Ministers from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural
Affairs were answering questions in the Commons. Subjects raised
included...
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Government Contracts: Climate Emergency
(Nottingham North)
(Lab/Co-op)
1. What recent discussions he has had with the Minister for the
Cabinet Office on including provisions to tackle the environment
and climate emergency in future Government contracts. [911451]
The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
(Michael Gove)
How grateful I am, Mr Speaker, to hear you say that there can
indeed be no opposition.
Tackling the climate change and environment emergency is a
cross-Government priority and an issue that I discuss regularly
with Cabinet colleagues. The greening Government commitments
include specific targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions
and improving sustainable procurement. Those commitments
demonstrate the Government’s leadership in improving the
environmental sustainability of their own estate, and the 2018
revisions to the Green Book have also improved the evaluation of
the natural capital impacts of Government decision making.
Tomorrow, young people in Nottingham will demonstrate because we
are not moving quickly enough on our climate emergency. This
House declared such an emergency on 1 May, saying that the
Government should
“set ambitious, short-term targets for… low carbon energy and
transport”.
When we will see those targets?
It is already the case that we are the first Government of a
developed nation to embrace the ambition of reaching net zero
greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. I congratulate the Members
across the House who have campaigned to ensure that that
commitment is at the heart of this Government’s proposals—indeed,
it is a vision—to ensure that we leave a cleaner, greener planet
for the next generation.
(Chelmsford) (Con)
Will my right hon. Friend join me in congratulating the Foreign
Secretary and the Foreign Office team on their amazing diplomatic
success in the negotiations with Italy, which mean that next
year’s global climate change conference is almost certain to come
to London?
The Foreign Secretary has done an outstanding job on the
diplomatic stage and will continue to do so. Co-operating with
our partners across western Europe, including Italy, will ensure
that the 2020 conference of parties brings nations together to
deal with this global challenge. The Secretary of State for
International Development has also played a distinguished role
alongside the Foreign Secretary in using our global footprint to
ensure that our planet is in a more sustainable state.
(Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney)
(Lab)
17. As has been said, this House declared a climate emergency on
1 May. In recent weeks, pupils at Abercanaid Community School and
Ysgol Rhyd y Grug in my constituency have been in contact with me
to urge this Parliament to do all that we can to address the
climate emergency. Will the Secretary of State outline the
specific actions that he will take on Government contracts, and
on any other measures, to give the pupils in my constituency and
elsewhere the confidence that this Government are serious and
will meet their target of net zero emissions by 2050? [911467]
I congratulate the students in his constituency and so many other
students across the country on helping to ensure that our climate
and environment emergency is at the heart of our decision making.
We will put greening Government and greening the whole country at
the heart of our decision making in the forthcoming spending
review.
Food Producers: Overseas Marketing
(Corby) (Con)
2. What discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for
International Trade on (a) promoting and (b) supporting UK food
producers in marketing their produce overseas. [911452]
The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr Robert
Goodwill)
I met with the Secretary of State for International Trade
yesterday, and he told me that he had just come back from Turkey,
where he had been exploring opportunities for British trade,
including in food and drink. On Monday, I signed an agreement
with China which means that British beef could be back on Chinese
dinner plates by the end of the year, which could be worth £230
million over five years to our world-class beef producers. Those
are just two examples of the Department for Environment, Food and
Rural Affairs and the Department for International Trade working
closely to raise the international profile and reputation of the
UK’s high-quality food and drink products, to open new markets,
and to boost our exports.
I am grateful to the Minister for that timely answer. How
successful has the GREAT campaign been at showcasing UK produce
to markets around the world?
Mr Goodwill
It has been great, as it says on the can. DEFRA’s “Food is GREAT”
campaign supports DIT’s trade promotion activity, including at
trade shows and meet-the-buyer events. It helps businesses to
succeed in overseas markets by ensuring global recognition of UK
excellence in food and drink, while encouraging our food and
drink companies to export more.
Mr (Huddersfield)
(Lab/Co-op)
This just shows what a barmy army we have on the Government Front
Bench. To want more beef to be produced and shipped thousands of
miles to China shows that they have not learned the lessons of
sustainability or climate change danger. They had better learn
those lessons quickly and do something to save our planet.
Mr Goodwill
As a former Shipping Minister, I can tell the hon. Gentleman that
30% of containers go back to China empty, so there is tremendous
potential for shipping goods to China without increasing our
carbon footprint.
