Written questions by Hudson.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of extended producer responsibility on pubs in Epping Forest constituency.

The Government has worked closely with industry, including the pub sector, throughout development of Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging. In October 2024, the Government published an updated assessment of the impact of introducing the pEPR scheme on packaging producers as a whole. This impact assessment did not split the assessment by constituency. We do not intend to do any specific analysis on pubs in the Epping Forest constituency.

Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions his Department has had with the pub and brewing sector on the potential impact of extended producer responsibility on glass packaging since 14 May 2025.

Officials also joined a panel for the Wine and Spirit Trade Association on 21 May, and have met with the Food and Drink Federation and the Industry Council for Packaging and the Environment.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether the UK-EU trade deal will require the repeal of the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act 2023.

The EU have accepted there will need to be a number of areas where we need to retain our own rules. The details of these are subject to negotiation, but we have been clear about the importance of being able to set high animal welfare standards, support public health, and support the use of new and innovative technologies. We remain committed to moving forward with the Precision Breeding Act. The EU are also looking to legislate in this area. We look forward to discussing further how we will work together on this issue.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether increasing fishing quotas for UK fisheries was discussed during negotiations on the UK-EU trade deal.

In preparation for negotiations around the UK-EU Summit, Defra engaged with the UK fishing sector to understand their priorities. Throughout these negotiations, we made every effort to achieve the best outcome for the UK fishing industry. We have secured a deal that gives UK fisheries long-term certainty and protects the significant quota uplifts received by the UK under the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA).

Food and Rural Affairs, whether the UK-EU trade deal will allow the roll-out of gene editing in (a) plants, (b) crops, (c) animals and (d) birds.

The EU have accepted there will need to be a number of areas where we need to retain our own rules. The details of these are subject to negotiation, but we have been clear about the importance of being able to set high animal welfare standards, support public health, and support the use of new and innovative technologies. We remain committed to moving forward with the Precision Breeding Act. The EU are also looking to legislate in this area. We look forward to discussing further how we will work together on this issue.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department had discussions with the UK fisheries sector on negotiations with the EU for the UK-EU trade deal.

The deal announced on 19 May secures the continuation of current access arrangements and sees no changes in the level of EU vessel access to UK waters and no changes to the quota shares set out in the Trade and Cooperation Agreement. The UK also retains control over its waters to pursue its own sustainable fishing policies. There are areas where we’re going further and faster than the EU to protect marine life and support sustainable fisheries. That’s not changing. We are committed to the long-term sustainability and prosperity of the UK fleet and will continue to work closely with the fishing industry and coastal communities. In line with our domestic and international obligations, including those of the Fisheries Act 2020 and Joint Fisheries Statement, we strive to improve the sustainability of our fisheries, and publish annual independent assessments of our progress.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the UK-EU trade deal on the sustainability of the fisheries sector.

The deal announced on 19 May secures the continuation of current access arrangements and sees no changes in the level of EU vessel access to UK waters and no changes to the quota shares set out in the Trade and Cooperation Agreement. The UK also retains control over its waters to pursue its own sustainable fishing policies. There are areas where we’re going further and faster than the EU to protect marine life and support sustainable fisheries. That’s not changing. We are committed to the long-term sustainability and prosperity of the UK fleet and will continue to work closely with the fishing industry and coastal communities. In line with our domestic and international obligations, including those of the Fisheries Act 2020 and Joint Fisheries Statement, we strive to improve the sustainability of our fisheries, and publish annual independent assessments of our progress.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make it his policy to include a ban on the importation of product where antibiotics have been used as growth promoters in all future international trade deals.

We have been clear that we will only ever sign trade agreements which align with the UK’s national interests, and we will always uphold our high food standards.

With reference to his Oral Statement of 8 May 2025 on Trade Negotiations, Official Report, columns 897-899, whether food imports under the UK-US Free Trade Agreement of (a) ractopamine-treated pork (b) Bovine Somatotropin-treated dairy and (c) products where antibiotics have been used as growth promoters will be prohibited.

On 8 May, the UK government announced a landmark economic deal with the United States, making the UK the first country to get an agreement with President Trump.We have agreed new reciprocal market access on beef - with UK farmers given a guaranteed quota for 13,000 metric tonnes of beef exports at a very low tariff rate. Imports of hormone treated beef will remain illegal. Our approach to this trade deal has ensured that any agricultural imports coming into the UK will meet the highest food standards.

If he will make it his policy to prohibit the import of ractopamine-treated pork in trade deals.

Our approach to trade deals ensures all agri-food products must comply with our sanitary and phytosanitary standards and wider import requirements to be placed on the UK market. There is no import ban in the UK on dairy products from cows treated with bovine somatotropin, however consignments must be accompanied by animal and public health certification and come from approved countries and establishments. We will not change this in any trade deal.The UK prohibits the use of artificial growth hormones, beta-agonists such as ractopamine and anything other than potable water to decontaminate poultry carcasses in both domestic production and imported meat products.We will continue to maintain our existing high standards for animal health and food hygiene, ensuring that imported products comply with our import requirements.

If he will make it his policy to prohibit the import of hormone-treated beef in trade deals.

Our approach to trade deals ensures all agri-food products must comply with our sanitary and phytosanitary standards and wider import requirements to be placed on the UK market. There is no import ban in the UK on dairy products from cows treated with bovine somatotropin, however consignments must be accompanied by animal and public health certification and come from approved countries and establishments. We will not change this in any trade deal.The UK prohibits the use of artificial growth hormones, beta-agonists such as ractopamine and anything other than potable water to decontaminate poultry carcasses in both domestic production and imported meat products.We will continue to maintain our existing high standards for animal health and food hygiene, ensuring that imported products comply with our import requirements.

