Written questions by Darling.

Food and Rural Affairs, what plans she has to (a) continue and (b) expand data collection in the pollack fishery in the (i) commercial and (ii) recreational sectors.

The latest scientific advice from ICES indicates pollack remains vulnerable and recreational fishing accounts for a significant share of total removals. It is therefore important, and fair, that all fishers play their part in transitioning towards a sustainable fishery. The three‑fish recreational bag limit supports the long‑term recovery of the stock while continuing to allow recreational fishers to target and retain pollack. Defra continues to support the development of evidence. The recently re-launched Fisheries and Seafood Scheme, funded from the Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund, can support partnership projects between fishers and scientists, which could include long-term data collection and research on pollack fisheries. Cefas is also working with the recreational sector to strengthen participation and governance of the Sea Angling Diaries to improve the evidence base. Defra has no plans to provide financial compensation. Social and economic impacts are considered as part of the impact assessment process for the Statutory Instrument introducing the measure, including impacts across all affected parts of the sector.

Food and Rural Affairs, what plans she has to provide financial compensation to the recreational charter boat sector following the implementation of the three-fish recreational pollack bag limit.

The latest scientific advice from ICES indicates pollack remains vulnerable and recreational fishing accounts for a significant share of total removals. It is therefore important, and fair, that all fishers play their part in transitioning towards a sustainable fishery. The three‑fish recreational bag limit supports the long‑term recovery of the stock while continuing to allow recreational fishers to target and retain pollack. Defra continues to support the development of evidence. The recently re-launched Fisheries and Seafood Scheme, funded from the Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund, can support partnership projects between fishers and scientists, which could include long-term data collection and research on pollack fisheries. Cefas is also working with the recreational sector to strengthen participation and governance of the Sea Angling Diaries to improve the evidence base. Defra has no plans to provide financial compensation. Social and economic impacts are considered as part of the impact assessment process for the Statutory Instrument introducing the measure, including impacts across all affected parts of the sector.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether she plans to conduct a socio-economic impact assessment of the impact of the three-fish recreational pollack bag limit on the recreational charter boat sector.

The latest scientific advice from ICES indicates pollack remains vulnerable and recreational fishing accounts for a significant share of total removals. It is therefore important, and fair, that all fishers play their part in transitioning towards a sustainable fishery. The three‑fish recreational bag limit supports the long‑term recovery of the stock while continuing to allow recreational fishers to target and retain pollack. Defra continues to support the development of evidence. The recently re-launched Fisheries and Seafood Scheme, funded from the Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund, can support partnership projects between fishers and scientists, which could include long-term data collection and research on pollack fisheries. Cefas is also working with the recreational sector to strengthen participation and governance of the Sea Angling Diaries to improve the evidence base. Defra has no plans to provide financial compensation. Social and economic impacts are considered as part of the impact assessment process for the Statutory Instrument introducing the measure, including impacts across all affected parts of the sector.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of safeguards included in the Transition Plan for recreational water users, including those using waters outside designated bathing areas.

The Water Reform Transition Plan charts a clear path to the water system of the future, as set out in the recent water white paper. The transition plan will be accompanied by a new Strategic Policy Statement for Ofwat and ministerial direction for EA. These documents will set out what will change as we progress with reforms, the timeline and responsibilities. It will enable wide-ranging reforms to clean up our waters for recreational and non-recreational water users alike. The Bathing Water (Amendment) (England and Wales) Regulations 2025 will not feature in the Transition Plan, having recently been amended. In March 2025 the Government published its response to a consultation on amending the Bathing Water 2013 Regulations, noting the support for expanding the definition of a bather to include other recreational water users. Work has begun on an evidence review to consider the environmental and public health implications of any change.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether her department plans to establish the public health task force recommended by the Independent Water Commission prior to the introduction of the Water Reform Bill.

