Every parliamentary written question tabled by Mark Pritchard this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 1–13 of 13 · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to help replace aluminium and PVC medical blister packs with recyclable polypropylene blister packs.
Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging is designed to incentivise producers to use packaging that is easier to recycle, including through fee modulation from year two of the scheme. All medical packaging, including blister packs, must be assessed ...
Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the use of petrol leaf blowers in public spaces on (a) noise pollution and (b) air quality.
The Department for Business and Trade is responsible for the legislation covering noise from outdoor equipment which is governed by the Noise Emission in the Environment by Equipment for use Outdoors Regulations 2001 as amended by the Product Safety and Metrology (Amendment) Regulation 2024.
Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of water consumption by data storage centres on (a) consumer and (b) agricultural water supplies.
Datacentre water consumption varies considerably based on their size and cooling method. There is currently no requirement for data centres to report on their water consumption, so an accurate assessment of their impact on water supplies to consumers and agriculture is difficult. We are working with datacentres and their trade associations to understand their impact and identify opportunities to improve reporting and water efficiencies in their design.
Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to bring forward legislative proposals to require imports of (a) meat, (b) dairy and (c) eggs to meet the same animal welfare standards as the UK.
The Government shares the public’s high regard for the UK’s environmental protections, food standards and animal welfare. Unfortunately, it inherited trade deals signed by the Conservative government that created unfair disadvantages for British farmers. British farming has been let down by 14 years of Tory decline with 14,000 farming businesses closing under Conservative governments. This Government recognises farmers’ concerns about imports produced using methods not permitted in the UK. We have been clear that we will use our Trade Strategy to support economic growth and promote the highest standards of food production.
Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to reduce rates of self-harm by people who work in (a) farming and (b) other agricultural industries.
Defra has set up a dedicated team to look at the particular set of issues driving poor mental health outcomes in the farming and agricultural sector. We will be working in consultation with communities, farming support organisations and experts across the Government to review how we can best support those experiencing poor mental health. Furthermore, the Government is building a national network of Young Futures hubs, which will be present in every community and will deliver support for young people facing mental health challenges. Finally, the Government is giving mental health the same attention and focus as physical health through measures such as employing 8,500 new mental health support workers. This will reduce delays and provide faster treatment closer to people’s homes.
Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to increase biosecurity against alien species located on imported (a) cut flowers and (b) ornamental plants.
The Border Target Operating Model (BTOM) introduced a new risk-based approach to border controls. Goods have been categorised into the risk groups ‘High, medium and low’ and controls have been appropriately weighted against the risk. Certain EU medium-risk cut flowers have been subject to pre-notification since 1st January 2022. EU medium-risk cut flowers have required a Phytosanitary Certificate (PC) since 31 January 2024, but there are now inspections for EU medium-risk goods at the border since 30 April 2024. EU plants for planting, including those used for ornamental purposes, are already classified as high-risk goods, and subject to a pre-notification, a PC and inspections at Border Control Post or Control Points. In relation to risks from invasive non-native species (INNS) more generally, in Great Britain horizon scanning is carried out by UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology every 5 years using expert judgement to identify species likely to arrive, become established and have an impact in the near future. To reduce and prevent the introduction and establishment of INNS we have prioritised horticulture as one of the top 5 pathways of introduction. We have developed a Horticulture Pathway Action Plan (PAP), available here: https://www.nonnativespecies.org/biosecurity/pathway-action-plans/horticulture-pap-for-great-britain/ which aims to address the most likely routes by which INNS can get into the country. There are clearly continued issues with its execution in the field and the new Government will work with stakeholders and business to improve them.
Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to tackle the illegal use of rat poison to kill birds of prey.
Where birds of prey are killed by illegal use of rat poison, the full force of the law should apply to proven perpetrators of the crime. We have significant sanctions in place including an unlimited fine and/or a six-month custodial sentence. Bird of prey...
Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to help reduce the number of Blue Tongue virus livestock cases in Shropshire.
Defra acted quickly to contain bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) when the first case this season was detected on 26 August, implementing zones with movement controls on susceptible livestock to prevent spread. These disease control restrictions have been adap...
Food and Rural Affairs, if he will commission research into the (a) public health and (b) animal welfare impact of quiet fireworks.
The Government is looking at existing policy to decide if and where policy changes may be needed. We also intend to engage with business, consumer groups and charities to gather evidence on issues with and impacts of fireworks, including on animal welfare...
Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to increase domestic production of fruit and vegetables.
This Government recognises that food security is national security and fruit and vegetables grown in the UK have an important part to play. As part of our mission-driven government and, in partnership with the sector, we are considering several ways to ac...
Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to his Department's closed consultation entitled The UK fresh produce sector: review of the supply chain, updated on 14 May 2024, whether he plans to introduce new regul
The Government will deliver a resilient and healthy food system, with a new deal that ensures fairness in the supply chain across all sectors, including the fresh produce sector. Farmers should always receive a fair price for their products and the Govern...
Food and Rural Affairs, if he will increase his Department's funding to the National Wildlife Crime Unit.
The National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU) helps prevent and detect wildlife crime by obtaining and disseminating intelligence, undertaking analysis which highlights local or national threats and directly assisting law enforcers in their investigations. Defr...
Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to protect (a) the food supply chain, (b) livestock and (c) public health from the Asian longhorned tick.
The UKHSA has been running a tick surveillance scheme (TSS) since 2004 which encourages people to send in ticks for identification. The Animal and Plant Health Agency and our veterinary investigation centres are part of this scheme, particularly through our Centre of Expertise for Extensively Managed Livestock. The TSS has so far not detected the Asian Longhorned Tick. We recognise that over the last few years there has been an expansion in certain tick populations of our livestock and managed deer populations, which can mean both public and animal health risks of tick borne diseases are increasing. In response, we have funded a £6.5 million research programme with BBSRC on vector borne diseases which includes several projects on ticks, livestock and climate impacts.