Written questions by Niblett.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of (a) flood risk and (b) storm preparedness in Derbyshire.

Communities in Derbyshire are at risk of flooding from a variety of sources including main rivers, ordinary watercourses, and surface water. During last winter, over 1,600 properties were sadly flooded internally throughout Derbyshire. The Environment Agency (EA) are responsible for main rivers and maintain a range of flood defences throughout Derbyshire. These protected over 14,000 properties across the county during last winter's storms. Following the floods, defences have been inspected and routine operational checks and maintenance activities have been carried out. The EA continue to work with Derbyshire County Council, as the Lead Local Flood Authority, to reduce flood risk and identify future opportunities for investment in flood defences. The EA monitors river levels, issuing flood warnings 24/7, 365 days a year when required to inform the public and businesses of flood risk. They work closely with Local Resilience Forum partners to plan for, respond to, and recover from flood incidents.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will take steps to ensure that animals are declared correctly as rescued at UK borders; and how many animals have been (a) accepted and (b) rejected at the border in the last five years.

Where the purpose of the movement of an animal is relating to the sale or any other form of transfer of ownership of the animal, including rescue animals, the commercial importation rules should be used. Animals which are imported under the incorrect regime or without the correct documentation may be detained or returned to the country of dispatch. The table below shows the number of all animals (including but not limited to dogs, cats, ferrets, bovines and equines) entering Great Britain from the EU that have been declared as rescue in the Import of Products, Animals, Food and Feed System (IPAFFS). YearNumber of animals recorded as rescue in IPAFFS202161,884202230,624202330,0772024 (Up to 31 October 2024)20,801The Department does not hold data on the number of consignments or animals that have been rejected at the border.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the economic contribution of farming to (a) Derbyshire and (b) South Derbyshire constituency.

Defra does not produce constituency level estimates of the economic contribution of farming. Regional estimates are produced at international territorial levels (ITL) 1, 2 and 3, with ITL3 being the most granular geographical breakdown. In 2023, total income from farming for the three Derbyshire ITL3 regions was £0.13 million for Derby, £11.84 million for East Derbyshire and £36.69 million for South and West Derbyshire. Full details are available here.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an estimate of the economic contribution of farming in Derbyshire.

Defra does not produce county level estimates of the economic contribution of farming so no estimates are available for Derbyshire. Estimates are only available at regional level. The total income from farming for the East Midlands region (which includes Derbyshire) in 2023 was £835 million. Full details are available here: Total Income from Farming in the regions of England in 2023 - GOV.UK.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the water quality of the river ways in (a) Derbyshire and (b) South Derbyshire constituency.

Cleaning up England’s rivers, lakes and seas is a priority for the Government. The Government has taken immediate and substantial action to address water companies who are not performing for the environment or their customers. In September, the Government introduced the Water (Special Measures) Bill to give regulators new powers to take tougher and faster action to crack down on water companies damaging the environment and failing their customers. I would also refer the hon. Member to the Written Statement made by the Secretary of State on 18 July, HCWS3. The majority of the Derbyshire catchment is currently classified as moderate water quality for ecological status. In May, the Environment Agency (EA) confirmed a tougher inspections and enforcement regime that will be backed by at least £55 million each year and will make better use of data analytics and technology. This will be fully funded through a combination of increased grant-in-aid from Defra to the EA and additional funding from water company permit charges.