead provides funding directly at the national level, to the National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU), and in 2025/26 is providing £424,000. Home Office, similarly, does not provide financial allocations to local partnerships. Home Office provides funding directly at the national level. In 2025/26 the Home Office has provided the NWCU with £450,000 and the National Rural Crime Unit with £365,000.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has spent money on promotion through social media influencers since July 2024.

No money has been spent by Defra on social media influencers since July 2024.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to support hedgehog conservation initiatives in Lincolnshire.

The Greater Lincolnshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) demonstrates strong local commitment to hedgehog conservation. Following online public consultation, where hedgehogs emerged as one of the most frequently mentioned priority species, the draft LNRS includes specific actions to support hedgehog recovery. These targeted measures include creating suitable feeding habitats, encouraging property owners to leave gaps in fencing to improve garden connectivity, and building hibernacula to provide essential winter shelter. Nationally, there are several projects underway which will enable the conservation of our hedgehogs. The first National Hedgehog Conservation Strategy has been published by the People’s Trust for Endangered Species and The British Hedgehog Preservation Society. Natural England (NE), the Joint Nature Conservation Committee and Forestry England all contributed to the strategy, which highlights the factors causing a decline in native hedgehog populations. In addition, NE is co-funding the National Hedgehog Monitoring Programme. The information gathered will also produce insights into the factors causing hedgehog population decline, leading to the implementation of practical conservation measures to address this challenge. These hedgehog-specific initiatives complement broader environmental improvements in Lincolnshire, including the designation of the Lincolnshire Coronation Coast National Nature Reserve - the first in the new King's Series. Such landscape-scale conservation efforts create the connected habitats that hedgehogs and other wildlife need to thrive.

Food and Rural Affairs, how much the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science has spent on equipment to enable staff to work from home in each of the last three years.

Exact costs are not available for the amount the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science’s spent on dedicated home office equipment although they are low for this three-year period.

Food and Rural Affairs, how much the Veterinary Medicines Directorate has spent on equipment to enable staff to work from home in each of the last three years.

The Veterinary Medicines Directorate’s (VMD’s) spend on equipment to enable staff to work from home in each of the last three years is: YearTotal FY2022/23£10,579.77 FY2023/24£6,248.34 FY2024/25£3,235.72 The VMD is unable to differentiate between costs that are associated with the provision of equipment for use at home relating to a workplace adjustment, and formal working contracts versus any costs associated with hybrid working arrangements. Obtaining this information could only be achieved at a disproportionate cost. The VMD, in common with other directorates and Government departments, has agreed that 60% minimum office attendance for most staff continues to be the best balance of working for the Civil Service.

Food and Rural Affairs, how much the Animal and Plant Health Agency has spent on equipment to enable staff to work from home in each of the last three years.

For desk-based Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) staff, APHA Directors have agreed that 60% minimum office attendance continues to be the best balance of working for the Civil Service in line with departmental policies.

Food and Rural Affairs, how much Ofwat has spent on equipment to enable staff to work from home in each of the last three years.

Ofwat's staff balance working from home and in the office. This is important to support collaboration, build and sustain relationships with others, and support the delivery of Ofwat's business outcomes. Working from the office provides opportunities for face-to-face interaction and connection, in-person meetings, and networking. Taking this hybrid approach, Ofwat recognises that staff are likely to incur new or additional spend on hybrid working incidentals. Ofwat has spent the following on equipment to enable staff to work from home in each of the last three years: 2022/23 - £3240.922023/24 - £9584.552024/25 - £14,142.46

Food and Rural Affairs, how much the Rural Payments Agency has spent on equipment to enable staff to work from home in each of the last three years.

Rural Payments Agency employees can be reimbursed the cost of purchasing some equipment to help make sure they have the right equipment to work safely from home in line with the department’s working from home policy. The Rural Payments Agency is unable to respond with how much has been spent specifically to facilitate home working as the information requested is not held centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. Heads of departments have agreed that 60% minimum office attendance for most staff continues to be the best balance of working for the Civil Service.

Food and Rural Affairs, how much the Forestry Commission has spent on equipment to enable staff to work from home in each of the last three years.

The Forestry Commission provides IT equipment to support staff working in a blended way, between office space and home and also a small number of contracted home workers. Equipment is procured through best-value frameworks, including the Civil Service Purchase Platform, and is redeployed wherever possible to ensure value for money. Estimated expenditure on IT equipment to support staff working from home or in a blended capacity: Forestry Commission (Forest Services, Forestry England and Commissioners Office):2022: £29,398.382023: £29,727.762024: £39,564.862025 to date: £11,195.95 Forest Research:2023–24: £2,790.342024–25: £1,175.782025–26 to date: £1,013.27

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of trends in the size of the badger population in (a) Lincolnshire and (b) the East Midlands.

The first major national badger population survey in a decade began in February, with the first round of fieldwork now concluded. Further surveying will resume later this year, to estimate badger abundance and population recovery.

Food and Rural Affairs, how much his Department spent on equipment for civil servants to work from home in each of the last three years.