If he will make it his policy to prohibit the import of chlorine-washed poultry in trade deals.

Our approach to trade deals ensures all agri-food products must comply with our sanitary and phytosanitary standards and wider import requirements to be placed on the UK market. There is no import ban in the UK on dairy products from cows treated with bovine somatotropin, however consignments must be accompanied by animal and public health certification and come from approved countries and establishments. We will not change this in any trade deal.The UK prohibits the use of artificial growth hormones, beta-agonists such as ractopamine and anything other than potable water to decontaminate poultry carcasses in both domestic production and imported meat products.We will continue to maintain our existing high standards for animal health and food hygiene, ensuring that imported products comply with our import requirements.

If he will make it his policy to prohibit the import of Bovine Somatotropin-treated dairy products in trade deals.

Our approach to trade deals ensures all agri-food products must comply with our sanitary and phytosanitary standards and wider import requirements to be placed on the UK market. There is no import ban in the UK on dairy products from cows treated with bovine somatotropin, however consignments must be accompanied by animal and public health certification and come from approved countries and establishments. We will not change this in any trade deal.The UK prohibits the use of artificial growth hormones, beta-agonists such as ractopamine and anything other than potable water to decontaminate poultry carcasses in both domestic production and imported meat products.We will continue to maintain our existing high standards for animal health and food hygiene, ensuring that imported products comply with our import requirements.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of rainfall patterns in 2025 on domestic food production.

The UK has a resilient food supply chain that has frequently demonstrated its ability to adapt when required. The Met Office’s 3-month weather outlook for May, June and July indicates near average rainfall is most likely for the UK but with a slightly higher than normal chance of wet weather. Defra is aware of the current concerns around the ongoing dry conditions. However, it is too early to understand the impact of this period of dry weather on livestock, horticulture and crop plantings and the subsequent impact this may have on yield and quality later in the year at harvest time. We continue to engage and work closely with the industry and to monitor the weather impacts on domestic food production, through the UK Agriculture Market Monitoring Group (UKAMMG), which was established by Defra and the Devolved Administrations to monitor the UK market across all key agricultural commodities.

Food and Rural Affairs, what proposals he plans bring forward to enforce the ban on live exports to slaughter under the Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Act 2024 specifically for Equidae.

I refer the Honourable Member to the answer I gave on 11 April 2025 to PQ 43550 and 43549.

Food and Rural Affairs, how many Equidae were recorded entering the UK via (a) Fishguard (b) Holyhead (c) Cairnryan (d) Birkenhead and (e) other ports in each year since 2023.

The table shows the number of equids imported into GB with the port of entry recorded as Birkenhead, Cairnryan, Fishguard, or Holyhead, and the number of equids imported into GB with the port of entry recorded as a port other than those specified. For the year 2023, there were 355 consignments where the third party did not record the number of equids on the notifications Arrival YearPort of EntryNumber of Equids2023Birkenhead-Cairnryan5Fishguard167Holyhead9,911Other Ports13,8372023 Total23,920 2024Birkenhead32Cairnryan74Fishguard869Holyhead12,944Other Ports13,9342024 Total27,853 2025Birkenhead94Cairnryan20Fishguard580Holyhead3,330Other Ports4,4572025 Total8,481 Grand Total60,254

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference oral contribution of 23 April 2025 by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Official Report, column 1141, how much funding has been approved for projects under the Water Restoration Fund in the latest funding round.

The Water Restoration Fund, which launched in April last year, is reinvesting funding based on water company environmental fines and penalties into projects to improve the water environment. The Water Restoration Fund funding is based on water company fines and penalties from April 2022 until October 2023. Up to £11 million of funding was made available on a competitive basis to support a range of water restoration projects. Following a rigorous assessment process, I am pleased to say that current applicants to the Water Restoration Fund have been contacted regarding the outcome of their application. Further details regarding which projects have been successful and specific funding allocations per project will be shared in due course.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference oral contribution of 23 April 2025 by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Official Report, column 1141, if his Department will maintain the Water Restoration Fund for this Parliament and beyond.

The water restoration fund is currently active. Defra is evaluating how water company fines and penalties can be reinvested in improvements to the water environment.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference oral contribution of 23 April 2025 by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Official Report, columns 1136 and 1165, what proportion of the planned funding for the water system from the private sector had been secured by 23 April 2025.

The price controls set as part of Price Review 2024 came into effect on 1st April 2025. In their Final Determinations, Ofwat set expenditure allowances which fund companies to meet their statutory and regulatory requirements and deliver their performance commitments over the 2025-30 period.The £104 billion funding package is the highest level of investment in the water sector since privatisation and is set to be the second largest private sector investment programme for this Parliament, which will contribute to the delivery of key elements of the Government’s Plan for Change and Mission Objectives. The £104 billion expenditure planned over the next 5 years comes from expenditure by the water companies, which are required to maintain, improve and build new infrastructure like pipes and treatment plants. Customers pay for the reasonable costs of these investments through their water bills but over a long period of time, not as the costs arise. As the money to meet these costs is collected over time, water companies need to raise the finance to pay for the investment upfront. This finance comes from investors in the form of debt and equity.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will publish the projects funded by the Water Restoration Fund since 5 July 2024.

The Water Restoration Fund, which launched in April last year, is reinvesting funding based on water company environmental fines and penalties into projects to improve the water environment. The Water Restoration Fund funding is based on water company fines and penalties from April 2022 until October 2023. Up to £11 million of funding was made available on a competitive basis to support a range of water restoration projects. Following a rigorous assessment process, I am pleased to say that current applicants to the Water Restoration Fund have been contacted regarding the outcome of their application. Further details regarding which projects have been successful and project publication procedures will be shared in due course.