Written questions by Perkins.

Food and Rural Affairs, how much funding has been allocated to help deliver the UK Overseas Territories Biodiversity Strategy.

Since 1 January 2024, the Darwin Plus programme had awarded nearly 130 projects of benefit to the UK Overseas Territories with a lifetime value of over £20 million across its four funding schemes. The full details of funded Darwin Plus projects can be found on the programme website at www.darwinplus.org.uk. Darwin Plus funding schemeNumber of projects awarded since 1 January 2024Lifetime value of projectsDarwin Plus Main24£9,942,990Darwin Plus Local94£4,002,814Darwin Plus Strategic2£5,564,500Darwin Plus People & Skills (previously named “Darwin Plus Fellowships”)8£602,180Total128£20,112,484 At the Joint Ministerial Council in November, the UK Government reaffirmed its joint ambition with the UK Overseas Territories to protect their ecosystems and address the climate and nature crises. The new UK Overseas Territories Biodiversity Strategy marks a new era of collaboration and communication between the UK and Territory governments, united for nature. Defra has now confirmed internal business planning allocations to its programmes leading to March 2029. The Darwin Plus programme’s plan for spending its allocation is currently progressing through Defra’s internal assurance processes before it is approved. This plan includes spending both for projects and to support the implementation of the UK Overseas Territories Biodiversity Strategy and reflects the reduction in the Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget as a result of the necessary increase in defence spending last year. Applications for Darwin Plus Local Round 6 are currently being reviewed internally and applicants will be kept informed of developments. No date has yet been confirmed for the next funding round of Darwin Plus. Defra will provide an update in due course, and information will be published on the Darwin Plus website once future rounds are scheduled to open.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the reduction in Overseas Development Assistance funding on the allocation of funding for Darwin Plus in 2026.

Since 1 January 2024, the Darwin Plus programme had awarded nearly 130 projects of benefit to the UK Overseas Territories with a lifetime value of over £20 million across its four funding schemes. The full details of funded Darwin Plus projects can be found on the programme website at www.darwinplus.org.uk. Darwin Plus funding schemeNumber of projects awarded since 1 January 2024Lifetime value of projectsDarwin Plus Main24£9,942,990Darwin Plus Local94£4,002,814Darwin Plus Strategic2£5,564,500Darwin Plus People & Skills (previously named “Darwin Plus Fellowships”)8£602,180Total128£20,112,484 At the Joint Ministerial Council in November, the UK Government reaffirmed its joint ambition with the UK Overseas Territories to protect their ecosystems and address the climate and nature crises. The new UK Overseas Territories Biodiversity Strategy marks a new era of collaboration and communication between the UK and Territory governments, united for nature. Defra has now confirmed internal business planning allocations to its programmes leading to March 2029. The Darwin Plus programme’s plan for spending its allocation is currently progressing through Defra’s internal assurance processes before it is approved. This plan includes spending both for projects and to support the implementation of the UK Overseas Territories Biodiversity Strategy and reflects the reduction in the Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget as a result of the necessary increase in defence spending last year. Applications for Darwin Plus Local Round 6 are currently being reviewed internally and applicants will be kept informed of developments. No date has yet been confirmed for the next funding round of Darwin Plus. Defra will provide an update in due course, and information will be published on the Darwin Plus website once future rounds are scheduled to open.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Government's document entitled Global biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and national security, published on 20 January 2026, which teams a) produced the key judgements listed on page 2, b) produced the assessments outlined on pages 9 and 10 and c) conducted the literature review and workshops mentioned on page 12.

The Government published the Nature Security Assessment on 20 January. It is a cross-government strategic analysis and was not produced by any single department. The assessment brings together expertise from teams across the Government, combining scientific evidence, policy analysis and national security judgment to inform long-term resilience and security planning. This assessment builds on existing cross-government work to strengthen understanding of how biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation can affect national and global stability. It forms part of routine cross-government resilience planning and complements the National Security Strategy, National Risk Register, and Chronic Risks Analysis.

Food and Rural Affairs, which Departments commissioned the Government's document entitled Global biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and national security, published on 20 January 2026.

The Government published the Nature Security Assessment on 20 January. It is a cross-government strategic analysis and was not produced by any single department. The assessment brings together expertise from teams across the Government, combining scientific evidence, policy analysis and national security judgment to inform long-term resilience and security planning. This assessment builds on existing cross-government work to strengthen understanding of how biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation can affect national and global stability. It forms part of routine cross-government resilience planning and complements the National Security Strategy, National Risk Register, and Chronic Risks Analysis.

Food and Rural Affairs, when applications will be open for the 2026 round of Darwin Plus Main and Darwin Plus Strategic funds.