Mr (Kettering) (Con)
British breakfast cereals are among the best in the world and
none is finer than Weetabix, which is based in the Kettering
constituency and which sources its wheat from farms within a
50-mile radius of the factory. Will my right hon. Friend be the
great British breakfast champion?
Mr Goodwill
I am a great fan of Weetabix, not least because I am a wheat
producer myself. Indeed, I have driven past the Weetabix factory
in his constituency with my hon. Friend, and I quite fancy going
to visit when my diary allows.
(Edinburgh North and Leith)
(SNP)
At the Select Committee on Scottish Affairs, the Secretary of
State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said that the EU
would continue to protect UK protected geographical indications
because they are European law. That seems to be incorrect. Was he
mistaken, or did someone mislead him? Will he now put the record
straight?
Mr Goodwill
Geographical indications are important not only for producers but
so that consumers know they are getting the real thing. It is
important that we get that protection in our negotiations with
the EU through the implementation period while, at the same time,
talking to other trading partners around the world who may have
different systems. We need to ensure that those systems dovetail
closely with ours.
(Cleethorpes) (Con)
On a recent visit to seafood companies in the Grimsby and
Cleethorpes area, the American ambassador encouraged Young’s
Seafood to export even more to the United States. What assistance
can the Department give?
Mr Goodwill
We are keen to export seafood around the world. Brown crab from
my constituency is exported to China, whelks are exported to
South Korea, and I hope that the Americans will enjoy even more
of our seafood and other products when we leave the EU and can
negotiate those trade agreements around the world.
(Plymouth, Sutton and
Devonport) (Lab/Co-op)
I want to press the Minister on geographical indications, which
are vital in our marketing of goods and products made across the
country. In the event of a no deal, about which the frontrunner
in the Tory leadership contest seems quite keen, protections for
Cornish pasties, Buxton blue cheese, traditional Welsh perry,
Cornish clotted cream and Whitstable oysters, to name but a few,
will be at risk. What steps is DEFRA taking to ensure that those
vital goods produced by our farmers and growers are protected
come Halloween this year?
Mr Goodwill
In a no-deal situation, we would wish to set up our own scheme
and to negotiate with our friends across the channel to ensure
some degree of co-operation, but I stress that no deal is not an
option I would want to support. We need to get a deal, and we
need to get it over the line. If, like me, Opposition Members had
voted for the deal on the three occasions it came before the
House, we would have left the European Union on 29 March and we
would be in a much better situation for UK producers.
Tree Planting
(Erewash) (Con)
3. What steps he is taking to increase the rate of tree planting.
[911453]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food
and Rural Affairs (David Rutley)
To increase tree planting rates, we have changed how our main
grant schemes work. The woodland carbon fund now supports
infrastructure such as roads and is available for smaller
projects. The countryside stewardship woodland creation grant is
now open for applications all year, rather than in short windows,
which demonstrates the Government’s commitment to planting 11
million trees during this Parliament.
I thank my hon. Friend for his response. However, his passion for
planting trees seems to be in conflict with the practice of both
Network Rail and Highways England, which have decimated thousands
of mature trees that lined the railway and motorway embankments
through Long Eaton, Sawley and Breaston in my constituency and
that acted as a vital natural sound and visual barrier. May I
urge him and his counterparts in the Department for Transport to
intervene to ensure that mature trees are reinstated on those
embankments as soon as possible?
My hon. Friend is, and continues to be, a strong champion for
Erewash in all ways. I recognise that removing trees can be
concerning, which is why DEFRA is working closely with DFT to
deliver a new policy for Network Rail, with the aim of improving
its current approach to managing vegetation so that it enhances
biodiversity on our rail network. That is in line with the
recommendations of John Varley’s review of Network Rail’s
vegetation management.
(Strangford) (DUP)
I planted some 3,500 trees on my land 10 years ago, so I see the
benefits. Will the Minister further outline what help, advice and
practical and financial support is available for landowners to
prepare land for trees to be planted?
I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for his efforts in helping to
achieve our wider target. As I have explained, we are working
hard to make our current schemes much more flexible. We will also
be introducing the woodland carbon guarantee—£50 million in the
Budget—and we launched the £10 million urban tree challenge fund
just a few weeks ago.
(North West Leicestershire)
(Con)
Will the Minister join me in celebrating the 9 million trees
planted over the past 30 years to create the new national forest?
