Every parliamentary written question tabled by Steve Darling this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 1–20 of 76 · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the feasibility of introducing a digital passport system for assistance dogs; and what consideration has been given to the development of digitalised passports for assistance dogs.
Awaiting answer.
Food and Rural Affairs, what her timetable is for the introduction of measures to simplify the movement of assistance dogs between the United Kingdom and the European Union.
Awaiting answer.
Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to help facilitate the movement of assistance dogs accompanying their owners travelling from the UK to the EU.
Awaiting answer.
Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the enforcement action against the use of European pet passports on assistance dog users.
Awaiting answer.
Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions she has had with key stakeholders on negotiating an exemption from Animal Health Certificate requirements for assistance dogs travelling between the UK and the European Union.
Awaiting answer.
Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential implications for its policies of Battersea’s new Cost of Cute campaign.
Awaiting answer.
Food and Rural Affairs, what consideration has she given to launching an independent review into the pig industry, to determine whether piglet thumping continues to be practised.
Awaiting answer.
Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to her Department's policy paper entitled Animal Welfare Strategy for England, published on 22 December 2025, what her Department's planned timetable is for launching th
This Government is committed to ending puppy farming and the low welfare breeding of dogs. As part of the Animal Welfare Strategy, this Government has committed to launch a consultation on dog breeding reform. Next steps will be announced in due course.
Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to her Department's policy paper entitled Animal Welfare Strategy for England, published on 22 December 2025, what her Department's planned timetable is for conducting a
In the Animal Welfare Strategy, we have committed to improve our understanding of the size, scale and current management practices related to cat breeding, drawing on expertise from the sector, and consider any further steps which may improve welfare prac...
Food and Rural Affairs, if she will take legislative steps to prohibit leaving children under the age of 12 unsupervised with dogs of any breed.
From 1 November, it will be an offence to leave a child under the age of 12 in close proximity with a banned breed dog, in a home or garden without adult supervision. This measure is intended to strengthen safeguards for children, where evidence indicates...
Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate her Department has made of the cost of re-issuing exemption certificates.
A one-off cost to Government is expected, estimated to be between approximately £66,000 and £80,000. This includes staff time and the cost of issuing physical certificates, responding to related correspondence and printing and postage costs. There will be...
Food and Rural Affairs, how the prohibition on children being left unsupervised with banned breeds will be enforced; and what will the consequences of enforcement.
Enforcement of the Dangerous Dogs Act is a matter for the police, who have existing powers to take action where necessary. If non-compliance with the condition is identified, they can take enforcement action in line with those powers. This could include s...
Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of mandatory third-party liability insurance for all dog owners.
Defra recognises the importance of public safety and responsible dog ownership. The provision of insurance is a commercial decision for insurers and there is currently very limited coverage available for certain types of dogs. This Government does not cur...
Food and Rural Affairs, what the evidence base was for requiring third-party liability insurance for banned breeds; and what assessment she has made of the potential impact of removing the requirement.
From 1 July 2026 it will no longer be a requirement for banned breed dogs to have third party public liability insurance. Insurance formed part of the safeguards attached to Certificates of Exemption, providing financial protection for dog owners in the e...
Food and Rural Affairs, whether she plans to mandate remote electronic monitoring on fishing boats in UK waters.
Defra is committed to expanding the use of remote electronic monitoring in English waters. We are taking a targeted approach and have said that we will implement remote electronic monitoring in priority fisheries, working first with volunteers before movi...
Food and Rural Affairs, if she will take legislative steps before the school summer holidays 2026 to increase protections for children against dangerous dogs.
From 1 November 2026, it will be an offence to leave a child under the age of 12 in close proximity with a banned breed dog, in a home or garden without adult supervision. This measure is intended to strengthen safeguards for children, where evidence indi...
Food and Rural Affairs, whether she plans to publish Bycatch Action Plans for seabirds, cetaceans, seals, elasmobranches and protected fish species.
Defra are developing a Seabird Bycatch Action Plan for England in collaboration with stakeholders including the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, the fishing industry and academic researchers. The plan will set out steps to address seabird bycatc...
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 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, 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.