Since 1 January 2024, the Darwin Plus programme had awarded nearly 130 projects of benefit to the UK Overseas Territories with a lifetime value of over £20 million across its four funding schemes. The full details of funded Darwin Plus projects can be found on the programme website at www.darwinplus.org.uk. Darwin Plus funding schemeNumber of projects awarded since 1 January 2024Lifetime value of projectsDarwin Plus Main24£9,942,990Darwin Plus Local94£4,002,814Darwin Plus Strategic2£5,564,500Darwin Plus People & Skills (previously named “Darwin Plus Fellowships”)8£602,180Total128£20,112,484 At the Joint Ministerial Council in November, the UK Government reaffirmed its joint ambition with the UK Overseas Territories to protect their ecosystems and address the climate and nature crises. The new UK Overseas Territories Biodiversity Strategy marks a new era of collaboration and communication between the UK and Territory governments, united for nature. Defra has now confirmed internal business planning allocations to its programmes leading to March 2029. The Darwin Plus programme’s plan for spending its allocation is currently progressing through Defra’s internal assurance processes before it is approved. This plan includes spending both for projects and to support the implementation of the UK Overseas Territories Biodiversity Strategy and reflects the reduction in the Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget as a result of the necessary increase in defence spending last year. Applications for Darwin Plus Local Round 6 are currently being reviewed internally and applicants will be kept informed of developments. No date has yet been confirmed for the next funding round of Darwin Plus. Defra will provide an update in due course, and information will be published on the Darwin Plus website once future rounds are scheduled to open.

Food and Rural Affairs, what the total budget for Darwin Plus dedicated to the UK Overseas Territories will be in 2026.

Since 1 January 2024, the Darwin Plus programme had awarded nearly 130 projects of benefit to the UK Overseas Territories with a lifetime value of over £20 million across its four funding schemes. The full details of funded Darwin Plus projects can be found on the programme website at www.darwinplus.org.uk. Darwin Plus funding schemeNumber of projects awarded since 1 January 2024Lifetime value of projectsDarwin Plus Main24£9,942,990Darwin Plus Local94£4,002,814Darwin Plus Strategic2£5,564,500Darwin Plus People & Skills (previously named “Darwin Plus Fellowships”)8£602,180Total128£20,112,484 At the Joint Ministerial Council in November, the UK Government reaffirmed its joint ambition with the UK Overseas Territories to protect their ecosystems and address the climate and nature crises. The new UK Overseas Territories Biodiversity Strategy marks a new era of collaboration and communication between the UK and Territory governments, united for nature. Defra has now confirmed internal business planning allocations to its programmes leading to March 2029. The Darwin Plus programme’s plan for spending its allocation is currently progressing through Defra’s internal assurance processes before it is approved. This plan includes spending both for projects and to support the implementation of the UK Overseas Territories Biodiversity Strategy and reflects the reduction in the Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget as a result of the necessary increase in defence spending last year. Applications for Darwin Plus Local Round 6 are currently being reviewed internally and applicants will be kept informed of developments. No date has yet been confirmed for the next funding round of Darwin Plus. Defra will provide an update in due course, and information will be published on the Darwin Plus website once future rounds are scheduled to open.

Food and Rural Affairs, what projects have been funded and for what amount since 1 January 2024 under a) the Darwin Plus Local, b) Darwin Plus Main and c) Darwin Plus Strategic funding schemes.

Since 1 January 2024, the Darwin Plus programme had awarded nearly 130 projects of benefit to the UK Overseas Territories with a lifetime value of over £20 million across its four funding schemes. The full details of funded Darwin Plus projects can be found on the programme website at www.darwinplus.org.uk. Darwin Plus funding schemeNumber of projects awarded since 1 January 2024Lifetime value of projectsDarwin Plus Main24£9,942,990Darwin Plus Local94£4,002,814Darwin Plus Strategic2£5,564,500Darwin Plus People & Skills (previously named “Darwin Plus Fellowships”)8£602,180Total128£20,112,484 At the Joint Ministerial Council in November, the UK Government reaffirmed its joint ambition with the UK Overseas Territories to protect their ecosystems and address the climate and nature crises. The new UK Overseas Territories Biodiversity Strategy marks a new era of collaboration and communication between the UK and Territory governments, united for nature. Defra has now confirmed internal business planning allocations to its programmes leading to March 2029. The Darwin Plus programme’s plan for spending its allocation is currently progressing through Defra’s internal assurance processes before it is approved. This plan includes spending both for projects and to support the implementation of the UK Overseas Territories Biodiversity Strategy and reflects the reduction in the Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget as a result of the necessary increase in defence spending last year. Applications for Darwin Plus Local Round 6 are currently being reviewed internally and applicants will be kept informed of developments. No date has yet been confirmed for the next funding round of Darwin Plus. Defra will provide an update in due course, and information will be published on the Darwin Plus website once future rounds are scheduled to open.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she plans to take to encourage industry to stop the practice of culling male laying hen chicks.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 21 January 2026 to the hon. Member for Mid Dorset and North Poole, PQ UIN 105878.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her polices of levels of (a) crimes committed and (b) prosecutions secured for offences under the Hunting Act 2004.

The department has made no such assessments.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the definition of hunting in the Hunting Act 2004.

The department has made no such assessment.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of banning the usage of non-compostable fresh produce stickers.

