Written questions by Evans.

Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of Animal Health Certificates on the cost of taking pets abroad.

On 22 April the EU brought in new rules affecting those travelling with their pets from third countries such as Great Britain into the EU. Defra officials have engaged with the European Commission to understand how they are being implemented, and how this impacts those travelling from Great Britain to the EU. Updated guidance is now available on GOV.UK, and any future updates will be published on the relevant pages. As announced at the UK-EU Leaders' Summit on 19 May 2025, the UK and EU have agreed to work towards a common Sanitary and Phytosanitary Area. Instead of the current process of getting an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) each time they travel, pet owners will be able to get a multiuse pet passport valid for travel to the EU. Until an agreement with the EU is reached, owners will still need an AHC for their dog, cat or ferret(s) if they are travelling from GB (England, Wales and Scotland) to an EU country. Animal Health Certificates are issued by Official Veterinarians in Great Britain. Fees are set by veterinary surgeons or veterinary practices and are a private matter between individual practices and their clients and neither the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS), the UK regulator of the veterinary profession, nor Defra intervene in the level of fees that are charged.

Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions she has had with veterinary associations on trends in the number of vets who can issue Animal Health Certificates for pet owners taking their pets abroad.

Awaiting answer.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether she will assess the potential merits of the increasing the transparency of fertiliser (a) supply chains and (b) pricing.

Defra is monitoring the impact on farmers and fertiliser suppliers of high prices, and impacts in the wider supply chain. We are working closely with industry and farmers to understand risks and issues, and options for action where needed. Defra asked the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) to increase the frequency of its fertiliser price reporting and this data is now being published on a weekly basis. This gives farmers more timely and transparent information to support their decision-making. We also recently ran a survey to understand how fertiliser price rises and supply issues are impacting farmers and land managers on the ground which we will use, alongside other evidence, to inform next steps.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether she will make an assessment with Cabinet colleagues of the potential merits of the opportunities to increase the transparency of red diesel (a) supply chains and (b) pricing.

Food security is a priority for Government, and it is taking the impacts from developments from the Middle East conflict seriously. Defra is working collaboratively with colleagues across Government to understand and respond to issues arising from the conflict. Defra is conscious of the particular challenge posed by the price increase to red diesel due to international market volatility. This product is often bought via the spot market and so is more exposed to price volatility than road diesel at forecourts To support farmers, Government has already brought forward a 5p fuel duty cut from March until September. Red diesel also continues to benefit from an 80% tax discount, saving almost £300 million a year. The Competition and Markets Authority has been asked to look into industry concerns about red diesel prices, including price transparency. Defra is determined to help keep costs down for our farmers and producers.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with EU on the implementation of Animal Health Certificates for pets travelling abroad.

On 22 April the EU brought in new rules affecting those travelling with their pets from third countries such as Great Britain into the EU. Defra officials have engaged with the European Commission to understand how they are being implemented, and how this impacts those travelling from Great Britain to the EU. Updated guidance is now available on GOV.UK, and any future updates will be published on the relevant pages. As announced at the UK-EU Leaders' Summit on 19 May 2025, the UK and EU have agreed to work towards a common Sanitary and Phytosanitary Area. Instead of the current process of getting an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) each time they travel, pet owners will be able to get a multiuse pet passport valid for travel to the EU. Until an agreement with the EU is reached, owners will still need an AHC for their dog, cat or ferret(s) if they are travelling from GB (England, Wales and Scotland) to an EU country. Animal Health Certificates are issued by Official Veterinarians in Great Britain. Fees are set by veterinary surgeons or veterinary practices and are a private matter between individual practices and their clients and neither the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS), the UK regulator of the veterinary profession, nor Defra intervene in the level of fees that are charged.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of the effect of the hen harrier taskforce on trends in the level of crimes against hen harriers on grouse moors.

Defra is a principal funder of the National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU) and is providing £530,000 for the Unit this year. In 2024, the NWCU launched the Hen Harrier Task Force (HTF) – a partnership designed to help tackle the illegal persecution of hen harriers. Through the HTF, more efficient working between partners expedites the coordination of effective enforcement response. The HTF represents a pivotal shift in combating wildlife crime, using innovative technology such as tracking drones and detection dogs to overcome logistical challenges and enhance evidence collection in remote areas. There is an ongoing review of the HTF which is expected to report to Defra later this year. It will include an overview of confirmed crimes and their locations as well as successes and recommendations for the future.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with stakeholders on the effect of grouse shooting on (a) environmental land management and (b) the rural community.

