Written questions by Forster.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his department has made of the potential impact on repeated disposal of antimicrobial toilet additives from motorhomes and caravans into campsite septic tanks.

Sewage discharges are regulated by the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016. These Regulations allow lower risk discharges to operate under statutory General Binding Rules, but any discharge which cannot comply with those rules can only be made in accordance with an Environmental Permit issued by the Environment Agency. When a permit application is processed, the potential risks to the receiving environment are considered and conditions to protect the environment are applied to any permit that is issued. If the disposal of toilet waste containing additives compromises the treatment provided by a campsite septic tank then the discharge may cause pollution, and the operator of the septic tank could be subject to enforcement action by the Environment Agency.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of whether the Government is on track to meet its international commitments under the Global Biodiversity Framework.

The Government will submit the UK Seventh National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity by the deadline of 28 February 2026, setting out our progress towards implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department plans to take steps to (a) encourage the acquisition of dogs through (i) reputable rehoming organisations and (ii) breeders and (b) otherwise promote responsible dog ownership.

The Government encourages people to adopt from responsible rescue and rehoming organisations. Members of the public can check if the rescue centre they use is a member of the Association of Dogs and Cats Homes, which has set clear standards for animal assessments, neutering and rehoming procedures for their members. The Government also encourages prospective owners who choose to buy a dog to do so through reputable breeders. Under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018, anyone breeding and selling dogs as a business or who breeds three or more litters in a 12-month period must hold a valid licence from their local authority and meet strict welfare standards. The Government has reconvened the Responsible Dog Ownership taskforce to explore measures to promote responsible dog ownership across all breeds of dog. We look forward to receiving the findings and recommendations from the taskforce in due course.

Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of improving (a) traceability and (b) transparency in dog breeding through strengthened (i) regulation and (ii) microchipping requirements.

Defra completed a Post-Implementation Review of the Licensing of Activities Involving Animals Regulations 2018, which regulate dog breeding. The Government is considering the findings and will be outlining more detail on next steps in due course. Compulsory dog microchipping was introduced in England in 2016. All dogs over 8 weeks must be microchipped and relevant information including breeder details recorded with a Defra-compliant database operator, which helps support traceability.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department plans to bring forward legislative proposals to regulate animal (a) rescues and (b) sanctuaries.

Rescue and rehoming establishments in England must provide for the five basic welfare needs of the animals set out in the Animal Welfare Act 2006. Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, it is an offence to cause any animal unnecessary suffering or to fail to provide for its welfare. Anyone who is cruel to an animal, or does not provide for its welfare, may be banned from owning animals. They may also face an unlimited fine, be sent to prison, or both. We are considering whether there is a need for further regulation of this sector as part of our development of an overarching approach to animal welfare. The Prime Minister has committed to publish an Animal Welfare Strategy later this year.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether the Environment Agency (a) plans to issue and (b) has already issued a drought permit to Thames Water.

Water companies have a statutory duty to produce a drought plan outlining actions the company will take to maintain water supplies during dry weather and drought. Such actions include applying for drought permits. Only water companies can apply to the Environment Agency (EA) for a drought permit. Drought permits allow water companies to either:Take water from any source specifiedModify or suspend conditions on an abstraction or impoundment licence held by the water company Thames Water is following its drought plan, and this contains details of drought permits and when the company may apply to the Environment Agency. The decision to apply for a drought permit, is the responsibility of the water company. As of 1 September 2025, Thames Water has not applied to the EA for a drought permit.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to support water security.

We are pushing ahead with reform under our Plan for Change, which includes £104 billion of water investment, cutting leaks by nearly 20% and building nine reservoirs Working with the National Drought Group, the Government is stepping up the response to the dry weather, ensuring companies follow their drought plans and supplies remain secure.

Food and Rural Affairs, if his Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of requiring supermarkets to include labelling in braille on newly designed packaging.

Defra maintains regular engagement with food retailers on a range of issues, including labelling and improving accessibility requirements for all consumers. The availability and accessibility of essential food information to all consumers is vitally important. It is already a requirement that food information must be easily visible, clearly legible and where appropriate indelible, in addition to there being a required minimum font size for mandatory information. We are aware of moves by some retailers to provide information on food in braille format, and the government is interested in seeing how this works. We know there are other exciting possibilities, including the use of mobile phone apps and QR codes via which consumers with visual impairments may be able to access not only the basics, but the full range of information available on the label. Braille labelling has not been a specific focus to date. We continue to explore how food information can be made more accessible, including through wider conversations with industry and stakeholders representing consumers with disabilities, such as the Royal National Institute for Blind (RNIB).

Food and Rural Affairs, how many sewage discharges there have been into the (a) River Bourne, (b) River Wey and (c) Hoe Stream in the last five years.

The Environment Agency (EA) has reviewed its records of sewage related pollution incidents in the Woking constituency in the last five years. This shows the Addlestone Bourne has had two incidents, the River Wey/Navigation has had one incident, and the Hoe Stream has had three incidents.The EA continues to respond and investigate any significant pollution incidents.The EA is currently transforming its regulatory approach including developing a larger specialised workforce and delivering a step change in inspections of Thames Water's permitted sites and associated enforcement.

Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions his Department has had with (a) water companies and (b) local authorities on building new reservoirs to ensure water security.

Ministers and officials have regular discussions with a range of stakeholders, including water companies and local authorities, on many issues related to the water sector. Water companies have a statutory duty to provide a secure supply of water for customers set out in their Water Resource Management Plans (WRMPs). These plans are statutory and will set out how each company will continue to meet this duty and manage water supply and demand, including system leakages for at least the next 25 years. Within their plans, water companies must consider all options, including demand management and new water resources including reservoirs water transfers. They must also consult on their plans, including with local authorities. The most recent WRMPs contain proposals for delivery of multiple new schemes by 2050, including 9 new reservoirs. Water companies continue to develop their reservoir proposals with relevant stakeholders including local authorities to ensure long-term water security.

Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate his Department has made of the potential impact of Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging on local authorities in the (a) 2025-26, (b) 2026-27 and (c) 2027-28 financial years.

In October 2024, this Government published an updated impact assessment for the introduction of Extended Responsibility for Packaging (pEPR), which includes an assessment of the impact of introducing the pEPR scheme on Local Authorities at an aggregate level. The impact assessment can be found here: The Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging and Packaging Waste) Regulations 2024.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Extended Producer Responsibility scheme on meeting the Government’s circular economy goals.

Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging (pEPR) is the first step in realising the Government’s circular economy manifesto commitment. This forms part of a set of interconnected reforms, including Simpler Recycling in England, the Plastic Packaging Tax, the expansion of the Emissions Trading Scheme and the Deposit Return Scheme for drink containers, which will provide the basis for system wide change.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the impact of the Extended Producer Responsibility scheme on brewers’ ability to invest in the UK; and what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Business and Trade on this issue.

In October 2024, the Government published an updated assessment of the impact of introducing the pEPR scheme on packaging producers as a whole. This impact assessment did not split the assessment by sector.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an estimate of the cost to the brewing industry of extended producer responsibility fees on glass beer bottles.

It is the responsibility of producers to estimate the cost of their fees. Producers are required to submit the next round of 2024 data by 1 April 2025. Following this and pending satisfactory regulatory checks, Defra intend to use these data to publish pEPR base fees by June 2025.