The Department has not considered the potential impact of non-compostable fresh produce stickers on the bio-waste industry and soil health and does not currently have plans to discourage or ban the use of these stickers. However, we remain committed to supporting sustainable packaging solutions and continue to monitor developments in this area.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of non-compostable fresh produce stickers on the bio-waste industry and soil health; and whether she plans to take steps to discourage the usage of non-compostable stickers.

The Department has not considered the potential impact of non-compostable fresh produce stickers on the bio-waste industry and soil health and does not currently have plans to discourage or ban the use of these stickers. However, we remain committed to supporting sustainable packaging solutions and continue to monitor developments in this area.

Food and Rural Affairs, how many non-compliance warning letters were issued in each year 2020-2025 to i) EU registered fishing vessels, ii) English registered fishing vessels over ten meters in length, and iii) English registered fishing vessels under ten meters in length.

The Marine Management Organisation’s approach to control and enforcement is risk-based and intelligence-led and are enforced in accordance with their published Compliance and Enforcement Strategy: Compliance and Enforcement Strategy - GOV.UK. The MMO does not publish a breakdown of non-compliance warning letters issued to English or EU-registered vessels. The MMO annual report, published on gov.uk, provides an overview of the number of regulatory enforcement actions that have been taken: Marine Management Organisation Annual Report and Account

Food and Rural Affairs, how many at-sea boarding inspections of (a) EU registered fishing vessels and (b) English registered fishing vessels took place in English waters outside of six nautical miles in each year between 2020 and 2025.

The Marine Management Organisation does not publish a breakdown of inspections, including in-port inspections of English and EU-registered fishing vessels and at-sea inspections outside of six nautical miles. The MMO annual report, published on gov.uk, does provide an overview of inspections carried out: Marine Management Organisation Annual Report and Accounts.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment has he made of the potential impact to non-quota stocks of fly-seine fishing vessel operations in the English Channel.

The number of fly-seine vessels operating in English waters including the Channel increased from 29 to 54 vessels between 2019 and 2024, while landings of non-quota stocks increased by some 50% between 2018 and 2023. Many non-quota stocks are data limited and have little management. It is for this reason Defra prioritised the development of Fisheries Management Plans for Non Quota stocks. In 2023 Defra published the Channel Demersal Non-Quota Stock Fisheries Management Plan to protect 19 vulnerable species and improve data collection. We also introduced precautionary measures including a minimum 100mm mesh size restriction for fly-seine vessels.

Food and Rural Affairs, how many at-landing inspections took place in English ports for (a) EU registered fishing vessels, (b) English registered fishing vessels over ten meters in length and (c) English registered fishing vessels under ten meters in length in each year between 2020 and 2025.

The Marine Management Organisation does not publish a breakdown of inspections, including in-port inspections of English and EU-registered fishing vessels and at-sea inspections outside of six nautical miles. The MMO annual report, published on gov.uk, does provide an overview of inspections carried out: Marine Management Organisation Annual Report and Accounts.

Food and Rural Affairs, how many fishing licenses has the Government issued to fly-seine fishing vessels registered in i) the EU and ii) England.

The Marine Management Organisation does not issue specific licences for fly-seining. The MMO issues a domestic fishing vessel licence which allows English registered vessels to fishing using various stipulated gear types. A list of registered and licensed vessels can be found on gov.uk: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/uk-vessel-lists. EU vessels are eligible to fish in UK waters under the Trade and Co-operation Agreement if they hold a UK Foreign Vessel licence. The EU notify the vessel details and proposed gear type. Currently, there are 56 EU vessels licensed to use fly-seines in UK waters. A list of EU vessels approved to fish in UK waters can be found on gov.uk: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/united-kingdom-single-issuing-authority-uksia#approved-eu-vessels.

Food and Rural Affairs, what were the top ten by gross tonnage non-quota species caught by EU registered fishing vessels in each year 2020-2025.

Although a breakdown of non-quota catches by species caught by EU vessels in UK waters is not published, cumulative catches are published as per Article 507 of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement. These are published on gov.uk as part of the Specialised Committee on Fisheries: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/specialised-committee-on-fisheriesData. Data on the firsthand sale value of fish caught in English waters by EU-registered vessels is not published.

Food and Rural Affairs, how much fishing effort, calculated in kilowatt days, has been conducted by fly-seine fishing vessels in the English Channel in each year 2015-2025.

Although UK and non-UK commercial fishing vessels are required to report catches in UK waters, they are not required to report whether those catches occurred in English waters or waters between six and twelve nautical miles. As such, this data is not collected. Catch statistics are regularly published by the MMO on gov.uk: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/quota-use-statistics

Food and Rural Affairs, how many tonnes of fish have been caught in English waters between six and twelve nautical miles in each year 2015-2025.

Although UK and non-UK commercial fishing vessels are required to report catches in UK waters, they are not required to report whether those catches occurred in English waters or waters between six and twelve nautical miles. As such, this data is not collected. Catch statistics are regularly published by the MMO on gov.uk: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/quota-use-statistics