There have been no recent discussions with stakeholders on this issue.

Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions she has had with the farming sector on the financial impact of changes in the costs of fertiliser due to the conflict in the Middle East on UK farmers.

Defra recognises the recent increase in fertiliser prices caused by the conflict in the Middle East. We are in close contact with domestic fertiliser suppliers and farming unions and are monitoring overall supply to the UK. Defra will continue to engage with industry and farmers to understand potential pressures and options to mitigate any risks.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with the aviculture and caged bird sector on the impact of avian influenza- related restrictions on the operation of that sector.

Defra officials have engaged with the aviculture and caged bird sector, including regional bird clubs and other avicultural organisations, via stakeholder forums and individual discussions as appropriate to understand the impacts of the changes in bird gathering licences on their activities. The Great Britain wild bird and poultry risk levels are reviewed weekly. The avian influenza disease control and prevention measures are kept under regular review and informed by the latest scientific and ornithological evidence and veterinary advice. Defra Ministers regularly meet with APHA on a range of issues including the Government's response to exotic disease outbreaks.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether the impact of avian influenza-related restrictions on the operation of the aviculture and caged bird sector will be considered at her next meeting with the APHA.

Defra officials have engaged with the aviculture and caged bird sector, including regional bird clubs and other avicultural organisations, via stakeholder forums and individual discussions as appropriate to understand the impacts of the changes in bird gathering licences on their activities. The Great Britain wild bird and poultry risk levels are reviewed weekly. The avian influenza disease control and prevention measures are kept under regular review and informed by the latest scientific and ornithological evidence and veterinary advice. Defra Ministers regularly meet with APHA on a range of issues including the Government's response to exotic disease outbreaks.

Food and Rural Affairs, what the frequency is of the review process for her Department and the APHA to monitor the impact of avian influenza-related restrictions on the aviculture and caged bird sector.

Defra officials have engaged with the aviculture and caged bird sector, including regional bird clubs and other avicultural organisations, via stakeholder forums and individual discussions as appropriate to understand the impacts of the changes in bird gathering licences on their activities. The Great Britain wild bird and poultry risk levels are reviewed weekly. The avian influenza disease control and prevention measures are kept under regular review and informed by the latest scientific and ornithological evidence and veterinary advice. Defra Ministers regularly meet with APHA on a range of issues including the Government's response to exotic disease outbreaks.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions the Flood Resilience Taskforce has had with local fire and rescue services on responding to major flooding incidents.

The Floods Resilience Taskforce brings together representatives from national, regional and local government, devolved Governments and the emergency services including the National Fire Chiefs Council and the Fire Brigades Union who are standing members. Local Resilience Forums are also represented, with membership rotating between different areas and they provide a perspective from local areas, including from Fire and Rescue Services. In February 2025, the Floods Resilience Taskforce considered the response to autumn and winter flooding including the work of the Fire and Rescue Services. The Taskforce plans to meet in March 2026 to discuss the most recent autumn and winter flooding.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether issues associated with the potential merits of introducing information about methods of slaughter on food labelling have been raised in her discussions with the [i] National Farmers Union, [ii] the British Retail Consortium, [iii] the Food and Drink Federation, and [iv] UK Hospitality.

Defra engages regularly with all relevant stakeholders in the farming and food industry on a range of topical matters, including food labelling. Defra also engages regularly with other interested stakeholders, such as animal welfare NGOs, on matters relating to farm animal welfare. As set out in the recently published animal welfare strategy, the Government is committed to ensuring that consumers have access to clear information on how their food was produced. To support this, the Government will continue working with relevant stakeholders, including the farming and food industry, scientists and NGOs to explore how improved food labelling more generally could provide greater consumer transparency and promote better animal welfare.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether issues associated with the potential merits of introducing information about methods of slaughter on food labelling have been raised in her discussions with the [i] British Meat Processors Association, [ii] the International Meat Trade Association, [iii] the Association of Independent Meat Suppliers, and [iv] the British Poultry Council.

