Environment, Food and Rural Affairs ministers were answering
questions in the Commons. Subjects covered included...
To read any of these in greater detail, click on the link above or
see below.
Air Pollution
(Hyndburn) (Con)
1. What steps his Department is taking to tackle the effect of air
pollution. [901638]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food
and Rural Affairs ()
Our clean air strategy sets out an ambitious programme of action
to reduce air pollution from a wide range of sources. We have
also put in place a £3.8 billion plan to tackle roadside nitrogen
dioxide concentrations. Our Environment Bill makes a clear
commitment to set a legally binding target to reduce fine
particulate matter and enables local authorities to take more
effective action to tackle air pollution in these areas.
Hyndburn has the highest levels of air pollutants in Lancashire
and double the county’s average level of nitrogen dioxide. What
work is being done with local councils such as mine to tackle
that?
I thank my hon. Friend for her question; I see that she is
already standing up for her constituency. Air pollution has
reduced significantly since 2010. Emissions of nitrogen oxides
have fallen by 33% and are at their lowest level since records
began, but that is not to say that there is not a great deal more
to do. In Hyndburn, nitrogen dioxide concentrations around roads
are actually within the statutory air quality limit, though local
authorities are empowered to address local air quality concerns
within their community. We have put in place a £3.8 billion plan
to improve air quality and deliver cleaner transport, and last
year we published our world-leading clean air strategy, which
focuses on broader emissions beyond road transport and aims to
cut air pollution and save lives. That strategy includes new and
ambitious goals, legislation, investment and policies to clean up
our air.
(Edinburgh North and Leith)
(SNP)
Will the Minister join me in welcoming the more stringent air
pollution reduction targets that the Scottish Government have
agreed in legislation, and does she agree that the UK Government
should match those targets in their Environment Bill?
I thank the hon. Lady for her question, but actually our clean
air strategy has been described by the World Health Organisation
as
“an example for the rest of the world to follow”.
With our £3.8 billion commitment, we are definitely leading the
way.
Tree Planting
(Bristol East) (Lab)
2. When the Government plan to implement their commitment to
plant 30,000 hectares of trees per year by 2025. [901640]
(Guildford)
(Con)
8. What plans he has to increase tree planting rates. [901649]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food
and Rural Affairs ()
Forestry is devolved, and we are working with the devolved
Administrations to increase tree planting across the UK to 30,000
hectares per year by 2025. To drive up planting rates in England,
we announced a new £640 million nature for climate fund, and we
are developing an ambitious delivery programme. We will seek
feedback and evidence on this through our new English tree
strategy.
I thank the Minister for that response. The Committee on Climate
Change has said that we need to plant 32,000 hectares a year for
the next 30 years if we are to meet the net zero target, but my
understanding is that the Government’s recent announcement was
that they would be planting 30,000 hectares in full by 2025, not
per year. Can the Minister clarify that? The manifesto commitment
was per year, but I think the Government have not now committed
to that.
Just for clarification, in our manifesto it was 30,000 hectares
per year.
I thank the Minister for her answer, and I welcome the investment
in our green infrastructure. May I ask how the Government have
funded woodland creation?
The Government have made major commitments. Chiefly, as I have
mentioned, we announced the £640 million nature for climate fund
in our manifesto. Ministers are working with officials on policy
proposals to increase tree planting in England over this
Parliament. We have also kick-started funding for planting the
new Northern and Great Northumberland forests. In addition, last
year we opened the £50 million woodland carbon guarantee, giving
long-term income support to new woodland creation projects, while
pump-priming the domestic carbon market, which is obviously
something that will grow.
(Strangford) (DUP)
I thank the Minister for her responses so far. In her statement
in answer to the original question, she referred to having been
in touch with the Northern Ireland Assembly and the regional
Administrations. Northern Ireland lags behind when it comes to
tree planting. What discussions has the Minister had with the
Northern Ireland Assembly to ensure that tree planting in
Northern Ireland catches up with the tree planting that she
mentioned in her statement and answers?
Obviously, we are keen for tree planting to expand everywhere,
including Scotland. Scotland already does a lot of tree planting,
because the nature of its landscape is somewhat different from
ours. We have a raft of measures, and our officials will be
speaking to officials in Northern Ireland. It is very important
that we keep all that contact and do this as a joint thing. Trees
work on the atmosphere: they hold the carbon dioxide, and that
goes everywhere, so we need to be doing this jointly.
