Written questions by Munt.

Further to the response to Question UIN 123625 of the 13th April 2026, (a) which businesses from the aluminium industry have shared information with his department regarding the challenges faced by the aluminium trade and (b) what steps his department is taking to protect the UK’s Critical Minerals Strategy, in particular through safeguarding the domestic recycling of aluminium.

The Department continues to engage closely with businesses and representative bodies across the aluminium sector, which provide insight into the challenges facing the industry. As is standard practice, we do not publish details of individual companies involved.The UK Critical Minerals Strategy focuses on strengthening domestic capability and resilient supply chains for key materials, including aluminium. The Government recognises the importance of domestic recycling of aluminium and will consider industry recommendations for government action through the newly formed Metals Circularity Group.

Food and Rural Affairs, how many aluminium cans were exported from the UK for recycling via the Packaging Export Recovery Note system in each year from 2023 to 2025.

In 2023 there were 109,638 tonnes of waste packaging aluminium reported to the Environment Agency as being exported from England via the Packaging Export Recovery Note system. In 2024 there were 105,821 tonnes reported, in 2025 there were 103,888 tonnes reported. This total includes waste packaging aluminium, as opposed to just aluminium cans, as figures are recorded by material rather than packaging types.

Food and Rural Affairs, how many felling licences Forestry Commission England has granted for clearfelling operations within a) ancient semi-natural woodlands and b) plantation on ancient woodland sites in each of the last 5 years.

Awaiting answer.

Food and Rural Affairs, how many felling licences Forestry Commission England has granted on a) ancient semi-natural woodland sites and b) plantation on ancient woodland sites in each of the last 5 years.

Awaiting answer.

Food and Rural Affairs, how many Annex VII documents relating to consignments of end-of-life tyres were submitted to the Environment Agency’s enhanced verification procedure between 2nd February 2026 and 2nd March 2026.

Between 2 February 2026 and 2 March 2026 the Environment Agency received 1301 Annex VII pre-shipment submissions relating to the export of waste tyres/rubber to India.

Food and Rural Affairs, further to her response of 12th February 2026 to question UIN 113530, how many of the 16 receiving sites that had failed to provide post-shipment Annex VII information have subsequently provided information on some consignments.

The Environment Agency (EA) is working through a significant submission of data from exporters and will be able to confirm the position by 2 April 2026. Thus far, the EA is not aware of any additional information relating to any of the 16 sites.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to her response of 25 February 2026 to question UIN 113530, what assessment she has made of the reasons that issues with Indian Customs and transport have disproportionately affected 16 of the 50 approved sites for receiving end-of-life tyres.

The Environment Agency (EA) is thoroughly reviewing why there is post-shipment information outstanding beyond the eight-week deadline from 16 of the 50 approved sites. Their assessment of information from overseas partners, operators and the World Customs Organization suggest that, while an eight‑week timeframe is sometimes achievable, it does not reflect current global logistics timelines. The EA’s is satisfied that extending the deadline from eight to sixteen weeks is reasonable based on the available data. This is because it continues to strengthen traceability and compliance, and provides better protection for legitimate operators, without undermining its work to ensure that waste tyres are managed appropriately.

Food and Rural Affairs, further to her response to Question UIN 106503 on 22nd January 2026, whether the regulations to remove the T8 exemption for the treatment of waste tyres have now been drafted and if she will provide an update on her timetable for laying those regulations.

Work continues on the drafting of the legislation which covers the whole package of waste exemption reforms, including the removal of the T8 exemption, and the timing remains subject to Parliamentary time. When the Regulations come into force the published transition periods will begin. For the T8 exemption this is 3 months.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to her answer of 12th February 2026 to Question UIN 111664, how many of the 3,281 documents for which an Annex VII was submitted between 28th October 2025 and 2nd February 2026 have (a) have now passed the revised sixteen week deadline and (b) of that number how many have not supplied sufficient geo-tagged photographic information within 16 weeks.

Following a reconciliation process, the Environment Agency confirms that 3,277 Annex VII forms were submitted at least 3 days prior to shipment between 28 October 2025 and 2 February 2026. This minor amendment results from shipments being initially reported which were out of scope. Of the 3,277 shipments, 1,398 exceeded the 16-week deadline (30 March 2026) to provide post-shipment information.Of these 1398 shipments, the Environment Agency has: received 820 post-shipment Annex VII forms that consist of: 287 complete post-shipment Annex VII forms with geotagged evidence demonstrating the shipment arrived at the intended recovery facility in India533 post-shipment Annex VII forms that are considered non-compliant to varying extents because of missing, incomplete or incorrect information including issues with geotagging. The Environment Agency has followed up on each of these with further compliance and enforcement activity followed up on all of the 548 shipments that still have information pending after the 16-week deadline. This can include serving prohibition notice, issuing a warning or requesting further information.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 12 February 2026 to Question 111664, how many individual receiving sites have failed to supply the required post-shipment Annex VII information.