Through an upcoming Water Bill, we intend to progress an ambitious, coherent reset of the legislative framework. As we take this forward, we will work in partnership with the Department of Health and Social Care to ensure public health is considered broadly in our new water frameworks and regulations and to consider evidence gaps. Protecting and improving public health is a key consideration of the Government’s once-in-a-generation water reforms. A new Public Health Water Taskforce, led by the Chief Medical Officer for England, will be a key part of Government’s reforms to the water system. The Taskforce will provide independent and technical advice on public health risks from water and opportunities to improve treatment and protection.

Food and Rural Affairs, if her Department will make an assessment of the potential benefits of amending the Bathing Water regulations to include a wider range of recreational users.

In March 2025 the Government published its response to a consultation on amending the Bathing Water 2013 Regulations. In this, the Government noted the support for expanding the definition of a bather to include other recreational water users. Work has begun on an evidence review to consider the environmental and public health implications of any change.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether the Environment Agency has undertaken modelling of wastewater discharges from the Meadfoot sewage outfall in Torquay to assess the interaction of those discharges with tidal movements within the last five years.

The beach is monitored by the EA during the bathing season which runs from mid-May to September. The EA monitors the bathing water for bacteria. The results from Meadfoot Beach put it in the highest class for clean water quality: it is rated as excellent.The EA’s local Bathing Water data teams look at all data as they become available through the bathing season. Should they see any results that fall short of what is expected for that beach they will investigate the reasons and act on any findings. Polluting our waterways is unacceptable. We have published the Water White Paper, a new once-in-a-generation plan to overhaul the water system. It sets out clear powers for the new regulator, delivering tougher oversight and stronger accountability for water companies.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has considered a) regulating the cost of veterinary procedures, and b) requiring increased transparency around costs of veterinary procedures for pets.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) are finalising a market investigation into veterinary services for household pets. On 15 October, they released a Provisional Decision Report, which included proposed remedies such as increased transparency of veterinary fees, requiring vets to publish price lists, and a cap on the price of written veterinary prescriptions. The proposed remedies are subject to the CMA’s final report which is due to be released in the Spring. Defra welcomes the CMA’s market investigation into the veterinary sector and will consider any remedies from the CMA’s final report. Currently, businesses providing veterinary services are not regulated. Reforms to the Veterinary Surgeons Act (which are currently being consulted on) will bring in regulation of veterinary and other animal healthcare businesses and empower the regulator to ensure competition within the market.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment has he made of the adequacy of plastic recycling provision in supermarkets including where products are sold in packaging which needs to be recycled in-store.

Simpler Recycling came into force on 31 March 2025 requiring all workplaces in England with more than 10 full-time employees to separate their waste before collection, including any waste produced by employees, customers and visitors. This includes dry recyclable materials (i.e. plastic, metal, glass, paper and card) and, separately, food waste. Supermarkets are therefore required to comply and separately collect plastic as well as the other recyclable materials. Defra has not assessed the plastic recycling provision in supermarkets. Whilst supermarkets collect plastic film on their premises (e.g. plastic bags) this is not currently a requirement. However, additional waste streams that are not included in the Simpler Recycling legislation, may be collected in advance of 31 March 2027 when plastic film collections from all households and workplaces will also become mandatory.

Food and Rural Affairs, when his Department plans to publish the outcome of its consultation on the Bathing Water Regulations.

Defra, jointly with the Welsh Government, ran a consultation on a package of reforms to the Bathing Water Regulations 2013 that was open between November – December 2024. In March 2025 the Government published its response to this consultation, setting out the intention to implement three Core Reforms and several Technical Amendments to the Bathing Water Regulations 2013. A Statutory Instrument was then laid before Parliament on 28 October 2025, introducing the three core reforms and technical amendments into law. The majority of the Regulation came into force on the 21 of November 2025. Core Reform 2 will come into force on the 15 of May 2026.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of holding a summit to support the zoos and aquarium industry.

