Written questions by Coyle.

Food and Rural Affairs, when her Department will finish consulting on banning collars which harm animals, including e-collars.

Awaiting answer.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of support provided to Environmental Health Practitioners in tackling Noise and Nuisance complaints through the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

The Government is committed to ensuring that noise is managed effectively to promote good health and minimise disruption to people’s quality of life. Councils are independent bodies accountable to their electorate rather than to Ministers or Government Departments and are responsible for deciding how they use their resources and discharge their responsibilities, including how Environmental Health Practitioners are supported to carry out their duties under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

Food and Rural Affairs, what exemptions are permitted for small, not-for-profit operators under the Animal Rights Act to ensure reindeer used to help generate hospice and other charity donations are not destroyed.

Some reindeer displays may be required to be licensed. The type of licence needed will depend on the nature of the display (permanent or temporary) and whether the reindeer are being exhibited as part of a business. There are also licensing requirements for keeping certain species of reindeer regarded as dangerous, where they are kept outside of a licensed zoo or pet shop. Reindeer are also prohibited from being displayed as part of a travelling circus. Licences are granted by local authorities, who can decide on the most appropriate type of licence or licences depending on the circumstances of each individual collection. Local authorities can also consider whether an exemption or dispensation may be appropriate.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to increase flood resilience in (a) Bermondsey and Old Southwark constituency and (b) other flood-prone areas.

The Government, through the Environment Agency (EA), is investing £2.65 billion between 2024/25 and 2025/26 to build and maintain flood and coastal defences, better protecting around 52,000 properties from flooding. The Thames Barrier and tidal wall defences provide significant protection from tidal flood risk to Bermondsey and Old Southwark constituency. The EA is managing tidal flood risk through this century by implementing the Thames Estuary 2100 Plan. This will require defences to be raised by 0.5m by 2050 to keep pace with climate change on top of ongoing maintenance of these assets. Last year London Borough of Southwark completed the Lost Peck Flood Alleviation scheme supported by £1.39 million of EA capital grant. This improved surface water flood risk to 207 residential properties in neighbouring constituencies. The Borough and the EA continue to work together to develop a pipeline of surface water flood alleviation schemes throughout London Borough of Southwark.

Food and Rural Affairs, when the Animal Welfare Committee is expected to publish its review on the responsible sourcing of fur.

I refer the Honourable Member to the reply I gave to the Honourable Member for Romford for PQ 4519 on 16 September 2024.