Written questions by Duffield.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to raise public awareness of potential impact Yellow Legged Hornets on pollinators.

Defra continues to share the message about the threat of Yellow Legged Hornets (YLHs) to pollinators including honey bees and encourages the public to report suspected sightings. The Department uses a range of communication channels to inform beekeepers and the wider public. The Non-Native Species Secretariat (NNSS) works with over 50 local actions groups and a wide range of other organisations to raise awareness of YLH and has distributed over 48,000 Yellow-Legged Hornet awareness raising materials since January 2026. Invasive Species Week is an annual event to raise awareness of invasive non-native species and how everyone can help to reduce their impacts. This year it will take place from 22 to 28 June 2026. Tuesday 23 June will focus on recording and volunteering and will include events highlighting work on YLH. Additional media opportunities for awareness raising will be used as they arise. As part of the wider work to support pollinators, Defra has committed to delivering a refreshed Pollinator Action Plan, as part of the broader Environmental Improvement Plan. This will set out key actions for pollinators in England.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps is her department taking to tackle the potential impact of the Yellow Legged Hornet on pollinators in Canterbury in wider Kent.

Defra remains committed to taking action against Yellow-Legged Hornets (YLHs) in England in 2026 and the Animal and Plant Health Agency’s National Bee Unit (NBU) stand ready to respond to reported sightings. The NBU will follow up credible reports of YLHs to find and destroy nests.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps the Marine Management Organisation is taking to ensure (a) adequate support and (b) fair enforcement of the IVMS license condition for under 12m vessels.

Regarding adequate support Introduction of the I-VMS licence condition was communicated to industry in March 2025 before coming into force on 12 May 2025 for English licensed vessels. It is an interim measure to support English vessel owners be as prepared as possible for when the legislation comes into force, by ensuring vessels have a type-approved device installed and also so we can work with owners and suppliers to address any technical or logistical issues.MMO continues to work with I-VMS device suppliers to assist industry with any issues with I-VMS devices to try and resolve them. We are aware both suppliers are currently experiencing a high volume of enquiries. Fishers are able to contact a dedicated MMO I-VMS helpline which is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, by calling 01900 508618, or email  ivms@marinemanagement.org.uk. Regarding fair enforcement Where MMO are informed fishers are taking steps to be compliant by arranging installation or working with suppliers to resolve issues, they will take a measured approach to any enforcement activity under the licence condition.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps the Marine Management Organisation is taking to ensure that cumulative impacts of offshore developments are properly assessed in relation to fisheries.

The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has two roles involved in assessments of offshore developments in two parts: As the competent authority under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 to approve marine licences below MHWS. As a statutory consultee and interested party as part of the Planning Act 2008 for National Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs). For marine licences we undertake consultation including a public consultation as part of the assessment process. This can involve consultation with the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) as our scientific advisors who provides comments on the impacts to fishing and fish and shellfish ecology. The public consultation period allows anyone to provide comments on the impacts of the development. Through the Regional Fisheries Groups (RFGs), marine licensing applications with potential to significantly impact fishing activities within 12 nautical miles are shared with the inshore fishing sector at consultation stage to improve visibility and ensure potential impacts are considered by the fishing industry. The MMO also has a mapping system that highlights the fishing effort, fish ecology and other developments within the area of the proposed development and makes all decisions in line with the Marine Plan(s) for the area the development is in, and the applicant must submit a full assessment of their impact against the plan. All this information is used to make a decision on the impacts of the project on fisheries to make a positive determination on the project. For NSIP projects the MMO reviews the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) which includes Fish and Shellfish Ecology and Commercial Fisheries chapters. MMO provides comments on these and highlights the areas that are subject to spatial squeeze, areas including species or habitat type that may be impacted by developments. MMO also consults the Cefas as our scientific advisors who also provides comments on the impacts to fishing and fish and shellfish ecology. In addition, MMO asks developers to ensure updates to documents are made in relation to any fisheries comments from other interested parties. It is for the Secretary of State for each application to decide on the impacts of fishing and if the project needs any restrictions or additional information. The MMO is taking further steps to ensure the data we have is used to provide detailed up to date knowledge of the potential cumulative impacts from offshore development. All data from offshore developments is being included on the marine data exchange, managed by The Crown Estate.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps the Marine Management organisation is taking to ensure fair and proportionate enforcement across domestic and foreign flagged vessels operating in UK inshore waters.