(East Worthing and Shoreham)
(Con)
It is absolutely right that we vastly ramp up tree planting to
help with carbon capture, but may I ask the Minister not to
overlook kelp? It absorbs more than six times the amount of
carbon as trees. We have vast tracts of seabed available, not
least off Sussex. It helps with marine conservation, and it is
also a food source. Please could we look at that more closely,
and at how we can promote it, as we want to do, in Sussex?
My hon. Friend raises an incredibly interesting point. It is
something I am personally very interested in. As we speak, there
is a project under way to plant kelp and to look at how its
carbon capture is going. Mudflats are similarly really important,
as are salt marshes. There could be a big future for this on our
new horizon of dealing with the land and the landscape. All this
carbon capture is a new feature in relation to climate change,
and I think kelp will definitely be part of it.
(Warley) (Lab)
The Minister has talked a lot about planting trees, but made no
mention of where those trees will come from; in other words, will
they be sourced within the UK or will we be importing them, which
will have an impact not only on employment but on the
importation, as we have seen previously, of pests and diseases?
Will the Minister therefore give long-term contracts to the
horticultural industry so that it can rapidly ramp up the
production of seedlings, for the sake of the British economy and
as a health and safety measure ?
I forgive the right hon. Gentleman for going on, because it is
brilliant to mention horticulture. Horticulture is such an
important part of this country, and we are in discussions with
nurseries, because he is absolutely right that they have to
provide these trees. We would obviously like as many as possible
to come from the UK, because that is very important, particularly
on biosecurity grounds. I see a great new future in that for
those nurseries, and we are in discussions with the industry.
(Kettering) (Con)
I declare an interest, as a member of Kettering Borough Council,
which is increasing its planting of British native trees from 250
to 500 a year and supports plans for 40 hectares of new trees
across north Northamptonshire on an annual basis. What more can
be done to incentivise local authorities to plant more trees?
As ever, my hon. Friend is a fantastic advocate for his
constituency. Many local authorities are embarking on excellent
planting schemes. There will be some big opportunities through
the Environment Bill in the biodiversity net gain sector, where
lots of people will be able to offset when building a
development; they can plant some trees to add 10% more
biodiversity. There will be opportunities right around the
country through the new nature recovery strategies which my hon.
Friend’s local authority will be a part of providing, and that
will determine where the trees should be planted.
Deforestation
(Blaydon) (Lab)
3. What steps the Government are taking to end deforestation in
commodity supply chains as agreed in the Amsterdam declaration on
deforestation. [901642]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food
and Rural Affairs ()
I feel like a jack-in-a-box, Mr Speaker.
The UK supports a number of initiatives to eliminate
deforestation from supply chains in line with the aims of the
Amsterdam declaration. That includes establishing UK roundtables
on palm oil and soya to help UK companies realise sustainable
sourcing commitments and supporting the tropical forest alliance,
a public-private initiative with over 160 members. We also
convene the global resource initiative, which will shortly
recommend further actions that the UK can take to green our
supply chains.
In the year when are due to host COP26, the Environment Bill must
be world leading and set an example for other countries to
follow. How will DEFRA take responsibility for the UK’s global
footprint, and will the Minister confirm that there will be
action to remove deforestation from UK supply chains in future?
The hon. Lady raises an incredibly important point and our vision
is for everyone to benefit from more sustainable production of
vital agricultural commodities. We have addressed this within the
Environment Bill. Our global footprint is incredibly important,
and we are considering the recommendations in the global resource
initiative and will be very seriously thinking about how
Government can take that forward. We are leading by example in
many other areas, particularly our Government’s partnerships for
forests programme and the soya programme that I mentioned in my
previous answer.
Vulnerable People: Food Supplies
(Newcastle upon Tyne Central)
(Lab)
4. What steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to maintain
food supplies for vulnerable people in the (a) North East and (b)
UK during the covid-19 outbreak. [901643]
The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
()
The Government are in close contact with representatives of the
food supply chain and with local authorities, including those in
the north-east, and also with charities, to ensure that those who
need to stay at home will have continued access to food. We have
well established ways of working with the food industry during
disruption and our retailers already have highly resilient supply
chains and are working around the clock to ensure that people
have the food and other products that they need.
