Every parliamentary written question tabled by Neil Hudson this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 141–146 of 146 · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with stakeholders about the implementation of the Border Target Operating Model.
Defra continues to monitor and review the impact of the new controls. We are working closely with industry, trade partners and enforcement agencies to minimise disruption and costs to trade, while continuing to protect our biosecurity. Defra also gathers stakeholder insights through regular meetings and round-table sessions with border stakeholders.
Food and Rural Affairs, how much illegal meat coming into the UK was seized in (a) 2023 and (b) 2024.
Illegal meat seizures data captured as part of Defra’s African Swine Fever programme: 2023, 552 seizures, totalling 44,482 kg2024 (Jan- 11 Oct 2024), 576 seizures, totalling 42,470 kg
Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help stakeholders prepare for the introduction of the third stage of the Border Target Operating Model on 31 January 2025.
The Government announced on 7 October that Safety and Security declarations will be required for EU imports from 31 January 2025. Readiness is assessed as being on track. A plan is in place that includes a comprehensive list of readiness activity, with engagement well underway with trade. On 13 September, Government announced an extension to the easement of import checks on medium-risk fruit and vegetables imported from the EU from January 2025 to 1 July 2025. Such products will not be subject to import checks at the GB border or charged the associated fees until this date. This easement is a temporary measure to ensure that new ministers have a full and thorough opportunity to review the planned implementation of further border controls, and an opportunity to listen to businesses across import supply chains.
Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to tackle fly-tipping in (a) rural, (b) semi-rural and (c) urban communities.
Fly-tipping is a serious crime which blights communities and the environment and dealing with it imposes significant costs on both taxpayers and businesses. In our manifesto we committed to forcing fly-tippers and vandals to clean up the mess that they have created as part of a crackdown on anti-social behaviour. We will provide further details on this commitment, and other actions to tackle fly-tipping, in due course. In the meantime, Defra will continue to chair the National Fly-Tipping Prevention Group through which we work with a wide range of stakeholders such as local authorities, the Environment Agency and National Farmers Union, to promote good practice with regards to tackling fly-tipping, including on private land.
Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the implications for his policies of the level of fly-tipping in Epping Forest constituency.
The department has not yet made any formal assessment of the implications of its fly-tipping policies. Local authorities are required to report fly-tipping incidents and enforcement actions to Defra, which the department publishes annually, at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/env24-fly-tipping-incidents-and-actions-taken-in-england. This data isn't available at a constituency level and excludes the majority of private-land incidents.
Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to ensure the UK's biosecurity.
The department remains vigilant to potential global disease threats and has in place robust measures to prevent and detect disease incursion, as well as maintaining capacity to contain and eradicate outbreaks, should they occur. Our robust, risk-based border control regime safeguards against the import of pests, disease threats and invasive species through trade in animals and plants and their associated products.