Written questions by Duncan-Jordan.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent steps she has taken to end the importation of hunting trophies.

Awaiting answer.

Food and Rural Affairs, what criteria her Department uses to assess the effectiveness of the Greyhound Board of Great Britain as a regulator of greyhound welfare.

Awaiting answer.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of the Greyhound Board of Great Britain's roles as industry representative and regulator on its ability to prioritise greyhound welfare.

Awaiting answer.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Ninth Report of the Environmental Audit Committee of Session 2024-26 on Addressing the risks from Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), HC 852, published on 23 April 2026, what steps she is planning to take to help phase out the use of PFAS in everyday products.

Steps to better understand the sources of these chemicals, tackle how they move around in the environment, and act to reduce public and environmental exposure were set out on 3 February 2026 in the UK’s first-ever PFAS Plan. PFAS Plan: building a safer future together - GOV.UK This includes actions on food contact materials, school uniforms and other consumer products. We are closely following the specific measures adopted by France and Denmark which will usefully inform the development of the actions we take forward from the plan. Our long-term vision is to work in partnership, taking a science-based and proportionate approach, to reduce and minimise the impacts of harmful PFAS on public health and the environment, including through the transition to safer alternatives.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of whether Perenco should pay further compensation for oil spill in Poole harbour.

The Environment Agency (EA) has undertaken a full investigation into the March 2023 oil spill in Poole Harbour and rigorously assessed Perenco’s £6 million Enforcement Undertaking (EU) in line with the EA’s Enforcement and Sanctions Policy. The package covers pollution clean‑up, compensation for verified claims, the development of a remediation plan, and funding for local environmental improvement projects. The EU was reviewed at both local and national levels within the EA to ensure it was proportionate, consistent, and reflected the operator’s level of responsibility. Independent impact reports commissioned by the Recovery Co‑ordination Group found that the environmental harm from the incident was short‑lived and localised, with limited long‑term impacts on wildlife, community, and the local economy. Perenco has additionally implemented operational improvements to reduce the risk of future incidents. Based on the EA’s assessment and the findings of the impact reports, the Secretary of State has not identified a need for further compensation.

Food and Rural Affairs, if she will hold a consultation on hunting with hounds.

In the Animal Welfare Strategy, published 22 December 2025, Defra confirmed its intention to consult in early 2026 on how to deliver a ban on trail hunting. The planned consultation will invite respondents to raise any matters which they consider relevant and will provide an opportunity to submit views on how to deliver an effective ban.

Food and Rural Affairs, what plans she has to restrict the use/sale of non-essential single-use plastic products.

The Government recognises the scale and impact of plastic pollution on the environment and is focused on preventing and reducing plastic and other litter entering the environment. We have a number of restrictions on unnecessary single use plastic products, and we will continue to review the latest evidence on problematic products and/or materials to take a systematic approach, in line with circular economy principles, to reduce the use of unnecessary single-use plastic products and encourage reuse solutions.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of whether the £6 million payout from Perenco for the oil spill in Poole Harbour is adequate to offset environmental harm.

The £6 million figure covers the pollution cleanup, compensation for verified claims, collaboration with the relevant authorities to develop and implement a remediation plan, and funding for local environmental improvement projects in the Poole Harbour area. It does not include lost income while the pipeline was out of operation, nor the additional upgrades made on-site to reduce the risk of a similar incident in the future. An Enforcement Undertaking (EU) undergoes a rigorous review at both local and national levels within the Environment Agency to ensure it complies with policy, is applied consistently across the country, and accurately reflects the seriousness of the pollution and the operator’s level of responsibility. Here are the Impact Reports published following oil spill by Poole Harbour Commissioners.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether she plans to retain existing exemptions in the Hunting Act; and if she will make an assessment of the level of likelihood that these exemptions are used to circumvent the law to hunt mammals with hounds.

The planned consultation on the Trail Hunting ban will invite respondents to raise any matters which they consider relevant. The consultation will provide an opportunity to submit your views on how to deliver an effective ban.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 26 February 2026 to Question 114681 on Hunting: Birds of Prey, what assessment she has made of the likelihood of fox hunts exploiting the Falconry exemption to hunt mammals with hounds.

The Department has made no assessment of the likelihood of fox hunts exploiting the Falconry exemption to hunt mammals with hounds.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to work with industry to end the routine culling of male chicks.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 21 January 2026 to the hon. Member for Mid Dorset and North Poole, PQ UIN 105878.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of bringing forward legislative proposals to ban the sale and supply of peat for horticulture.

