Every parliamentary written question tabled by Siân Berry this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 1–20 of 22 · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to monitor inconsistencies between local authorities in the recycling of plant pots (excluding black plant pots), following the introduction of legislation for simpler recycling; and what steps his Department is taking to ensure compliance with the requirement to collect these items.
Awaiting answer.
Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 21 January 2026 to Written Question UIN 106814, whether a response has been received from Southern Water.
Polluting our waterways is unacceptable. It is only right that Southern Water has taken responsibility for the appalling pollution incident on the south coast in November, and I have been clear that the sector as a whole must step up and do better for our people, and for the environment. The Environment Agency’s investigation into the pollution incident is ongoing and we expect conclusions in the coming weeks. The Government is taking decisive action to clean up our rivers, lakes and seas.
Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she had made of the potential impact of bottom trawling on meeting the target in the UN Global Biodiversity Framework of conserving 30% of earth’s seas by 2030.
The 30by30 target, Target 3 of the Convention on Biological Diversity Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, is a global target to effectively protect 30% of the global ocean and of land by 2030. Just over 9.8% of the global ocean is now protected. Achieving this global 30by30 target will require an international effort, from all countries and sectors and the UK is leading the way. In England, we have a comprehensive network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) covering 40% of our waters, and we are focusing on making sure they are properly protected. Marine regulators make evidence-based, site-by-site assessments of the fishing activities that could prevent MPAs from achieving their conservation objectives and put in place the necessary management measures. Nearly 60% of MPAs already have byelaws in place to protect them from damaging fishing activity and the Marine Management Organisation consulted last year on proposals to prohibit bottom trawling over sensitive seabed habitats in a further 41 MPAs. It is currently analysing the large number of responses received and decisions will be made in due course.
Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has had recent discussions with Southern Water on (a) the significant pollution incident on the south coast of England in October 2025 and (b) the steps it is taking to ensure that its infrastructure is functioning correctly.
The Secretary of State and I are in close contact with the Environment Agency, which is now conducting an active investigation into the incident. Southern Water will be subject to a PACE interview; a formal, legally regulated interview under the Police and Criminal Evidence (PACE) Act 1984. The Environment Agency has also conducted detailed inspections of the Eastbourne wastewater treatment works and is overseeing the improvement works being carried out by Southern Water. I have written to Water Companies to further emphasise the need for the sector to ensure that these sorts of incidents do not occur, to reiterate how unacceptable the pollution incident at Camber Sands is, and to stress the positive action Water Companies must take to ensure their infrastructure is functioning correctly. Water companies should take all necessary precautions to ensure all equipment is properly constructed and maintained to prevent the unauthorised or accidental escape of bio-beads from wastewater treatment works into the environment. The Government is looking into developing new standards for infrastructure resilience which, coupled with robust water company planning through Drainage and Wastewater Management Plans and the new statutory Pollution Incident Reduction Plans, will drive investment to improve wastewater assets and reduce pollution into our environment.
Food and Rural Affairs, what plans her Department has to (a) contain, (b) clean up and (c) remediate radioactivity in the (i) air and (ii) sea as a result of (A) potential incidents and (B) accidents involving vessels transporting radioactive cargos through the English Channel.
Defra is the lead Government department for remediating releases of radiological and nuclear materials in England. Containment of the source may be possible but would depend on a wide range of factors. If radioactive contamination from the air or sea was transferred to the built environment, for example deposited on a building, or was deposited on land, for example beaches, then Defra would consider recovery options. This would involve a risk-based approach using existing contingency plans to consider environmental risks.
Food and Rural Affairs, what plans her Department has to (a) recover and (b) salvage any consignment of radioactive material in the event of the sinking of a vessel carrying radioactive cargo.
Defra are the lead government department in England for the recovery from malicious and civil radiological and nuclear incidents. The preparations and response to these incidents is led by the Home Office and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero respectively. If a civil vessel carrying a cargo of radioactive or nuclear material sunk in waters controlled by the UK, Defra would consider recovery options. This would involve a risk-based approach using existing contingency plans to consider environmental risks and salvage practicalities. This would include the Flag State of the vessel and owner of the material, who each have legal responsibilities. If the sunken vessel was owned by the UK military or an ally, recovery and salvage operations would be led by the Ministry of Defence.
Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 17 February 2025 to Question 29795 on Moorland and Peatlands: Controlled Burning, whether she expects the new Heather and Grass Management Code to be implemented before the start of the heather burning season on 1 October 2025.
