Every parliamentary written question tabled by Luke Evans this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 1–20 of 86 · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 27 May to Question 2168 on Dogs: Insurance, what discussions she had with the Dogs Trust, the Devolved Governments and the insurance sector on the development
Defra recognises the importance of public safety and responsible dog ownership. The provision of insurance is a commercial decision for insurers and there is currently very limited coverage available for certain types of dogs. No alternative third-party p...
Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate she has made of the cost of re-issuing exemption certificates following the removal of the requirement for third-party public liability insurance for owners of exempted b
A one-off cost to the Government is expected, estimated to be between £66,000 and £80,000. This includes staff time and the cost of issuing physical certificates, responding to related correspondence and printing and postage costs. There will be no cost t...
Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she made of the potential availability of a replica third-party public liability insurance scheme for owners of exempted dogs, following the Companion Club's announceme
Defra recognises the importance of public safety and responsible dog ownership. The provision of insurance is a commercial decision for insurers and there is currently very limited coverage available for certain types of dogs. No alternative third-party p...
Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made about the [i] effectiveness of the potential means of enforcement of the prohibition on children being left unsupervised with banned breeds, and [ii] the c
Enforcement of the Dangerous Dogs Act is a matter for the police, who have existing powers to take action where necessary. These powers apply to all conditions of exemption, including the prohibition on leaving children unsupervised with banned breed dogs...
Food and Rural Affairs, if she will conduct an assessment of the border control strategies at the UK border to ensure a consistent approach to the use of Animal Health Certificates.
This Government takes the importation of pets seriously and is committed to preserving high standards of biosecurity and animal welfare. Therefore, 100% checks are completed on all non-commercial movements of dogs, cats, ferrets travelling into Great Brit...
Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions she is having with UK border control authorities to ensure staff training about the need for Animal Health Certificates at the UK border.
Checks on pets travelling from Great Britain (GB) into the EU, requiring an Animal Health Certificate (AHC), are completed on behalf of the competent authority in the member state of destination rather than by UK authorities. Checks on pets entering GB ar...
Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 27 May 2026 to Question 286 on Pets: EU Countries, if she will have discussions with Improve International to consider opportunities to increase the number of
There are currently no plans to hold any discussions with Improve International on the number of Official Veterinarians who can issue Animal Health Certificates. Defra is aware of the numerous challenges facing the veterinary sector, including recruitment...
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 con...
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...
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...
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...
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.
Defra regularly engages with veterinary associations on a range of issues, including animal health certification. Prior to the recent EU changes to pet travel requirements, the Department contacted relevant stakeholders, including the British Veterinary A...
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 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, 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, 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] 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.