Written questions by Wrigley.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to meet the hon. Member for South Cotswolds to discuss legislative proposals on climate and nature.

I met with the honourable member for South Cotswolds in January this year.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to meet with campaigners involved with the Climate and Nature Bill.

We regularly meet with campaigners on a wide range of issues, including those who support the Climate and Nature Bill.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will take steps to provide compensation to poultry farmers who have had eggs destroyed as a result of Avian flu.

Compensation paid for birds culled by the Government for disease control purposes is designed to promote prompt reporting of suspicion of disease and is only payable for healthy birds as set out in the Animal Health Act 1981. There is no compensation available for sick birds or birds that have died. Compensation is not paid for consequential losses, including business interruption caused by control measures, or for eggs or poultry meat. We have no plans to reconsider this policy at this time.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will publish the costs to pet owners for (a) pet passports and (b) Animal Health Certificates for travel between the UK and the EU in the last ten years.

The Government does not collect data on the cost of pet passports or Animal Health Certificates. All 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, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of creating a new forum to bring together (a) his Department, (b) the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, (c) the hon. Member for South Cotswolds, (d) campaign groups, (e) NGOs and (f) youth groups to help improve collaboration on climate and nature issues as part of the Environmental Improvement Plan review process.

The Government has already ensured a wide range of stakeholders play an integral role in the Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP) review process, on which we will continue to build. We have, for example, established a new Cross-Sector Stakeholder Advisory Group including NGOs, which informed a rapid review of existing action and will continue to support the development of a revised EIP this year. Alongside government’s Policy Lab we are running an online ‘Collective Intelligence’ debate in March to consider the perspectives of hundreds of wider stakeholders, including youth groups. We will continue to engage across government, including with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, recognising climate and nature’s fundamental role in economic growth and to each of the missions that define this government. We also welcome the vital role that Parliamentarians play in informing and scrutinising our plans, informed by the efforts of the Zero Hour campaign, led by the hon. Member for South Cotswolds. We have agreed with the Bill’s sponsors to take forward a number of actions including making an annual climate and nature statement to parliament and the country, and greater public participation on these issues.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will take steps to strengthen the relationship between the (a) Joint Nature Conservation Committee and (b) Climate Change Committee and the UK Special Representative for Nature.

As part of the Government’s consideration of the Climate and Nature Bill, on 24 January 2025, I committed to strengthen relationships between the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC), the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) and the Special representative for Nature. There is already a strong working relationship between JNCC and CCC. We intend to build on this at a more strategic level and work has commenced to integrate the Special Representative for Nature into this engagement.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make it his policy to provide an annual assessment of the UK’s progress towards climate and nature targets.

This Government is absolutely committed to tackling the climate and nature crises. In January 2025 we committed to publishing an annual climate and nature statement to parliament and the country. In terms of frameworks already in place, under the Climate Change Act 2008, the Climate Change Committee provide an annual assessment on the UK government's progress towards meeting carbon budgets and a biennial assessment of progress to adapt to climate change. We are expecting the next progress reports in spring 2025 and the government will lay its responses in Parliament by 15 October 2025. In accordance with the statutory requirements for progress reports under the Environment Act 2021, the Secretary of State must prepare annual reports on the implementation of the current environmental improvement plan. The next report covering the period to March 2025 is due to be published and laid in Parliament by July 2025.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make it his policy to provide additional (a) financial and (b) social support to poultry farmers affected by Avian Flu quarantine measures.

We recognize that avian influenza outbreaks are very distressing for the individual poultry farmers and businesses who are on the frontline of this terrible disease. Compensation is paid for any healthy birds culled by the Government for avian influenza disease control purposes. In response to the unprecedented outbreaks of avian influenza in October 2022 Defra’s approach to compensation was updated to involve earlier assessment of the number of healthy birds and swifter calculation of compensation. This allows Defra to provide earlier certainty about entitlement to compensation; better reflects the impact of outbreaks on premises; and leads to swifter payments to help stem any cash flow pressures. Any bird keepers whose premises are directly affected by avian influenza will receive support from the Animal and Plant Health Agency. In addition, there are numerous support networks that poultry farmers can contact for help including the rural services helpline. Defra also work in partnership with Farming Help organisations to support their work to help the farming community through challenging times. In addition, a range of grants have been made available to poultry keepers through the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway to improve biosecurity on premises and support the welfare of birds.

Food and Rural Affairs, if his Department will take steps to provide additional (a) funding and (b) other support to free range poultry farmers affected by Avian flu.

The UK poultry sector is highly resilient, adaptable and continues to supply healthy and affordable products in spite of the many challenges it has faced in recent years including the war in Ukraine and Avian Influenza outbreaks. In Autumn 2024 Defra announced a package of measures to help poultry farmers to deal with the impact of Avian Influenza outbreaks and to provide certainty and stability to the sector. This included: The introduction of legislation to allow free-range eggs to continue to be labelled as such for the duration of mandatory housing measures, reducing costs on producers and enabling them to continue to trade fairly with imported eggs. The Statutory Instrument came into force on 24 January 2025.A consultation on introducing similar measures for the labelling of free-range poultry meat during mandatory housing measures. The consultation closed on 16 December 2024. Responses are currently being analysed, and a summary of responses will be published in due course. We continue to work closely with the poultry and egg sectors and to monitor these markets for any supply issues and impacts to producers that arise as a result of Avian Influenza outbreaks.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make it his policy to trial Avian Flu vaccinations in poultry farms in Devon.