Of the 50 approved receiving sites, the Environment Agency (EA) has post shipment information outstanding beyond the eight-week deadline from 16 sites. Exporters have informed the EA that shipments are not arriving at the intended destination within eight weeks' notice period which is why the post-shipment information is delayed. Delays at Indian Customs, container handling sites and onwards transport have been cited as reasons. The EA is now considering extending this time period to ensure it is achievable. It is the responsibility of the exporter rather than the receiving site to provide the required information to the Environment Agency. The EA has issued 14 warnings on exporters who have failed to provide the required information

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Answer of 12 February 2026 to Question 111664, how many exporters or brokers who have failed to provide the required post-shipment Annex VII information have been suspended from making further shipments or issued with stop notices to prevent the risk of further non-compliant exports.

The Environment Agency (EA) is yet to suspend or issue a prohibition (stop) notice on any exporters or brokers who have failed to provide post shipment information. It has issued 14 warnings on exporters who have failed to provide the required information and is closely monitoring the returns. The EA is assessing the feasibility of responding within 8-weeks as evidence from exporters is highlighting delays beyond their control.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Answer of 12 February to Question 111664, how many individual receiving sites that have failed to supply the post-shipment Annex VII information required have been suspended from receiving future consignments.

The Environment Agency (EA) is yet to remove sites from its acknowledged list to prevent them from receiving future consignments. At this point there is no evidence to show that any receiving sites are deliberately not supplying the information needed to exporter which would be grounds for their removal. The Waste Shipment Regulations put legal duties on the exporter. The EA will therefore focus its regulatory efforts on the exporter rather than the receiving site.

Food and Rural Affairs, further to her answer to Question 106499 of 22 January 2026, how many of the 1,891 consignments for which an Annex VII was submitted (a) have passed the eight-week deadline and (b) are now overdue on their completion of proof of destination.

Of the 1,891 pre-shipment Annex VII forms referenced, 1,370 were not returned with the arrival information within the eight-week deadline. Exporters have reported delays arising from customs processes, onward collection from ports and transport issues following arrival in India. The Environment Agency is actively pursuing the remaining returns of the outstanding Annex VII and those who are non-compliant. Further actions may include prohibiting further shipments and/or enforcement.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Answer of 4 February 2026 to Question 109797, how many of the 3, 442 documents for which an Annex VII was submitted between 28 October 2025 and 2 February 2026 (a) have now passed the eight week deadline and (b) of that number, how many have not supplied sufficient geo-tagged photographic information proving arrival at their intended destination.

Of the 3442 annex VII documents referenced (now revised to 3281 following further data assurance) 1,891 have reached the eight-week deadline. Annex VII forms submitted after the 15 December 2025 are not yet due. Of these 1891, 1,370 have not been returned with the post-shipment information required, including geotagged photographs. 521 Annex VII forms were returned. 458 met the requirements, including geotagged photos, 63 did not. The Environment Agency (EA) is actively pursuing the remaining returns of the outstanding Annex VII and those who are non-compliant. Further actions may include prohibiting further shipments and/or enforcement. The EA is continuing to assure the data that is received so there may be further amendments in the final figures.

Food and Rural Affairs, what information her Department holds on which countries critical mineral waste and scrap are exported under licence for recycling.

Defra does not maintain a list of businesses that export waste from the UK. Any exporter that is not the original waste producer must be registered as a waste broker or dealer. Details of registered brokers and dealers in England can be found on the public register, available at: https://environment.data.gov.uk/public-register/view/search-waste-carriers-brokers Information on the destination of waste exported from the UK is publicly available here: https://www.uktradeinfo.com/

Food and Rural Affairs, if she will publish a list of companies that have a licence to export critical mineral waste and scrap for recycling abroad.

Defra does not maintain a list of businesses that export waste from the UK. Any exporter that is not the original waste producer must be registered as a waste broker or dealer. Details of registered brokers and dealers in England can be found on the public register, available at: https://environment.data.gov.uk/public-register/view/search-waste-carriers-brokers Information on the destination of waste exported from the UK is publicly available here: https://www.uktradeinfo.com/

Food and Rural Affairs, whether she plans to remove end-of-life tyres from the green list waste category under the Waste Shipment Regulations.

The export of waste tyres is subject to controls set out in existing UK legislation. The Environment Agency (EA) has recently completed a review into its approach for regulating the export of waste tyres. As a result of this, the EA has launched enhanced verification checks for all waste tyres exported to India to ensure they are handled in an environmentally sound manner. The EA intends to publish a further update on their work, including further information relating to the enhanced verification checks, in early 2026. Defra officials will continue to keep the situation under review.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 22 January 2026 to Question 106499 on Tyres: Waste Disposal, how many Annex VII documents were submitted late for which the latest data is available.

The Environment Agency has received a total of 3,442 annex VII documents between 28 October to 2 February 2026 relating to the movement of waste tyres from England. 241 of these were considered late as they were received less than the required 3 days before the waste movement. The Environment Agency is now undertaking follow up activities and considering the use of stop notices for non-compliant companies.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether she plans to extend the enhanced verification procedure for the export of end-of-life tyres beyond April 2026.

The Environment Agency will publish further information on the enhanced verification checks in Spring 2026.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 22 January 2026 to Question 106499 on Tyres: Waste Disposal, how many of the 1,891 applications for an Annex VII document originated from exporters or businesses operating under a T8 exemption.

Of the 1,891 Annex VII documents received by the Environment Agency regarding the export of waste tyres between 28 October and 15 December 2025, 605 are from sites that have a T8 exemption.