The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) is responsible for the enforcement of fisheries regulations within the English sector of UK waters. Foreign flagged fishing vessels are not permitted to fish within the 0-6nm zone and access to the 6-12nm zone is restricted to those foreign vessels which have a historic track-record of access and meet certain criteria around gear types and engine power. The MMO monitors the movements of all foreign and UK fishing vessels within English waters using Vessel Monitoring System tracking data and alarms are received when a vessel is detected travelling at fishing speeds within an area where they are not permitted to fish. All alarms are investigated and enforcement action taken according to the MMO’s compliance and enforcement strategy when non-compliance is detected. The MMO also operate two Offshore Patrol Vessels which carry out inspections at sea of fishing vessels within English waters. Inspections are targeted according to a risk-based approach incorporating considerations including vessel size, gear type, history of compliance and received intelligence. In FY 2024/2025, 368 UK vessels and 244 non-UK vessels were inspected at sea.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking with the Ministry of Defence to deliver the target to protect and manage 30 per cent of the land and sea for nature by 2030.

To deliver our 30by30 commitments Defra works closely with arms-length bodies and other departments, including the Ministry of Defence (MoD). This includes through the National Estate for Nature Group, of which the MoD, which manages extensive estates, is a member. Natural England and other Statutory Nature Conservation Bodies (SNCBs) also support the MoD in managing land to enhance biodiversity, and in minimising the impacts of their operations on Marine Protected Areas. We are working across Government, including with the MoD, to publish our delivery strategy for 30by30 on land in England.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to support the (a) sustainability and (b) economic resilience of small-scale shellfish fisheries post-Brexit.

The Fisheries Act 2020 enshrines in law the Government’s commitment to sustainable fishing, including to produce Fishery Management Plans (FMPs) to ensure our stocks are being fished sustainably and the marine environment is protected. Through FMPs we are working to further develop and implement effective, evidence-based management to deliver long-term sustainability of our important shellfish fisheries. Once the new partnership with the EU is implemented, we expect the SPS Agreement will allow exports of undepurated Class B live bivalve molluscs from GB to the EU to resume.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of forthcoming legislation relating to IVMS licensing on small-scale shellfish fisheries.

All English under 12 metre fishing vessels have been required to have a functioning iVMS system on board since 12 May 2025. iVMS provides vessel level data on position, course, and speed for under12 m English fishing vessels including those involved in small-scale shellfish fisheries. This information will be used to support decisions on fisheries management planning, conservation efforts, statistical and scientific analysis, compliance, and law enforcement.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to review conflict of interest rules within the IFCA framework to ensure the industry appointed members can meaningfully contribute to decisions whilst maintaining transparency.

The statutory report on the IFCA conduct and operations was published in February along with the Government response. Ensuring transparency in decision making processes was a key improvement. Defra are working with IFCAs to action recommendations. In particular developing consistent guidance supporting industry members will develop including avoiding conflicts of interest.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help tackle illegal shellfish harvesting in English coastal waters.

Defra works closely with the Marine Management Organisation (MMO), Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities (IFCAs), and other organisations to make sure the appropriate arrangements to enforce fisheries regulations are in place. Given the multijurisdictional nature of shellfish harvesting, particularly in areas such as Whitstable, a coordinated approach is essential. In this region, the MMO, the local IFCA, Environmental Health officers, and the police work jointly to monitor shellfish harvesting activities. Where necessary, enforcement action is taken to uphold regulatory standards and protect marine resources.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure full and transparent consultation with the under 14m fishing fleet before mandating Remote Electronic Monitoring as a licence condition.

Remote Electronic Monitoring (REM) in English waters is in the early stages of development, concentrating on vessels over 10 metres in length. Until 2030, we will be working with volunteers in our early adopter phases to design and test systems. We will continue to work in collaboration with industry and individual members throughout this period, ensuring their views are represented.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will conduct a review of Southern Water’s stakeholder engagement with local fisheries on (a) pollution and discharge events and (b) development in Thames Estuary.

