Written questions by Johnson.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 3 July 2025 to UIN 61881 on Western Sahara: Origin Marking, what data her Department holds on produce originating in Western Sahara being sold in supermarkets labelled as produce of Morocco.

Food origin information is mandatory for some, but not all, foods. In all cases where origin is provided, it must not be misleading. Produce originating in Western Sahara that has been mislabelled as produce of Morocco would be considered misleading under food labelling regulations. Defra does not hold data on produce being presented in this way in UK supermarkets. My officials and the Food Standards Agency work closely with Local Authority Trading Standards Officers who enforce food labelling rules in the UK, including addressing labels that may be misleading or non-compliant.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 3 July 2025 to UIN 61881 on Western Sahara: Origin Marking, if she will take steps to ensure that produce originating in Western Sahara is labelled as such by supermarkets.

The Government is committed to ensuring that UK consumers are not misled about the origin of the food they purchase. In accordance with Assimilated EU Regulation 1169/2011 on the provision of food information to consumers, food labelling must not be misleading, including in relation to the origin or provenance of food. It is the UK position that where origin information is given for food products made or grown in the Western Sahara, it must give accurate origin information and cannot be labelled as Moroccan. The Government has begun negotiations with the EU on an SPS agreement which will cover SPS standards and controls and also wider agrifood rules, including food labelling and key agri-food marketing standards. The Government is considering any EU legislative developments that could potentially affect labelling policy in the UK.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 9 July to Question 61881 on Western Sahara: Origin Marking, if she is aware that Tesco sells tomatoes from Western Sahara labelled as produce of Morocco and if she will take action to ensure change.

The UK maintains high standards on the information provided on food labels and packaging so that consumers can have confidence in the food that they buy. The fundamental principles of our food labelling rules are that information provided to the consumer must not mislead and must enable consumers to make informed decisions. It is the UK position that where origin information is given for food products made or grown in the Western Sahara, it must give accurate origin information and cannot be labelled as Moroccan. Food labelling rules are enforced by local authorities. Defra officials will follow up on the matters raised so that the appropriate bodies can investigate further.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 9 July to Question 61881 on Western Sahara: Origin Marking, what discussions her Department has had with Tesco on the adequacy of its labelling of products from Western Sahara.

Under UK regulations, supermarket product selection remains a matter of retailer discretion, contingent upon compliance with food and labelling laws. Retailers operate independently and make sourcing decisions based on commercial, ethical, and consumer considerations. All supermarkets are expected to support honest and transparent labelling of food products, and the Government routinely engages with industry representatives to support best practices. We work to maintain high standards on the information that is provided on food labels so that consumers can have confidence in the food that they buy. The fundamental principle of food labelling rules is that information provided to the consumer must not mislead and must enable consumers to make informed decisions.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 18 July 2025 to Question 67736 on Recycling, whether it remains her Department's plan to publish the Circular Economy Strategy for England in the autumn.

This Government is committed to transitioning towards a circular economy where resources are kept in use for longer and waste is designed out. The Government has convened a Circular Economy Taskforce of experts to help develop the first ever Circular Economy Strategy for England, which we plan to publish for consultation in the coming months.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent progress his Department has made in establishing a national social tariff for water consumers.

The Independent Water Commission made a recommendation to consult on a National Social Tariff, which Government is taking into consideration and will provide a response to later this year in a White Paper. Water companies have more than doubled the number of customers that will receive help with their bills through existing social tariffs – from 4% to 9% - and the Government expects industry to keep the current support schemes under review to ensure that vulnerable customers across the country are supported.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of mandatory food waste reporting on levels of surplus food redistribution in Liverpool.

No assessment of the potential impact of mandatory food waste reporting on levels of surplus food redistribution in Liverpool has been made. Evidence in the 2022 consultation stage Impact Assessment showed that requiring food businesses to publicly measure and report their food surplus and waste can incentivise food waste reduction, including through surplus redistribution. As with all policies, if the policy were to be taken forward, a further assessment of costs and benefits would be published as part of the legislative process.