My constituency, at the centre of it, has seen a massive
improvement in not only the environment but the quality of life,
for visitors and residents alike.
I have had the chance to go to the national forest in my hon.
Friend’s constituency on two occasions, and he is a fantastic
champion and ambassador for the national forest. We need to take
lessons from that and apply them in the northern forest as well,
to see what the exciting opportunities can be.
(Workington) (Lab)
The role of tree planting in tackling climate change is well
documented. The right hon. Member for Penrith and The Border
(Rory Stewart) promised during his leadership bid to plant 100
million trees. The Minister has been mentioning targets, so it is
disappointing to read this week that the Government are falling
woefully short—by 71%—of their targets. Can the Minister explain
why that is? What is he doing about it? How long will it be
before we see the Secretary of State’s targets actually met?
We have set out a clear target of planting 11 million trees in
this Parliament. We are at 3.6 million now and on the trajectory
to achieve that target of 11 million, so I assure the hon. Lady
that we are working in that direction. We have also set out
strong aspirations to increase our woodland cover from 10% to 12%
within the 25-year environment plan. We have stretching targets
and we will move further forward.
Leaving the EU: Food Shortages
Dr (Ealing Central and Acton)
(Lab)
4. What steps he has taken to help prevent food shortages in the
event that the UK leaves the EU without an agreement. [911454]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food
and Rural Affairs (David Rutley)
The Government have been undertaking extensive work to prepare
for a no-deal scenario for the past two years, to ensure that
trade continues to operate smoothly from the day we leave. We
have long-established relationships with industry, and we are
working closely with key stakeholders to prepare for all
scenarios. The UK has a high level of food security, built on
diverse sources, and this will continue to be the case when we
leave the EU.
Dr Huq
In reality, only just over half of the food we eat is made in
Britain, with more than a third coming from the EU. Given that
the Food and Drink Federation is predicting that after a no-deal
Brexit fresh fruit and veg would run out after two weeks, why are
the remaining contenders in the Tory leadership battle continuing
to entertain this damaging prospect? Does he not agree that
scurvy back on our streets is more important than the whims of
fundamentalist party members’ wishes?
The hon. Lady has ruined a perfectly reasonable question by
exaggerating. Of course we are preparing for every eventuality.
As we have said already in these questions, a deal is the best
outcome, and we all have a responsibility to help deliver that.
We are preparing for all outcomes.
(Lichfield) (Con)
So will my hon. Friend confirm that my constituents do not need
to stock up with tins of Spam or apricots in syrup?
We are not going to endorse any particular brand, but it is
important to note that we have a rich and diverse source of food,
and that will continue when we leave the EU.
John Mc Nally (Falkirk) (SNP)
Can the Secretary of State reassure my local businesses, which
supply millions of people across the UK with high-quality food
products, that enough refrigeration units will be in place to
cope with the predicted delays at UK ports after our exit from
the EU?
The hon. Gentleman can be assured that I have regular
meetings—each week—with the main stakeholders in the food
industry to prepare for no deal. We are looking at all
eventualities. Primarily, we are looking at how we can ensure the
flow of trade; that is our vital priority.
Agri-Environment Payments
(Hitchin and Harpenden)
(Con)
5. What steps he is taking to tackle late agri-environment
payments. [911455]
The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
(Michael Gove)
Yesterday, the Rural Payments Agency announced that it will make
payments next month to all those who have been waiting on the
historical revenue payments, and therefore every farmer who has
been taking part in environmental and countryside stewardship
schemes, which deliver important benefits for our environment,
will receive the money that they deserve.
I thank the Secretary of State for that answer, because many
farmers in my constituency have regularly complained to me about
the delays in countryside stewardship scheme payments. Will he
expand on that answer for those who, in some instances, have had
to wait more than 600 days for payments?
My hon. Friend is a brilliant advocate for Hertfordshire farmers
and indeed for workers across the English countryside. He is
absolutely right: past performance has not been good enough. That
is why I am so pleased that the RPA’s chief executive, Paul
Caldwell, will make sure that all back payments are cleared next
month.
Mr Speaker
I hope the hon. Member for Hitchin and Harpenden (Bim Afolami)
realises that he has just been canvassed.
(Bishop Auckland) (Lab)
Last Thursday, the shadow Secretary of State, my hon. Friend the
Member for Workington (Sue Hayman), and I visited Upper Teesdale
Agricultural Support Services. We met farmers who had not been
paid for 18 months, so payments in July would be welcome. Will
they get interest on the late payments?