Defra have established a cross-government and industry taskforce to explore potential for use of vaccination as a preventive measure for avian influenza. In conjunction with the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD), Defra will continue to monitor the development and availability of vaccines for their utility in preventing and responding to avian influenza outbreaks as they are put forward for market authorisation by vaccine manufacturers. A clinical trial to examine under field conditions the safety and/or efficacy of a veterinary vaccine, when conducted in Great Britain and/or Northern Ireland requires an Animal Test Certificate (ATC). Applications to carry out a clinical trial for avian influenza vaccination must be made to the VMD who will conduct an assessment based on the information provided and consider the application in consultation with Defra.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of existing levels of pesticide pollution on (a) (i) terrestrial and (ii) aquatic ecosystems and (b) public health.

A pesticide may only be sold in Great Britain if it has been authorised by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) following thorough scientific risk assessment. Pesticides that pose unacceptable risks to the environment or human health are not authorised. Defra funds monitoring that provides information on the levels of pesticides found in the environment, as well as development of the UK Pesticide Load Indicator (UK PLI). The PLI outputs help us to understand the potential pressures from pesticide use on the UK environment. The Environment Agency regularly test water sources across the UK to measure chemical and pesticide concentrations. The GB pesticide Maximum Residue Level (MRL) regime sets high standards of consumer protection to ensure that residues in food do not harm human health. An MRL is the maximum concentration of a pesticide residue in or on food that is legally tolerated. MRLs are always set below the level considered safe for people eating the food. HSE report that compliance is high, at 98%. There are very strict limits on the levels of pesticide residues legally tolerated in drinking water. Water company tests reported by the Drinking Water Inspectorate indicate compliance is high, at nearly 100%.

Food and Rural Affairs, if his Department will make an assessment of the effectiveness of existing disposal infrastructure for pesticides in the UK at protecting (a) the environment and (b) public health.

We have no current plans to make an assessment of the effectiveness of existing disposal infrastructure for pesticides in the UK. The Government’s first priority with regard to pesticides is to ensure that they will not harm people or pose unacceptable risks to the environment. All pesticide users should follow good practice in the use, storage and disposal of pesticide products, and work to reduce the amount of waste they produce, as set out in the Code of Practice for Using Plant Protection Products. For all pesticides there are legal requirements to store the product securely, use it according to its authorisation (which will include conditions considered appropriate to protect people and the environment) and dispose safely of any surplus.

Food and Rural Affairs, if his Department will (a) support and (b) meet with the community organisation Friends of the River Teign, in the context of South West Water's plans for tackling levels of overflow along the River Teign.

The Government commends the work of community groups in bringing attention to environmental issues, such as the state of our rivers. The local Environment Agency Team last met with the Friends of the River Teign (FORT) through the South Devon Catchment Partnership in December 2024. The next meeting is arranged for Thursday 6 March. It will include an update on water quality testing including additional monitoring of the Teignmouth Back Beach, Defra’s bathing water consultation, and wider Environment Agency work to improve water quality in the River Teign.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will submit an environmental information request to South West Water seeking to obtain details of the (a) testing and (b) monitoring they have carried out along the River Teign in the last five years.

Access to testing and monitoring data is vital for transparency and to hold water companies to account to deliver protections for our rivers, lakes and seas. There are a number of provisions to ensure that Government, regulators and the public have access to the information about discharges from water company assets. The Environment Agency undertakes statutory bathing water samples to test for microbiological water quality including faecal indicator organisms at Teignmouth Town, Shaldon and Ness Cove, and six additional freshwater sites along the River Teign, during the bathing water season. High readings will be investigated. This data is published on the EA’s Swimfo bathing waters website so that the public can make an informed decision before swimming. Since 1 January 2025, water companies are required to publish data related to discharges from all storm overflows within one hour of the discharge beginning. This data can be found on the South West Water website.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking with the Environment Agency to tackle the flow of pollution from the River Teign into (a) bathing waters and (b) high-priority nature sites.

For too long, water companies have discharged unacceptable levels of sewage into our rivers, lakes and seas. The Water (Special Measures) Bill will drive meaningful improvements in the performance and culture of the water also giving regulators new powers to take tougher and faster action on water companies not delivering for customers and the environment As part of the Storm Overflows Discharge Reduction Plan, by 2035, water companies will improve all storm overflows discharging near every designated bathing water, as well as improving overflows On 12 November 2024, Defra, with the Welsh Government, announced a consultation on potential reforms to The Bathing Water Regulations 2013. We are currently analysing responses to the Consultation and will publish a response in due course. This year, six additional freshwater sites along the River Teign are being monitored by the Environment Agency for microbiological water quality during the bathing water season. Additional monitoring will also continue at Teignmouth Back Beach following a sewage misconnection to surface water drainage in this area. In addition, Shaldon is a priority bathing water with an Action Plan for 2025 In the next investment cycle (2025-2030) there are plans for investigations to reduce storm overflows and improve permitted discharges, and improvements, including to reduce storm overflows.