Defra engages regularly with all relevant stakeholders in the farming and food industry on a range of topical matters, including food labelling. Defra also engages regularly with other interested stakeholders, such as animal welfare NGOs, on matters relating to farm animal welfare. As set out in the recently published animal welfare strategy, the Government is committed to ensuring that consumers have access to clear information on how their food was produced. To support this, the Government will continue working with relevant stakeholders, including the farming and food industry, scientists and NGOs to explore how improved food labelling more generally could provide greater consumer transparency and promote better animal welfare.

Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing information about methods of slaughter on food labelling.

The Government encourages the highest standards of animal welfare at slaughter. As set out in the Government’s animal welfare strategy, we are committed to ensuring that consumers have access to clear information on how their food was produced. To support this, we will continue working with relevant stakeholders to explore how better food labelling could provide greater consumer transparency and promote better animal welfare.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with relevant stakeholders on her food labelling policies.

Defra meets regularly with a variety of stakeholders in the farming and food industry. Through these meetings, ministers are able to engage with relevant stakeholders on a range of relevant topical matters, including food labelling, as necessary.Defra also regularly meets with stakeholder groups, such as the Business Expert Group on Food Standards and Labelling, which is an advisory forum that facilitates structured dialogue between government, industry and enforcement bodies specifically on food labelling.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 13 January 2026 to WPQ 103427 about fly tipping, whether the recommendations of the National Fly-tipping Prevention Group will impact fly-tipping policy.

Defra officials chair regular meetings of the National Fly-tipping Prevention Group and whilst various aspects of fly-tipping are discussed at these meetings, the group does not develop formal recommendations to Defra. The aim of the group, whose members include various local councils, the Environment Agency, National Police Chiefs Council and others, is to promote and disseminate good practice with regards to preventing fly-tipping. The work of the group informs our evidence base. The group has developed various practical tools including guides on how councils and others can present robust cases to court, set up and run effective local partnerships to tackle fly-tipping and raise awareness of the household and business waste duty of care. These are available at: https://nftpg.com/.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the 2024 Slaughter Sector Survey, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the number of [a] pigs, [b] chickens [c] cows and [d] sheep that were stunned before slaughter compared to the last five reported survey years.

Regulations require that animals must be stunned prior to slaughter so that they are unconscious and insensible to pain. The only exception to the requirement to stun is where animals are slaughtered in accordance with religious rites. The Government would prefer all animals to be stunned before slaughter, but we respect the rights of Jews and Muslims to eat meat prepared in accordance with their religious beliefs. For sheep and goats, the Government supports an industry-led initiative called the Demonstration of Life Protocol, which provides assurance for Muslim consumers that the stunning of these animals is compatible with halal slaughter requirements, while protecting the welfare of the animals involved and supporting opportunities for trade. All pigs are stunned before slaughter, in accordance with legislation. As set out in the government’s animal welfare strategy, we will consult on banning the use of carbon dioxide gas as a method of stunning pigs.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the 2024 Slaughter Sector Survey, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the number of [a] pigs, [b] chickens [c] cows and [d] sheep that were not stunned before slaughter compared to the last five reported survey years.

Regulations require that animals must be stunned prior to slaughter so that they are unconscious and insensible to pain. The only exception to the requirement to stun is where animals are slaughtered in accordance with religious rites. The Government would prefer all animals to be stunned before slaughter, but we respect the rights of Jews and Muslims to eat meat prepared in accordance with their religious beliefs. For sheep and goats, the Government supports an industry-led initiative called the Demonstration of Life Protocol, which provides assurance for Muslim consumers that the stunning of these animals is compatible with halal slaughter requirements, while protecting the welfare of the animals involved and supporting opportunities for trade. All pigs are stunned before slaughter, in accordance with legislation. As set out in the government’s animal welfare strategy, we will consult on banning the use of carbon dioxide gas as a method of stunning pigs.

Food and Rural Affairs, how many times did the National Fly- Tipping Prevention Group meet during the Calendar Year of 2025.

The National Fly-tipping Prevention Group met twice in the 2025 calendar year.