All of us found the images of empty supermarket shelves
disturbing, but for those who are vulnerable, aged, unwell,
isolated or dependent on food banks, that is causing real fear as
to where their next meal is coming from. In the north-east, we
have excellent local producers, but much of our food is dependent
on supply chains, and I am afraid the Secretary of State’s
response will not have given the reassurance required. What
specifically is he doing to ensure the supply of food to the
supermarket shelves and from the supermarket shelves to people’s
homes?
It is very important to note that we have significant resilience
in our food supply chain, in that food manufacturers are used to
coping with increases in demand, not least every year during
Christmas. There is not a shortage of food. The challenge we have
had is getting food to shelves in time when people have been
purchasing more. That is why we have taken steps including
setting aside delivery curfews so lorries can run around the
clock, and relaxing driver hours to ensure that deliveries can
take place more frequently. We are in discussion with Ministry of
Housing, Communities and Local Government colleagues about other
support that we would deliver locally to get food to those who
are self-isolating.
(Plymouth, Sutton and
Devonport) (Lab/Co-op)
I thank the Secretary of State for meeting me and the rest of the
shadow DEFRA team this week to discuss concerns about the
national crisis and food availability. I urge him to go further
on some of the measures he has set out. I hope my questions are
seen as being asked in a constructive spirit.
People are worried about how they will feed their family,
especially if they are self-isolating, have had their income
slashed to statutory sick pay or have lost their job. However,
millions are already in food poverty, and this is an immediate
family emergency for many of them. With food banks running low on
food, and given that many food bank volunteers are over the age
of 70 and will soon need to self-isolate, what steps is the
Secretary of State taking to assist those in genuine hunger
today?
As I have said, we have taken a number of steps to ensure that we
can get food to supermarkets. I have been in daily calls with the
food supply sector. Those have included discussions about food
banks, and we are in dialogue with supermarkets to ensure that
they get access to the supplies they need. I welcome the
constructive approach that the shadow Secretary of State is
taking. We are also working on specific proposals to help the
most vulnerable—those with clinical problems—to ensure that we
can get food to them should they be self-isolating.
I thank the Secretary of State for that answer. I think he will
need to provide more detail for those who are in genuine hunger
today; the hope of detail in the future is not reassuring people
at the moment. If I may press him further on supermarkets, we
discussed the so-called grey hour, when elderly people can shop
before the rest of society goes into the supermarkets. Will he
press the Department for Transport to relax the times for free
bus pass use to ensure that people can get to the supermarkets?
Will he also ensure that every supermarket, not just the Co-op,
is still contributing food to food banks and organisations such
as FareShare? I suspect that he and his colleagues will want to
ensure a private sector-led solution wherever possible, but I
press him on this issue, because we will not get through this
crisis unless there is Government intervention to support those
people and ensure that food supply chains remain open.
The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right that there is a role for
the Government. We must take action to set aside any obstacles to
making the food supply chain operate in a way that ensures that
people have food. On food banks, as I said, we are in discussion
with supermarkets. We have also had discussions with them about
competition law, and we will take whatever action is necessary to
ensure that they can jointly plan their approach to these
matters. For the most vulnerable, we are working on proposals
that my colleagues in MHCLG will announce shortly.
(Chipping Barnet)
(Con)
Getting home deliveries to potentially millions of self-isolating
households is a massive logistical exercise. Is it time for the
Government to think about further intervention, including, I am
afraid, the suspension of competition rules, so retailers and
haulage companies can work together to meet this huge national
challenge?
My right hon. Friend makes a very important point. That is why
earlier this week we had a detailed workshop with both retailers
and food processors to identify what they would like to do and
what changes to competition law we would need to consider and
implement. We are working on that right now.
(The Wrekin) (Con)
Telford and Wrekin Council will now have to deliver 5,000 free
school meals a day without being able to do so through schools,
except for key workers’ children. What more can the Government
do, given that many volunteers and people working in charities
who might offer to backfill where support is required may be
self-isolating or may have been encouraged by the Government to
self-isolate? There really is an issue with logistics.
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture,
Media and Sport is working on a national volunteer project to
co-ordinate the many offers of volunteer help that we have had.