This Government is putting customers at the heart of the water system. While stakeholder engagement is a matter for individual water companies, customers will be able to hold water company bosses to account through powerful new customer panels that are being developed. Ministers have met with all company boards to ensure they understand the Government’s drive to transform the water sector and to hear how they plan to meet their obligations to customers and the environment.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure inshore fishing voices are equitably represented in Fisheries Management Plans and Marine Spatial Planning Decisions.

Inshore voices are considered across all fisheries management through support from regional fisheries groups, the Marine Management Organisation’s network of regional fisheries managers, meetings of Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities and other routine engagement. Marine plans should be used to guide decision makers on how to balance different interests in the sea, including fisheries. National policy statements also set out how marine activities should be considered.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential implications for his policies of levels of illegal shellfish harvesting in (a) English coastal waters and (b) Whitstable.

Defra works closely with the Marine Management Organisation (MMO), Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities (IFCAs), and other organisations to make sure the appropriate arrangements to enforce fisheries regulations are in place. Given the multijurisdictional nature of shellfish harvesting, particularly in areas such as Whitstable, a coordinated approach is essential. In this region, the MMO, the local IFCA, Environmental Health officers, and the police work jointly to monitor shellfish harvesting activities. Where necessary, enforcement action is taken to uphold regulatory standards and protect marine resources.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to take forward the spirit and substance of the Climate and Nature Bill.

This Government is absolutely committed to tackling the climate and nature crises. Though there is already a well-developed legislative framework in place, the Government agreed to several actions reflecting the spirit and substance of the Climate and Nature Bill, including an annual statement on the State of Climate and Nature. On July 14 2025 the Secretary of State for the Department of Net Zero and Energy Security, alongside Defra’s Secretary of State, delivered this first of-its-kind statement, setting out with radical transparency the scale of the crises and how the choices we make influence global action. The written statement notes further steps taken on nature restoration, consumption emissions, public participation and collaboration between the Joint Nature Conservation Committee and Climate Change Committee. This Government has restored the UK as an international leader on climate change and is reversing nature’s decline after years of neglect. In this year’s Spending Review, we secured the largest investment in clean power in a generation and record funding for nature restoration. The Government’s climate and nature priorities and policies will be further set out this year in a revised Environmental Improvement Plan, updated delivery plan for Carbon Budgets 4-6 and our Nationally Determined Contributions, Net Zero Public Participation Strategy, Food Strategy, Farming Roadmap, and Land Use Framework.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to ensure that the country’s strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions minimises damage to ecosystems.

This Government knows that there is no route to tackling climate change that does not involve nature, and no pathway to nature recovery that does not consider climate change. This is why are committed to ensuring that the UK’s strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions supports, rather than harms, ecosystems. Nature recovery and preserving our ecosystems are an essential part of the Clean Energy Superpower Mission. As we unblock barriers to the deployment of clean power projects, we are committed to ensuring that, wherever possible, nature recovery is incorporated in development stages and that innovative techniques can be used to encourage nature recovery. Nature-based solutions which deliver for both climate and nature, such as tree planting and peatland restoration, are an essential part of the story. Later this year, the Government will set out our climate and nature priorities and policies in several key documents including an updated plan covering the policies and proposals which will deliver Carbon Budgets 4-6 and a revised Environmental Improvement Plan.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential implications for his policies of the publication entitled Farmed fur animals harbour viruses with zoonotic spillover potential, published by Nature on 4 September 2024.

This paper has been discussed at the Human Animal Infections and Risk Surveillance group, the cross-Government risk assessment group, where it was recognised that there are several novel viruses detected in fur farmed animals as well as other species farmed for other uses (rabbits and nutria). Further work is now taking place to analyse the risk these viruses may pose to public health as well as animal health, bearing in mind that fur farming is not permitted in the UK but that such “exotic” animals (raccoon dogs, mink, squirrels) may be kept as pets.