Written questions by Niblett.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether it remains her policy to maintain the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 in their current form.

Awaiting answer.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to restore nature at scale.

Awaiting answer.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent steps her Department has taken to halt and reverse species decline.

Awaiting answer.

Food and Rural Affairs, when she plans to issue updated guidance on pet passports.

From 22 April 2026, new European Union regulations will apply which will affect the non‑commercial movement of pet dogs, cats and ferrets entering the EU from Great Britain. The European Commission have been clear that EU pet passports should only be issued to pet owners who have their main residence inside the European Union. Updated guidance on travelling to the EU from Great Britain is now available on GOV.UK, and any future updates will be published on the relevant pages. 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, which will mean taking pets on holiday into the EU will be easier and cheaper. Instead of getting an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) each time they travel, pet owners will be able to get a multiuse pet passport valid for travel to the EU. Until an agreement with the EU is reached, owners will still need an AHC for their dog, cat or ferret(s) if they are travelling from GB (England, Wales and Scotland) to an EU country.Discussions on the SPS agreement are progressing and the Government has committed, with the EU, to conclude negotiations before the next UK-EU Summit. Whilst these negotiations are ongoing, Defra is unable to provide detailed updates on the talks.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether she is taking steps to ensure those with long standing agri-environment agreements will be able to apply for the new Sustainable Farming Incentive without a break in their payment.

Awaiting answer.

Food and Rural Affairs, if she will provide an update on the countryside stewardship higher tier (CSHT) scheme and if it is on target to deliver its goals.

Awaiting answer.

Food and Rural Affairs, when the budget available for new Sustainable Farming Incentive agreements in 2026 will be published; and if the budget allocated to each application window will be published at the same time.

Awaiting answer.

Food and Rural Affairs, if she will set out further detail on the long-term future of SFI and provide clarity, particularly for those who are unable to access SFI26 because of budget constraints and the timeline of expiring agreements.

Awaiting answer.

Food and Rural Affairs, if she will hold discussions with the Association of Independent Meat Suppliers on protests outside their members' premises.

Defra engages regularly with stakeholders across the food and farming sector, including representative bodies, on matters within the Department’s remit. Issues relating to protests and public order, including protests taking place outside commercial premises, are matters for the police and fall within the responsibility of the Home Office. The policing of protests is an operational matter for local police forces, who are responsible for balancing the right to peaceful protest with the rights and safety of others.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to written question 120134 answered on 16 March 2026, for what reason GS4 mix is no longer available to farmers.

GS4 was previously an option called ‘Legume and herb-rich swards’ available to farmers under legacy Countryside Stewardship Mid Tier and Higher Tier agreements. This option was replaced with a broadly equivalent action called ‘Herbal leys’ under both the new Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) and new Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) offers. The original mix used for GS4 was a tightly specified herbal ley mix with high species requirements (containing at least 5 species of grass, 4 species of legume and 4 species of herb or wildflowers). It has been replaced in SFI by the CSAM3: Herbal leys action (with lower minimum requirements) and in CSHT by the CGS4: Herbal leys action (using a mix which can be tailored to meet specific local conditions and to support delivery of specific habitats or species).

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to (a) secure national food supply chains and (b) protect food security through mitigation of disruption caused by extreme weather in the context of her Department's publication entitled Nature security assessment on global biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and national security, updated on 2 February 2026.

UK self-sufficiency has remained broadly stable for several decades. In 2024, the UK was 65% self-sufficient for all food; 77% for food that can be produced here. In most scenarios, strong domestic production and imports through stable trade routes ensure food supply is maintained and can withstand disruptive events such as extreme weather. Nature underpins our security, prosperity, and resilience and understanding the threats we face from biodiversity loss is crucial to meeting them head on. Defra works with industry and across Government to monitor risks that may arise. This includes extensive, regular and ongoing engagement in preparedness for, and response to, issues with the potential to cause disruption to food supply chains.

Food and Rural Affairs, for what reason her Department stopped availability of SFI GS4 (Legume and herb-rich swards); and what factors were taken into consideration when making this decision.

GS4 is not an action under SFI. It is a Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier action, and is unaffected by the Government’s announced reforms to SFI.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to help promote the use of British wool.