The hon. Lady is a superb advocate for the farmers of upper
Teesdale, County Durham and England, and it is not too late for
her to cross the House. She makes a fair point, and I will look
into it.
(Tiverton and Honiton)
(Con)
Further to the question from my hon. Friend the Member for
Hitchin and Harpenden (Bim Afolami), as we leave the European
Union we will build up more and more environmentally friendly
agricultural policy, so stewardship schemes will be more
important than ever. There has been a loss of faith in them, and
I am worried about the future programme, because farmers really
do not like the complexity and have waited far too long for their
payments.
My hon. Friend makes a fair point; the schemes have been
bedevilled by unnecessary complexity in the past. It is critical
that as we leave the European Union and have new environmental
land-management schemes, they are both simpler and more effective
in supporting farmers in the wonderful work that they do.
Several hon. Members rose—
Mr Speaker
In calling Dr , I remind Members and inform
others that the hon. Gentleman has a doctorate in rural economy.
Dr (Stroud) (Lab/Co-op)
I know that, as always, you are my biggest fan, Mr Speaker.
I hear what the Secretary of State says, but one reason for the
current collapse in the take-up of environmental agri-ecology
schemes is the slowness and lateness of payments, which is
bedevilling the pilots for the environmental land-management
schemes. Will the Secretary of State assure me that those pilots
will now get under way?
Yes.
Wildlife Habitats
(North Warwickshire)
(Con)
6. What steps the Government are taking to ensure that developers
in England enhance habitats for wildlife. [911456]
(Witney) (Con)
11. What steps the Government are taking to ensure that
developers in England enhance habitats for wildlife. [911461]
Sir (New Forest West) (Con)
13. What steps the Government are taking to ensure that
developers in England enhance habitats for wildlife. [911463]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food
and Rural Affairs (Dr Thérèse Coffey)
We have strengthened the national planning policy framework to
make it clear that all development within its scope should
achieve net gains for biodiversity. We have consulted on
proposals to mandate biodiversity net gain for development, and
will use the forthcoming environment Bill to legislate for a net
gain system.
I thank the Minister for that answer, but will she assure me that
she is taking action to ensure that all major infrastructure
projects comply with all environmental licences, permissions and
protections?
Dr Coffey
Large infrastructure projects may require an environmental impact
assessment of the likely effects. In the case of nationally
significant infrastructure projects, the EEA forms a part of the
planning process and the development consent order. I assure my
hon. Friend that each consenting regime has appropriate
enforcement mechanisms.
West Oxfordshire wants the design of the Oxfordshire Cotswolds
garden village to enhance, not harm, the environment. What
guidance have Ministers given to developers on how garden
villages can enhance things such as wildlife corridors and
biodiversity in new developments?
Dr Coffey
Well-planned, locally led garden communities can play a vital
role, not only in meeting the country’s housing needs and
providing a stable pipeline of high-quality homes but by
providing such opportunities as my hon. Friend referred to. In
fact, they will be mandated to do so, to improve wildlife
corridors and promote health and wellbeing and quality of life.
That could be a win-win for my hon. Friend’s constituents.
Sir
What levers will the Minister have?
Dr Coffey
We have updated the planning guidance for the planning policy. As
we set out in the consultation, we intend to develop in the
environment Bill an update of metrics for biodiversity and wider
environmental net gains. We will provide practical tools to
support developers and, critically, local planning authorities to
achieve better environmental outcomes for every development.
(Bristol East) (Lab)
A 38 Degrees petition started by Norman Pasley from Bristol is
calling for legislation on the installation of swift boxes in all
new housing developments, and it has more than 130,000
signatures. As parliamentary species champion for the swift, I
urge Ministers to support the campaign. Perhaps the Secretary of
State in particular would like to make it his legacy from his
time at the Department.
Dr Coffey
Hopefully, the hon. Lady will be swift in her praise for the work
we are doing with the forthcoming environment Bill. As the
species champion for bitterns, which are literally booming as we
speak, I know that this issue matters. We want to take more
proactive approaches to how we protect species. I am not sure
whether a swift box in every single house is the right thing, as
opposed to all sorts of other things such as beetle hotels—there
is a wide variety—but we need to make sure that we encourage a
wide range of biodiversity for birds, for wildlife and for the
protection of nature for future generations.