Food and Rural Affairs, what guidance his Department has issued on using (a) nature-based solutions, (b) salt-marshes and (c) mussel-farming to help reduce pollution in estuaries.

Natural England (NE) has been working with partner organisations such as the Environment Agency (EA) on a range of projects using nature-based solutions to deliver restoration of our estuaries, coasts and inshore marine habitats, including developing guidance for how this could best be undertaken. The Restoring Meadow, Marsh and Reef (ReMeMaRe) initiative led by the EA has published a range of useful guidance reports and restoration handbooks on restoring saltmarsh, seagrass and native oyster habitats in estuaries and coasts. The reports help explain the wider benefits that these nature-based approaches have both for nature recovery and healthy ecosystems. A recent report sets out our current knowledge on natural estuary and coastal flood management. These guides are supported by maps showing potential locations for restoration. The guides describe the wider benefits to local communities from restoring these habitats, including helping improve water quality. NE has also published evidence on where restoration would be possible for some of our most threatened and declining marine habitats through the Marine Restoration Potential (MaRePo) and MaRePo+ projects. In the Solent, we are aware of a project where oysters are being used as a nature-based solution to improve water quality. NE and Defra are part of a project which released 2000 oysters in 2024. There are some studies overseas that look at the use of mussels to help improve marine water quality although we are not aware of published guidance for UK waters. Defra published guidanceon how nature-based solutions may reduce flooding and provide the additional benefit of improving water quality. The EA published guidance on innovative permitting to water companies to enourage them to trial innovative wastewater treatment schemes using nature-based solutions.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to tackle the decline of wild bird populations.

This Government remains committed to taking action to recover our threatened native species including wild birds. That is why, on the 30 July 2024 the Government announced a review of EIP 23 and the intention to develop a revised EIP to protect and restore the natural environment with delivery information to meet the Environment Act targets. This includes reversing the decline in species and reducing the risk of extinction. Government actions to restore and create more than 500,000 hectares of wildlife-rich habitat by 2042 will support a wide range of native bird species. In addition, under ELM we have a number of offers to support the management, restoration and creation of grassland habitats that support a range of bird species.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help the UK meet its commitments on climate change adaptation.

Defra is the lead department for domestic adaptation to climate change, responsible for coordinating requirements set out in the UK Climate Change Act 2008. This includes preparing a UK Climate Change Risk Assessment every five years, followed by a National Adaptation Programme. Defra works closely with the Cabinet Office in delivering this function. Our new pilot, the “Local Authority Climate Service” tool provides Met Office climate data to local authorities based on their specific geographic areas, empowering them to take more effective decisions based on their local risk landscape.Our new £15 million Defra-UKRI research programme ‘Maximising UK Adaptation to Climate Change’ (MACC) will fund world leading strategic research projects to help improve the UK’s resilience to climate change impacts.The Cabinet Office and Defra jointly chair the director-level Climate Resilience Steering Board with HM Treasury and key risk owning departments.Alongside delivering NAP3 we are committed to strengthening the nation’s resilience and are considering a range of options to better embed climate adaptation across the whole of government. Defra has responsibility for around half of the 61 risks and opportunities identified in the third Climate Change Risk Assessment, with a further eleven government departments having responsibility for the remainder.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to monitor companies responsibilities and duties to the environment.

The Government makes full use of the comprehensive and wide ranging environmental regulatory framework in England. There are many regulators involved in delivering Government environmental objectives, and the Environment Agency (EA) is the largest environmental regulator for England. The EA regulates a wide range of industries and activities, in diverse fields such as nuclear power, waste and resources, the water industry, climate change, flood protection. Its regulation brings about significant improvements in protection of the environment, adapts to emerging challenges and supports sustainable growth. The Government also supports voluntary environmental due diligence approaches adopted by UK businesses across their operations and supply chain relationships, in line with the OECD’s Guidelines for Responsible Business Conduct. DBT also oversees the UK’s National Contact Point for Responsible Business Conduct, an independent unit tasked with promoting the OECD Guidelines and managing a non-judicial grievance mechanism to resolve complaints through mediation.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to support nature-friendly farming.

The Government is supporting farmers to implement nature-friendly farming practices through a range of measures. These include habitat restoration and creation; activities to reduce the impact of invasive non-native species on sites or to address pressures on sensitive areas; improvements in water storage and management; and changes to limit emissions while maintaining agricultural profitability and increasing productivity. These measures will be delivered through the Government’s environmental land management schemes. This Government’s vision is a sector that recognises restoring nature is not in competition with sustainable food production but is essential to it. In the Budget announced in October 2024, the Government committed £5 billion to the farming budget over two years, including £1.8 billion for environmental land management schemes in 2025/26. This is the largest ever budget directed at sustainable food production and nature’s recovery in our country’s history and enables us to keep momentum on the path to a more resilient and sustainable farming sector.