The UK has a proud tradition of wool production going back many centuries. British Wool is an independent public body who work on behalf of the wool industry to promote the use of British wool. As a natural, versatile, and durable textile, which is renewable, biodegradable, and environmentally sustainable, wool from across Britain is already being used in flooring, furnishing, apparel, insultation and bedding. British Wool’s 2025 Annual Report highlights its work in expanding overseas markets through promotional activity, product development, digital outreach and trade campaigns, boosting global visibility and international demand for British wool products. British Wool also operate a licensee scheme to help consumers identify products with certifiable British wool content, identified by the recognisable ‘crook mark’. The Government continues to work with British Wool to raise awareness of the role wool can play in a supporting a resilient rural economy.

Food and Rural Affairs, when she plans to answer Question 105030 on Farm Business Tenancy.

A response was published to Question 105030 on Wednesday 28 January here: PQ 105030. I apologise for the delay in doing so.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to her Department's document entitled Guidelines and guidance on the responsible use of veterinary medicines, updated on 8 October 2024, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the inclusion of blanket flea and worming treatments in veterinary health plans on the responsible use of veterinary medicine and antimicrobials in animals.

Flea and tick products play an important role in protecting animal and human health; however, the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) recognises increasing concerns about the environmental impacts of substances such as fipronil and imidacloprid. Monitoring in England has detected these substances in some watercourses at levels that may pose a risk to aquatic invertebrates. The VMD is leading cross‑government work through the Pharmaceuticals in the Environment Group to support responsible use of these products. Recently published VMD‑funded studies (2024–25) have shown that spot‑on flea and tick products can contribute to environmental levels of imidacloprid and fipronil through wastewater pathways and when dogs swim. These findings strengthen the evidence base, but important gaps remain, including understanding the potential unintended consequences if usage patterns change. This is being considered as part of wider stewardship work to ensure future decisions remain proportionate, evidence based and protective of animal welfare.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to introduce statutory protection of the title “Registered Veterinary Nurse”.

As set out in the newly released consultation regarding reform of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966, Defra is proposing statutory protection of the Veterinary Nurse title in line with Veterinary Surgeons.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he plans to take to increase participation in the RCVS Practice Standards Scheme.

In the newly released consultation regarding reform of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966, Defra proposes to replace the RCVS Practice Standards Scheme with a mandatory licence for all veterinary and animal healthcare businesses. This will ensure they all meet the required standards, including the 30% of practices not currently engaged with the Practice Standards Scheme.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether she plans to review Farm Business Tenancy to enable longer leases, succession of tenancy and increases in security of tenure for tenant farmers.

The department recognises the benefits of longer leases and the importance of security of tenure for tenant farmers. Under the Agricultural Tenancies Act 1995, landlords and tenants may agree tenancy terms of any length. To encourage more landlords and tenants to enter into longer-term agreements the joint Defra and industry Farm Tenancy Forum is developing guidance and best practice. All parties to a Farm Business Tenancy are encouraged to employ the Agricultural Landlord and Tenant Code of Practice, which sets out expected standards for constructive tenancy negotiations, including succession.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether she plans to introduce requirements for veterinary practices to display in-clinic and online information about ownership beyond listings on the RCVS website.

Defra welcomes the Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA’s) market investigation into veterinary services for household pets and continues to engage with the CMA throughout this process. The CMA’s responsibilities include enforcing the law against anti-competitive practices and investigating mergers that could reduce competition. The CMA are currently reviewing the results of the consultation on their Provisional Decision Report which includes introducing requirements for veterinary practices to be open about their ownership. Defra will be responding to the CMA’s final report following its publication in Spring 2026 and will be consulting on reform of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 in due course.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to ensure that farmers are protected from the monopsony sugar beet processor.

The Government recognises the importance of sugar beet farmers and their vital contribution to UK sugar production. Also, that sugar beet itself, used in crop rotations, is beneficial to soil and crop health and allows arable farms a season of “rest” from cereal production.We are committed to promoting fairness across the food supply chain. That includes seeing a price agreed for sugar beet that benefits both growers and processors, in the context of the global market.   There is a well-established process in place to agree the domestic sugar beet price; designed to be independent between both parties.While this process has been effective over many years, we continue to keep it and the regulatory framework under review.