(Stoke-on-Trent Central)
(Lab/Co-op)
The crowing from the Department about their bird policy this
morning is rather touching. The Minister will be aware that
changes by the water undertakers to discharge water regulations
are causing concern for the Bathroom Manufacturers Association
and house builders. Will she meet me and a small delegation to
discuss how future developments can better look after our waste
water?
Dr Coffey
I am sure that we can work that in with the question on
developers and biodiversity, Mr Speaker. I recently responded to
a written question and a letter from the hon. Gentleman. Perhaps
he can look at that first before we consider a further meeting.
(Newport East) (Lab)
The RSPB and the Wildlife Trusts, which both have fantastic
reserves in my constituency in the Newport wetlands and the Magor
marsh, are strongly supportive of establishing a nature recovery
network to restore and repair habitats. Will the Government
commit to putting that on a statutory footing?
Dr Coffey
I have the wonderful RSPB Minsmere and various Suffolk Wildlife
Trust sites in my constituency. That is already our pledge. It
was in the 25-year environment plan and will be in the
forthcoming environment Bill.
Dame (Meriden) (Con)
My constituents are up in arms about the felling of trees and
vegetation to make way for HS2 during the nesting season. Will my
hon. Friend confirm the Government’s commitment to biodiversity
net gain for new developments?
Dr Coffey
That is absolutely the case. My right hon. Friend spoke to me
this morning about this issue. I will follow up on it, because
when major infrastructure projects go ahead, it is important that
people should have confidence, and while some vegetation might
need to be removed, HS2 is supposed to be planting at least 5
million trees. We will make sure that it does so.
Seasonal Agricultural Workers Pilot Scheme
(Clwyd South) (Lab)
7. If he will hold discussions with the Home Secretary on
increasing the limit on workers in the seasonal agricultural
workers pilot scheme. [911457]
The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr Robert
Goodwill)
The Government have introduced a new immigration pilot scheme for
2019 and 2020 to enable up to 2,500 non-European economic area
migrant workers to come to the UK to undertake seasonal
employment in the edible horticultural sector. DEFRA and the Home
Office will evaluate the outcome before taking any decisions on
future arrangements.
Government Members seem to be obsessed with 31 October. That is a
pity, because harvest is coming rather sooner, and I wish they
would show a similar interest in that. The NFU has made it
absolutely clear that we need a permanent, fully functioning
system and that at least 10,000 new workers are required in this
area. Why will the Government not act, and why will the Home
Office not take proper action?
Mr Goodwill
It is important that we evaluate the pilot before moving further.
From my point of view, we are meeting the requirements. We had
700 workers here already by the end of May and we expect to reach
the peak in the middle of the summer picking season, although the
Home Office might look at how many of those workers go back to
the Russian Federation, Ukraine and Moldova at the end. We will
need to evaluate that after the pilot before going further.
(Gordon) (Con)
16. Abattoirs and food processors in my Gordon constituency are
worried about not only seasonal labour but permanent labour and
are deeply concerned by the approach taken by Migration Advisory
Committee. Is my right hon. Friend working closely with the Home
Office to preserve the food sector’s labour access? [911466]
Mr Goodwill
Absolutely. We understand how big an issue this is. Some 28% of
those working in food and drink manufacturing, including fish
processing, are from the European Union. That is 106,000 people.
It is important that they understand that, whichever way we leave
the European Union, including no deal, they will still be able to
come here to work and participate in these important industries.
Tree Planting
(York Central)
(Lab/Co-op)
8. What progress he has made on implementing the tree planting
strategy. [911458]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food
and Rural Affairs (David Rutley)
In November 2018 we announced that we will consult on a new
English tree strategy, setting out how we will accelerate
woodland creation to reach our aspiration of increasing woodland
cover in England from 10% to 12% by 2060. The consultation on the
English tree strategy will be launched later this year, and our
recently reappointed tree champion is leading our engagement on
this.
But clearly the strategy is not working when councils such as
City of York Council fail to sign up to the White Rose Forest
project. As we have heard, the Government have failed to reach
their target by 71%, so there is no chance that we will see a
growth in the number of trees across our country. Will the
Minister look at mandating local authorities to sign up to the
Government’s initiative?
We will do all we can to encourage local authorities to get
involved. It is good to hear that Yorkshire Water is planting 1
million trees in Yorkshire. We need to do more, particularly in
the hon. Lady’s area, with natural flood management techniques
upstream. There is lots we can do.
