Written questions by Vaz.

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.

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.

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.

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 horticultural industry through the Plant Health Portal and Plant Health Advisory Forum.

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.

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 apprentice plant health inspectors. The numbers are subject to change as APHA has several vacancies which it is recruiting to fill, and has potential new starters who are going through the security checks and onboarding process. They are not included in the figures until they have started working for APHA. InlandApprentice18EO105Contractor3HEO102SEO12ImportsApprentice20EO71Contractor10HEO32SEO5 Total - 378 GB plant health services have increased the number of plant health inspection staff to service the demand for import checks in England and Wales of EU plants and plant products. Inspector levels are being monitored to ensure these meet demand and deliver checks in line with set Service Level Agreements and ensure minimal trade disruption. Border Control Posts (BCPs) are designed to handle high volumes of imported sanitary and phytosanitary goods with inspectors working shifts to carry out reliable checks which minimise friction on traffic flow. Checks at BCPs are handled by trained staff ensuring inspections are undertaken safely and efficiently.

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

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 World Trade Organisation notifications and through letters directly to third country competent authorities. Such notifications are sent months in advance to ensure that third countries have time to comment on, and adapt to, the changes. The exception to this is during emergency situations, when the high level of biosecurity risk means new requirements are implemented more rapidly.