As was the case under the last government, the intended use of equipment purchased by civil servants is not recorded at the point of a purchase requisition being raised. This information could only be obtained at disproportionate cost, although the new Government is looking for ways to tighten up any potential waste in this area. Although that will of course not be sufficient in the long-term, it is still treats public money with more respect than previous Conservative administrations did. Additionally, since the change of Government, Defra has agreed that a 60% minimum office attendance for most staff continues to be the best balance of working for the Civil Service.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help ensure the enforcement of laws prohibiting piglet thumping on pig farms.

There are strict rules to protect the welfare of animals at the time of killing. Due to serious concerns about the welfare consequences of a manual percussive blow to the head, piglet thumping is not a permitted method for stunning or killing piglets. Potential breaches of animal health and welfare legislation, such as the use of manual blunt force trauma on piglets, are taken very seriously. Any allegations of poor animal welfare are investigated by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), and appropriate action is taken. The local authority, as the appropriate enforcement agency, may initiate prosecution action for animal welfare offences where there is sufficient evidence.

Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate he has made of the size of the hedgehog population in each of the last ten years.

As hedgehogs are widespread but scarce, there are practical challenges in estimating their number nationally. In the last 10 years, only one estimate, updated in 2024, has been made which indicated a population size estimate of 597,000 hedgehogs in England. However, confidence in the accuracy of this estimate is low. Natural England is supporting the National Hedgehog Monitoring Programme, in partnership with the Peoples Trust for Endangered Species and The British Hedgehog Preservation Society, to provide a more robust national estimate of Britain’s hedgehog population. The pilot is due to be completed in May 2026.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help tackle environmental harm in (a) South Holland and the Deepings constituency and (b) Lincolnshire.

The Environment Agency (EA) plays a vital role in protecting the environment by regulating businesses in the energy, agriculture, and waste sectors, and serving as the environmental regulator for water companies. Through water permitting, it balances the needs of public water supply, agriculture, industry, and the environment. The EA enforces environmental laws, prosecutes polluters, and responds to major incidents like pollution and waste fires as a Category 1 Responder under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004. It advises on planning applications within its statutory remit, including in South Holland, South Kesteven, and Lincolnshire County Council areas, ensuring flood risk, climate change, and water quality are considered. The EA also works with Local Planning Authorities to embed environmental priorities in Local Plans. In Lincolnshire, the EA combines flood defence with biodiversity enhancement, tackling invasive species and restoring natural river processes in partnership with Wildlife Trusts, River Trusts, and landowners. In South Holland and The Deepings, the EA has led sustainable initiatives such as controlling Giant Hogweed and American mink, maintaining pollinator-friendly flood banks and hedgerows, and creating fish refuges at Crowland Washes. Sensitive operations at Cowbit Washes have also protected breeding avocets during flood recovery.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent steps he has taken to improve the condition of sites of special scientific interest in Lincolnshire.

Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) continue to be one of the most effective tools for protecting and enhancing biodiversity and deliver a wide range of health and socio-economic benefits. Natural England has an ongoing programme to assess the condition of SSSI features and implement the actions needed to restore and maintain the condition of SSSIs, such as the Bardney Limewoods SSSI in Lincolnshire. In the autumn budget we also allocated £13 million to Protected Site Strategies which will develop and implement spatial restoration plans for priority sites, such as The Wash, an internationally important coastal and marine protected site. These strategies will put in place action to restore protected sites and manage the impact of environmental harm. The Nature Restoration Fund in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill will also allow us to take a more strategic approach to the restoration of SSSIs and deliver improved environmental outcomes.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to protect local biodiversity in (a) South Holland and the Deepings constituency and (b) Lincolnshire.

The Government is undertaking extensive work to protect and enhance biodiversity across Lincolnshire, including South Holland and the Deepings. Farmers are helping to recover nature through Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier agreements and Higher Level Stewardship agreements across the county and we are supporting Landscape Recovery Projects, including the Greater Frampton, Doddington and Boothby Wildlands schemes, to create joined-up habitats that benefit local wildlife and ecosystems. Local Planning Authorities are securing Biodiversity Net Gain in the area through development. There are two sites in Lincolnshire (one in South Holland and the Deepings) on the Natural England Biodiversity Net Gain Register, which together have committed 85ha of land to nature recovery. Private sector investment into these sites will create and enhance a mosaic of habitats including species-rich grassland, woodland, scrub and wetland.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the condition of the River Welland in Lincolnshire.

The Environment Agency (EA) inspects the River Welland every year to check for any visible problems with its structures and embankments. In 2022, they also surveyed the river to check for silt build-up and see if extra maintenance was needed. While some silt was found, it wasn’t enough to cause concern compared to other narrow parts of the river, such as bridges. The EA also reviewed how they maintain the Cradge Bank, which is part of the river. As a result, they plan to do more maintenance there to improve grass growth as healthy grass helps prevent the bank from failing.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has had recent discussions with the big four supermarkets on animal welfare standards on pig farms.

Defra regularly engages with supermarkets about a range of issues, but has not had any recent discussions on pig welfare standards.