Rare and Native Breeds
(Camborne and Redruth)
(Con)
9. What plans his Department has to support (a) rare and (b)
native breeds in future agriculture policy. [911459]
The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr Robert
Goodwill)
Our rare and native breeds are an important genetic resource.
There are several purposes under clauses 1 and 2 of the
Agriculture Bill for which financial assistance could be provided
to support our genetic heritage.
I declare my interest in that my family are long-standing
breeders of both the British Lop pig and pedigree South Devon
cattle, but genetic diversity is critical to maintaining
resilience in our livestock sectors, and protecting genetic
resources is a primary responsibility for DEFRA. Will the
Minister therefore agree to convene a meeting at DEFRA of
representatives of our native and rare breeds to discuss what
support would be appropriate for them under future policy?
Mr Goodwill
I was already aware of my hon. Friend’s considerable interest in
this policy area. I am pleased to tell him that a workshop with
breed societies will be taking place in London on 12 September to
look at the issues that he has in mind. Later today I will be
visiting the Lincolnshire show, where I hope to see some of the
rare breeds that are bound to be there.
Mr Speaker
This is all very encouraging, but I must say that as we are
discussing rare breeds, I feel a great sense of personal sadness
that we are not joined this morning by the right hon. Member for
Mid Sussex (Sir Nicholas Soames), who knows a thing or two about
these matters.
Several hon. Members rose—
The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
(Michael Gove)
As does my hon. Friend the Member for Banbury (Victoria Prentis).
Mr Speaker
I had not seen the hon. Lady but I have now, and I am grateful to
the Secretary of State, who is doing what might be called a side
line.
(Banbury) (Con)
I probably should also declare an interest in South Devon cattle,
as my family have bred them for generations as well. However, I
wanted to ask the Minister about rare wildlife, if I might segue
into the matter. Given all his work on general licences recently,
what communications has he had with the Royal Society for the
Protection of Birds about sites of special scientific interest
and the work it does culling birds in those areas?
Mr Goodwill
It is important, particularly for ground-nesting birds, that
other bird species that can predate on them and damage their
nests are controlled. The RSPB carries out that work on land that
it controls, and I hope that it will continue doing so to protect
those particular rare species.
Badger Culling Programme
(Eastbourne) (Ind)
10. What recent assessment his Department has made of the
effectiveness of the badger culling programme. [911460]
The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
(Michael Gove)
During 2018, badger control operations in 32 areas of England
were all successful in meeting their targets. According to
Natural England’s chief scientist, the results show that
“industry-led badger control continues to deliver the level of
effectiveness required by the policy to be confident of achieving
disease control benefits”.
Assessments of the effectiveness of badger control are published
annually on gov.uk.
Given the extended roll-out, it is estimated that about 150,000
badgers will have been culled by the end of 2020. This animal,
which has been around since the ice age, faces extinction in
various parts of the country. What would the Secretary of State
say about investing the money in a national badger vaccination
programme? To quote the Wildlife Trusts, should not the
Government be investing in “medicine, not marksmen”?
The hon. Gentleman makes an important point. When it comes to
dealing with bovine TB—a terrible disease that damages the lives
of cattle and the livelihoods of farmers—we need to consider all
steps that are appropriate. Culling and vaccination are both
tools in our armoury.
Clean Air Strategy
(Bath) (LD)
12. What recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of
State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on delivering
the clean air strategy 2019. [911462]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food
and Rural Affairs (Dr Thérèse Coffey)
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has regular
discussions with his counterpart at the Ministry of Housing,
Communities and Local Government. Discussions are also held at an
official level about delivering the clean air strategy and
relevant provisions that we hope to bring forward in the
forthcoming environment Bill. Local authorities will continue to
play a vital role in delivering improvements to the air that we
all breathe.
The Minister knows that Bath has a considerable air pollution
problem. Idling cars make a measurable contribution to inner-city
pollution. I recently tabled a private Member’s Bill to give
local authorities greater enforcement powers to stop idling cars.
Will the Minister consider my proposal to strengthen anti-idling
legislation?
Dr Coffey
I believe this is already circulating around the Government and
has been for a couple of months. I hope that an announcement will
be made very soon.
(Chelsea and Fulham) (Con)
One local council that could do a much better job on air quality
is Labour-controlled Hammersmith and Fulham, by reopening
Hammersmith bridge. The diversion of traffic through Fulham and
Chelsea is horrendous. Will the Minister join me in calling on
the council and the Mayor of London to introduce proper air
quality monitoring, particularly on Fulham High Street, to
properly assess the catastrophic impact of the council’s
decision?
