The Westminster lensArchive · Written questions · 196 tabled · 173 answered

Written questions by Sewards.

Every parliamentary written question tabled by Mark Sewards this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.

Department:All (196)Department of Health and Social Care (62)Department for Education (20)Home Office (19)Department for Transport (12)Treasury (10)Department for Business and Trade (10)Department for Work and Pensions (10)Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (9)Ministry of Justice (9)Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (9)Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (8)Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (5)

Showing 15 of 5 · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

24 Jun 2026·Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs·Answered
Asked

Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department plans to require the routine publication of farmed animal welfare inspection reports across all farmed species.

Reply

The Government recognises the importance of transparency where it relates to the welfare of farmed animals. The Government publishes the Multi Annual National Control Plan (MANCP) Annual Reports which includes national data on inspections.

24 Jun 2026·Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs·Answered
Asked

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to establish a centralised system for publishing farmed animal welfare indicators, including mortality data.

Reply

The Government is not establishing a centralised system and already publishes indicators relevant to farmed animal welfare, for example, the percentage of eggs coming from different laying hen production systems. The Food Standards Agency separately publi...

28 Apr 2025·Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs·Answered
Asked

Food and Rural Affairs, whether the introduction of Extended Producer Responsibility packaging taxation will ensure that the cost of recycling is passed to manufacturers.

Reply

Packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR) implements the polluter-pays principle by obligating brands and packaging producers to pay the costs of managing household packaging waste.

24 Oct 2024·Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs·Answered
Asked

Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department is taking steps to help increase the affordability of cat neutering services.

Reply

The Competition and Markets Authority, which is independent from Defra, is currently undertaking a market investigation into veterinary services, which includes the cost of veterinary care. Defra will review any recommendations that are made by the CMA wh...

23 Oct 2024·Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs·Answered
Asked

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help tackle the abandonment of domestic animals.

Reply

Defra regularly meets animal welfare stakeholders to understand issues and trends that are affecting the sector, including the impact of the rise in the cost of living on pet keepers and welfare organisations. Defra welcomes the support that the animal se...

Sources
SourceUK Parliament Members API
MethodQuestion and answer text as published. Question preamble (“To ask the…”) trimmed for readability; answers shown in full.