Defra is responsible for ensuring zoos and aquariums provide the highest levels of welfare for the animals they keep, as well as delivering conservation and education. The Government published new Standards of Modern Zoo Practice for Great Britain on 24 May 2025, which will come into force from May 2027. The new Standards support zoos and aquariums in ensuring animals in their collections are being kept in line with latest in best zoo practice. Following publication of the new Standards in May, the Animal Welfare Minister - Baroness Hayman of Ullock – held a zoos roundtable on 25 June, to discuss implementation of the new Standards, and what more Defra could do to help support zoos and aquariums adapt to the new Standards.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to protect the Torbay Marine Conservation Zone, in the context of climate change.

Torbay Marine Protected Area (MPA) was designated in 2013 to protect a range of features and species including native oysters, seagrass beds, and long – snouted seahorse. These features are protected through a mobile fishing gear permit byelaw that prohibits the use of demersal towed gears across designated features. Owing to the extension of the sea grass beds, an area that had previously been open to seasonal trawling was closed in February 2025. These measures will aid the recovery of sensitive features and allow the MPA to become more resilient to the effects of climate change. All MPAs are also protected from the point of designation by the planning and marine licensing regimes that cover activities such as dredging for aggregates and construction of offshore wind farms.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to help improve water quality.

The Government has secured a record £104 billion of private sector investment that will fund the rebuilding and repair of broken sewage pipes so we can cut sewage pollution into our waterways. We are also reforming agriculture to drastically reduce run-off into rivers. Together with our radical reform of water regulation and the regulator, this Government has all the building blocks in place to clean up our rivers, lakes and seas for good.

Food and Rural Affairs, how many FTE civil servants his Department has allocated to work on developing a single point of search for the microchip database for (a) dogs and (b) cats.

There are many civil servants across Defra that are responsible for multiple animal welfare policies, working flexibly according to business need. Civil Servants work across animal welfare, transforming farm animal health and welfare, wildlife and rural teams, with some responsibilities sitting across other teams.

Food and Rural Affairs, how many dogs are exempt under the XL bully exemption scheme.

As of 17 June 2025, 56,346 XL Bully dogs are registered with a Certificate of Exemption.

Food and Rural Affairs, how many full time equivalent civil servants are working on animal welfare policy.

There are many civil servants across Defra that are responsible for multiple animal welfare policies, working flexibly according to business need. Civil Servants work across animal welfare, transforming farm animal health and welfare, wildlife and rural teams, with some responsibilities sitting across other teams.

Food and Rural Affairs, how many FTE civil servants his Department has allocated to work on the exemption scheme for dogs initially classified as XL bullies.

There are many civil servants across Defra that are responsible for multiple animal welfare policies, working flexibly according to business need. Civil Servants work across animal welfare, transforming farm animal health and welfare, wildlife and rural teams, with some responsibilities sitting across other teams.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of rehoming banned breeds which have passed behavioural assessments.

In England and Wales, the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 prohibits the ownership of five types of dog; the Pit Bull terrier, the Dogo Argentino, the Fila Brasileiro, the Japanese Tosa, and the XL Bully. It is a criminal offence to sell, abandon, give away or breed any of these breed types. This is an important measure to protect public safety by reducing the number of these dogs in circulation over time.

Food and Rural Affairs, how much funding has been allocated to animal welfare in the Spending Review 2025.

This Government was elected on a mandate to introduce the most ambitious plans to improve animal welfare in a generation. The Prime Minister announced that we will be publishing an animal welfare strategy later this year. The allocations for projects and programmes will be set now following the Spending Review. This will build on the support already available through the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway, which includes access to testing for priority diseases and advice to continually improve the health, welfare and productivity of farmed animals through funded vet visits.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the dangerous dogs control scheme in Calgary, Canada.

The Government has reconvened the Responsible Dog Ownership Taskforce to explore measures to promote responsible dog ownership across all breeds of dog. As part of this work, the taskforce may look at international models of dog control. We look forward to receiving its findings and recommendations in due course.