Dr Coffey
It is fair to say that air quality across the country is
improving, but these sorts of congestion hotspots are really
damaging that progress. I absolutely agree with my right hon.
Friend that the bridge should be opened as quickly as possible.
Mr Speaker
The hon. Member for Aberdeen South (Ross Thomson) has withdrawn
his question, so I call Mr .
Leaving the EU: Fisheries Policy
(Banff and Buchan) (Con)
15. What plans he has for fisheries policy after the UK leaves
the EU. [911465]
The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
(Michael Gove)
The Government’s vision for future fisheries policy as we leave
the European Union is set out in the fisheries White Paper
“Sustainable fisheries for future generations”, which was
published in July 2018.
Will my right hon. Friend confirm his commitment to boosting
investment in the fisheries sector to help with expansion outside
the common fisheries policy but also to promote export
opportunities and the UK domestic market for Scottish seafood
after Brexit?
Absolutely I will. The UK Government will work with the Scottish
Government to make sure that we have investment in port
facilities in Peterhead and Fraserburgh, and that we have the
marketing budget necessary to ensure that the power of our United
Kingdom is harnessed to help Scots fishermen and, indeed,
Scottish fish processors.
(Kilmarnock and Loudoun)
(SNP)
The Secretary of State has already promised Danish and Iberian
fishing fleets that their access to UK waters will continue
unhindered after Brexit. How many promises has he made to other
foreign countries, and what percentage of the quotas is going to
be reserved for UK fishing?
I have promised no such thing. What I have promised is to ensure
that we are out of the European Union and out of the common
fisheries policy, in stark contrast to the Scottish National
party, which wants to keep us in the European Union and in the
common fisheries policy. The Scottish National party and the
Scottish Government claim to stand up for Scotland, but at every
turn they prefer the politics of grievance and the ideology of
separation to the interests of Scotland’s fishermen and
Scotland’s citizens.
Topical Questions
(East Dunbartonshire) (LD)
T1. If he will make a statement on his departmental
responsibilities. [911469]
The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
(Michael Gove)
I am delighted to announce that OBE has been
appointed as the new permanent secretary at DEFRA. She is the
fourth woman in succession to be permanent secretary at this
Department. With respect to the hon. Member for East
Dunbartonshire (Jo Swinson) , I do think it is a very, very good
thing if important institutions in this country are, wherever
possible, led by women.
I congratulate the new permanent secretary at the Secretary of
State’s Department. It is always good to see senior women in
leadership roles.
The Government have set out a new net zero emissions target.
Putting our country on track to meet that in order to tackle the
climate emergency is going to take urgent and bold action, so
will the Secretary of State commit to bringing forward the date
to end the sale of new petrol and diesel cars to 2030, allow
onshore wind facilities to be built again, and re-establish the
Department of Energy and Climate Change?
Those are important points, well made. Bringing forward the
target by which we get rid of petrol and diesel cars is always
kept under review. At the moment, we believe that the target is
achievable and stretching, but we will of course keep it under
review as more progress is made. On renewable energy, we lead the
world in offshore wind, and we have also done a huge amount on
solar energy, in particular—99% of the solar power generated in
this country has been generated since 2010. I pay tribute to
Ministers who served in the coalition Government between 2010 and
2015 for their work in this area.
(Burton) (Con)
T2. When visiting the local Co-op shop last night on my way home
from Parliament, I noticed that shoppers were being presented
with bags emblazoned with the words, “100% compostable”. These
bags were perfectly serviceable for the job that they were asked
to do. Given that this technology is now available, is it not
time that we banned the use of single-use plastic bags and bags
for life to help the environment? [911473]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food
and Rural Affairs (Dr Thérèse Coffey)
The environmental impact of bags, including bags for life, can be
reduced simply through reusing them. We will be publishing our
response on extending the carrier bag charge to all retailers
very soon, so we are not currently considering stopping the use
of plastic bags altogether. In our bio-economy strategy, we have
committed to issuing a call for evidence, because it is important
to note that these biodegradable bags need careful treatment when
they come to the end of their life.
(Ipswich) (Lab)
Following the recent Scottish deposit return scheme proposals and
the conclusion of the Government’s consultation on DRS, can the
Secretary of State tell us how the Government intend to learn
from best practice? Does he hope to emulate the 98.5% recycling
rate achieved by Germany for plastic and glass bottles and metal
drink cans? Will he commit to a deposit return scheme that
matches the ambition of other Governments in Europe, to achieve a
UK-wide standard, as suggested in “Our Waste, Our Resources”?