The Government plans to legislate for a ban on the sale of peat and peat containing products when parliamentary time allows. This commitment is embedded within our Carbon Budget planning and, most recently, reflected in the recently published Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP). The need to work with the Devolved Governments on this matter, to ensure a joined-up approach, was discussed at the Inter Ministerial Group on 5 February 2026.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps are being taken to secure a carve out for animal welfare in the SPS agreement.

The Government shares the British public's high regard for animal welfare and will look to raise standards further through our recently published Animal Welfare Strategy. As announced at the UK-EU Leaders' Summit on 19 May 2025, the UK and EU have agreed to work towards a common Sanitary and Phytosanitary Area. The EU has accepted there will need to be a number of areas where we need to retain our own rules. Negotiations with the EU on the SPS agreement are underway and we cannot provide an ongoing commentary on these discussions, but we are clear about the importance of being able to set high animal welfare standards.

Food and Rural Affairs, what information she holds on when the Animal Welfare Committee plans to publish its report on the responsible sourcing of fur.

As set out in the Government’s animal welfare strategy published in December 2025, we will publish the results of the previous Government’s call for evidence on the fur trade. Defrawill also publish and consider carefully the report from the Animal Welfare Committee on the responsible sourcing of fur. This is due to be completed shortly and will be published on GOV.UK thereafter. The strategy also stated that we will bring together a working group on fur. The group will include both industry experts as well as those who support restrictions on the trade in fur. The aim of the working group will be to explore concerns regarding the trade in fur and the different ways in which they could be addressed.

Food and Rural Affairs, when the working group on fur will be established; and whether animal welfare organisations will be asked to participate.

As set out in the Government’s animal welfare strategy published in December 2025, we will publish the results of the previous Government’s call for evidence on the fur trade. Defrawill also publish and consider carefully the report from the Animal Welfare Committee on the responsible sourcing of fur. This is due to be completed shortly and will be published on GOV.UK thereafter. The strategy also stated that we will bring together a working group on fur. The group will include both industry experts as well as those who support restrictions on the trade in fur. The aim of the working group will be to explore concerns regarding the trade in fur and the different ways in which they could be addressed.

Food and Rural Affairs, what the (a) objectives and (b) workplan will be for the working group on fur.

As set out in the Government’s animal welfare strategy published in December 2025, we will publish the results of the previous Government’s call for evidence on the fur trade. Defrawill also publish and consider carefully the report from the Animal Welfare Committee on the responsible sourcing of fur. This is due to be completed shortly and will be published on GOV.UK thereafter. The strategy also stated that we will bring together a working group on fur. The group will include both industry experts as well as those who support restrictions on the trade in fur. The aim of the working group will be to explore concerns regarding the trade in fur and the different ways in which they could be addressed.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether she plans to publish a response to the call for evidence on the fur trade, published on 31 May 2021.

As set out in the Government’s animal welfare strategy published in December 2025, we will publish the results of the previous Government’s call for evidence on the fur trade. Defrawill also publish and consider carefully the report from the Animal Welfare Committee on the responsible sourcing of fur. This is due to be completed shortly and will be published on GOV.UK thereafter. The strategy also stated that we will bring together a working group on fur. The group will include both industry experts as well as those who support restrictions on the trade in fur. The aim of the working group will be to explore concerns regarding the trade in fur and the different ways in which they could be addressed.

Food and Rural Affairs, when her Department plans to publish the consultation on restricting Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in consumer articles.

The Government published a PFAS Plan on 3 February 2026. This sets out the Government’s approach towards PFAS in consumer articles.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether all species of Zebra will be included in the proposed ban on hunting trophies.

Defra is continuing to engage with relevant stakeholders to help determine the most appropriate scope for a ban on the import of hunting trophies from species of conservation concern. Timeframes for introducing legislation and details of its scope will be provided once the Parliamentary timetable for future sessions is determined. Species of conservation concern are listed primarily on Appendices I and II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) based on the level of threat that international trade poses to their conservation status.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether she is taking steps to ensure that water companies provide low income customers with cheaper social tariffs.

The Government expects water companies to ensure their customers know what support schemes are available and how to access them if they need help. Companies offer a range of support schemes for customers struggling to afford their bills, including social tariffs, WaterSure, debt support schemes, financial hardship funds, flexible payment plans and payment breaks. All companies voluntarily offer social tariff schemes for households – each setting their own eligibility criteria and level of support. Defra is working with water companies to ensure social tariffs are more consistent and taken up by those most in need. Defra also expects companies to hold themselves accountable for their public commitment to end water poverty by 2030. Additionally, the Government has committed to reforming the WaterSure scheme to extend scope and increase support to low-income households who have higher water usage due to medical needs or three or more children.