The Heather and Grass Management Code was published on 30th September 2025. The link can be found here: Heather and Grass Management Code - GOV.UK
Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department has made a recent assessment of the potential merits of increasing the powers of local authorities to (a) monitor and (b) take steps to help tackle (i) air pollution and (ii) health issues caused by heather burning for grouse shooting during the burning season.
Local authorities are responsible for monitoring and assessing air quality within their areas and have powers to act when exceedances of air quality objectives are identified. As a result of the recent amendments to the Heather and Grass etc. Burning (England) Regulations 2021, any burning on peat deeper than 30cm in Less Favoured Areas is prohibited except under licence. The promotion of alternative land management methods, in place of unnecessary burning will reduce the harmful smoke emissions that impact our communities.
Food and Rural Affairs, how many air pollution alerts were issued between March 2024 and March 2025 by his Department's UK-AIR alerts when thresholds within Air Quality Standards Regulations (2010) were exceeded; on which dates; and how many unique visitors accessed the Daily Air Quality Index forecast webpage during that period.
Air pollution alerts are issued when thresholds within the Air Quality Standards Regulations (2010) for Ozone, Sulphur Dioxide or Nitrogen Dioxide are exceeded. The last time one of these alerts was issued was September 2023. ~ 2000 unique visitors accessed the DAQI during that alert. Visitors to UK Air can also sign up to receive email bulletins providing a summary of the last hour or 24 hour’s air quality measurement data; daily updated forecasts of UK air pollution concentrations and notifications if the Alert Threshold in an Air Quality Daughter Directive is exceeded.
Food and Rural Affairs, if he will include PM2.5 in the UK Air quality alerts.
PM2.5 is one of the pollutants already included in the Daily Air Quality Index (DAQI). The department is currently in the process of making improvements to our air quality alert system to more closely align to the DAQI
Food and Rural Affairs, how many people in the UK have signed up to receive air pollution alerts from UK-AIR; and what mechanisms he is using to monitor the effectiveness of the air quality alert system at (a) reaching the intended audience and (b) meeting its other goals.
450 people are currently signed up to receive air pollution alerts from UK Air. Metrics to monitor the effectiveness of the new system are being considered as part of the design process.
Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure that people who do not (a) sign up to receive alerts and (b) actively check the UK-AIR website are alerted to high air pollution events.
The department has begun work to develop, test and launch a new air quality alert system which will make it easier for the public to sign up to receive alerts when high levels of pollution are expected.
Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 26 March 2025 to Question 39813 on Air Pollution, whether the discussions his Department is having with the Met Office on areas for improvement includes the Air Quality Information Systems Review recommendation to review, update and expand the existing alert systems.
The department is engaging with the Met Office to deliver improvements to the pollution forecasts and alerts service.
Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the (a) powers and (b) funding available to local authorities to enforce smoke control areas.
Defra continues to support local authorities who have declared or are exploring declaring smoke control areas.
Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to monitor the effective implementation of Government consultation principles on the needs of people affected by air pollution.
Defra seeks to align its consultations with the Cabinet Office consultations principles, published in 2018, to ensure our consultations are accessible to a wide variety of stakeholders and gather the best possible information to assist with policy development.
Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 24 October 2024 to Question 10174 on Pesticides, when he plans to publish the National Action Plan on the Sustainable Use of Pesticides.
We intend to publish a Pesticides National Action Plan this year.
Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to answer Question 23103 on Air Pollution, published on 9 January 2025.
The next review of our statutory Air Quality Strategy is due to be completed by mid-2028. We intend to bring forward that date whilst ensuring we have time to work closely with stakeholders to co-design the new strategy.
Food and Rural Affairs, when he will publish the (a) interim and (b) final report from the Air Quality Information System Review.
The Air Quality Information System Review has now concluded. The final report and accompanying reports will be published shortly.
Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to his Department's press release entitled, Government launches rapid review to meet Environment Act targets, published on 30 July 2024, whether the rapid review of the Environment Improvement Plan was completed by the end of 2024; and what his planned timetable is to publish the new statutory plan.
The Government has concluded the review of Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP) which is informing the development of a revised EIP. The Government will publish a statement of rapid review key findings in early 2025, to be followed by publication of a revised EIP.
Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 15 October 2024 to Question 7788 on Air Pollution, if his Department will take steps to amend clean air targets to bring the UK in line with the European Union's Ambient Air Quality Directive.
The Government is committed to cleaning up our air and protecting the public from the harm of pollution. We recognise the importance of ambitious yet achievable air quality targets, supported by robust delivery plans, which is why the Government has launched a rapid review of the Environmental Improvement Plan to revise our plan for significantly improving the environment including for air quality.