Dr Coffey
This is something that the Government have worked on extensively.
I have visited several countries, including Germany, and it is
fair to say that not all deposit return schemes take glass. As I
have said to the House before, the front end of these schemes is
very simple, but how we make the back end work is complex. That
is why it is taking some time. We are considering carefully with
the devolved Administrations how we can make progress, and I hope
we will be able to announce more soon.
(Bolton West) (Con)
T4. Reforesting is an important part of the Conservative agenda
on the environment. Does the Minister agree that the Woodland
Trust’s Smithills estate is a key part of that strategy? [911475]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food
and Rural Affairs (David Rutley)
I agree. The Smithills estate was where the first tree of the
northern forest was planted, which is a very important step
forward. It is a great site, overshadowed by the wonderful Winter
Hill TV mast. I love it, and I am grateful for my hon. Friend’s
support for it.
(Bristol East) (Lab)
T5. An investigation published last week by The Guardian, the
Bureau of Investigative Journalism and “Channel 4 News” suggested
that at least 3,000 deaths each year could be avoided if
agricultural ammonia emissions were halved. The Secretary of
State said that he wanted to close the current loopholes by 2025.
May I suggest that it would be a marvellous legacy for him as he
leaves the Department—which he presumably will, whatever happens
today—to introduce a comprehensive ammonia reduction strategy?
[911476]
I am grateful for the hon. Lady’s valuable advice. She is right:
when it comes to dealing with air quality, we need to deal with
ammonia emissions. We have a number of policies that we will
implement as part of our environment Bill.
(Cheadle) (Con)
The River Mersey, which originates in Stockport and flows through
my constituency on its journey to Liverpool, has been named and
shamed by Greenpeace as proportionately more polluted than the
great Pacific garbage patch. That follows a University of
Manchester study showing that microplastics in the river bed
sediment were higher than in any other environment. What work is
the Department doing to address the issue of microplastics
entering the waterways, and what pressure is being put on the
industry to address it?
Dr Coffey
I grew up in Liverpool, and it is sad to hear that terrible
statistic revealed by Greenpeace. I think it is fair to say that
the Government have already taken action by reducing
microplastics from certain cosmetic products and rinse-off
products. We will do more by taking forward the ban on plastic
straws and other single-use plastic items. We will continue to
work with the water industry on what more we can do about
filtration, so that we keep plastics out of the rivers.
(Eltham) (Lab)
Given the extraordinarily high contribution of cars on our roads
to poor air quality, will the Secretary of State lobby the
Department for Transport to review all major road schemes to see
whether they will contribute to poor air quality, and look at
modal shift, to get people off our roads and out of their cars?
The hon. Gentleman knows of what he speaks, as a distinguished
former taxi driver, as well as a very effective spokesman for the
people of Eltham in the Borough of Greenwich. We absolutely do
need to take account in all new road-building schemes of the
impact of pollution.
(Tiverton and Honiton)
(Con)
Yesterday I was able to sponsor National Refill Day with Water
UK. Reusing our water bottles means that we could get rid of
millions of plastic bottles that we do not need. It is about not
only recycling plastic, but using a lot less. Does the Secretary
of State welcome that?
I hugely welcome that, and I am grateful to water companies and
others who have made the provision of water fountains a critical
part of ensuring that we use less plastic.
(Brentford and Isleworth)
(Lab)
The Heathrow masterplan released this week promises 40,000 more
vehicles on our roads, 6 million more tonnes of CO2 released per
annum and new noise for hundreds of thousands of households. What
discussions has the Secretary of State had with the Secretary of
State for Transport about the environmental consequences of
Heathrow expansion?
Intense and productive discussions, but it is also important to
recognise that a majority of Labour MPs and Scottish National
party MPs support Heathrow expansion.
(Glasgow North) (SNP)
The Secretary of State has answered this several times, but it
bears asking again: is it still his contention that other
European Union countries are looking enviously at this
Government’s efforts to leave the EU?
Increasingly enviously, and I think it is the case that other
European Union countries, many of which I love, are looking
enviously at the gallimaufry of talent that exists on the
Government Benches at this time. I suspect that those other
European Union countries appreciate the festival of democracy in
which we are currently engaged.
