The Westminster lensArchive · Written questions · 64 tabled · 61 answered

Written questions by Vaz.

Every parliamentary written question tabled by Valerie Vaz this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.

Department:All (64)Department for Education (27)Home Office (9)Department for Business and Trade (5)Department of Health and Social Care (5)Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (4)Attorney General (3)Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (2)Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (2)Department for Culture, Media and Sport (2)Treasury (2)Cabinet Office (1)Ministry of Defence (1)

Showing 14 of 4 · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

22 Apr 2025·Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs·Answered
Asked

Food and Rural Affairs, what Rural Payments Schemes are available to (a) farmers and (b) rural businesses in the next financial year; and how much has been paid out under those schemes in this financial year.

Reply

Defra operates a page on gov.uk, “Funding for farmers, growers and land managers” ( https://www.gov.uk/guidance/funding-for-farmers ). This page advises about grants and other funding currently open or opening soon and includes links to the relevant scheme or grant webpage. The farming blog published on Wednesday 12th March set out Defra’s spend for 24/25 and 25/26 split across the Farming and Countryside Programme schemes. Defra manages the farming budget flexibly to respond to demand, and achieve our intended outcomes for farm productivity, environment, climate and animal health and welfare. In line with its obligations under the Agriculture Act 2020, Defra regularly publishes an annual report, setting out commitments in the previous financial year. Separately, the Rural England Prosperity Fund funds capital projects for small businesses and community infrastructure in rural areas. The REPF provided £110 million of funding to eligible local authorities between 2023 and 2025. Additional funding of up to £33 million will be available in 2025/26.

12 Nov 2024·Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs·Answered
Asked

Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions his Department has had with the horticultural industry on the potential impact of EU-UK border processes on biosecurity.

Reply

Defra continues to monitor and review the impact of the controls. We are working closely with industry, trade partners and enforcement agencies to minimise disruption and costs to trade, while continuing to protect our biosecurity. Defra engages with the ...

12 Nov 2024·Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs·Answered
Asked

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the horticultural industry on changes to phytosanitary certificates.

Reply

Defra engages with GB businesses well in advance of any such changes, through the Plant Health Portal and Plant Health Advisory Forum Any changes to the required content of phytosanitary certificates are communicated to third country trading partners via...

12 Nov 2024·Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs·Answered
Asked

Food and Rural Affairs, how many inspectors work for the Animal and Plant Health Agency; and if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the number of inspectors for protecting the UK's biosecurity.

Reply

Below is the number of inspectors the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has in post at Executive Officer (EO) and Higher Executive Officer (HEO) grade, along with the number of Senior Executive Officers (SEO) who also support delivery. APHA also has a...

Sources
SourceUK Parliament Members API
MethodQuestion and answer text as published. Question preamble (“To ask the…”) trimmed for readability; answers shown in full.