In the context of food, we have been working very closely with
supermarkets to expand their click-and-collect services to make
it easier, where possible, for them to expand their delivery
capacity to homes. We continue to work with other groups to
identify how we can get food to people at this difficult time.
(South West Bedfordshire)
(Con)
Care homes and other residential settings that have been let down
by their wholesale food suppliers are now being told by
supermarkets that they will be treated just like any other
consumer. Two chickens do not go a long way if they have 136
residents to feed. Will the Secretary of State urgently look into
this issue for all residential settings, please?
I am happy to look at the specific issue that my hon. Friend
raised. However, it is also worth noting that while there has
been an increase in demand at retail shops, notably in
supermarkets, there has been a sharp fall in demand in the
service trade, as restaurants, pubs and so forth find that demand
for their services has plummeted. Our understanding at the moment
is that there are not issues in the food service supply chain,
but I am happy to take up any particular case that he might have.
(Oldham West and Royton)
(Lab/Co-op)
Our supermarket workers have shown themselves to be the heroes of
retail, making sure that people get fed and get the food that
they need, but there are real concerns about whether they can
maintain that service if they are not included in the list of key
workers. Of course, many will have children who will need care if
the schools cannot accommodate them. Can we have an assurance
today that our retail workers will be on the list of key workers?
The Prime Minister made reference yesterday to the importance of
those working in the food retail sector, in particular. Later
today, the Government will announce jobs defined as key workers,
but I can assure him that we fully recognise that over 25% of
staff generally working in the food supply chain have children of
school age, and that will be reflected when the list is
published.
Support for Farmers
(Thirsk and Malton)
(Con)
5. What steps he is taking to support farmers. [901644]
(East Hampshire)
(Con)
10. What steps he is taking to support farmers. [901652]
The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
()
We have committed to maintaining the budget for our future
agriculture policy at the same level as now, but to direct it
differently. We are designing our farming reforms with those who
work in agriculture and considering resilience issues. During the
transition period, farmers will have time to adapt and prepare
for the new policy.
Farmers’ and landowners’ ability to protect their crops and their
livestock will be seriously compromised unless general licences
are issued for protected areas, gulls and traps this spring. Will
my right hon. Friend set out what he can do to make sure that
that is the case?
My hon. Friend raises an important point. I am aware that Natural
England intends to circulate the stoat-trapping general licence
to stakeholders this week, and it is working hard to grant those
licences as soon as possible. People wishing to control wild
birds in protected areas need to apply for an individual licence,
as must those wishing to control lesser black-backed or herring
gulls except for safety reasons, given their poorer conservation
status. We are also considering the best future approach as part
of our review.
Right now, DEFRA, quite rightly, is focused totally on the
food-supply questions that we have been talking about, but will
my right hon. Friend also confirm that he will look to move
forward with a trade and standards commission for food quality
for UK consumers and for a fair field for our farmers?
My right hon. Friend makes a very important point. He will be
aware that our manifesto and our published objectives for the US
trade deal make it clear that we will protect our food standards
and animal welfare in any future trade deals. I am aware that
there has been a proposal for a trade and standards commission,
which we are considering, and we are in discussion with other
Departments, such as the Department for International Trade,
about how best to ensure that agricultural expertise is fully
reflected as part of the negotiating team.
(Cambridge) (Lab)
If the motto in past crises was “Dig for Victory”, so far this
one has been much more “Distribute for Victory”. Of course, the
retail sector is very important, but I am less sanguine than the
Secretary of State about future food supply and I think that we
need to make sure that we support all those in that chain. The
poultry industry, for instance, is very time-dependent. Two or
three days extra for chickens on farms can lead to a whole range
of welfare and logistical issues. Can I take it that the
Secretary of State is pressing his colleagues to ensure that all
those in the food supply chain are recognised on the Government
list of key groups of workers, so we make sure that we secure our
future food security?
As I said in response to an earlier question, the Government
recognise that a significant number of staff working throughout
the supply chain, both retailers and food processors, have
children of school age; we estimate that the figure is between
25% and 33%. We therefore recognise that many of them will need
to be defined as key workers, but further information on that
will be published by the Government later today.
(Angus) (SNP)
The standards of agriculture produce and animal welfare in Angus
and elsewhere in these islands is among the best in the world. Is
it not the case that the standards of imports are not always up
to the standards of UK production? Is it not important that we
follow the simple premise that, if something cannot lawfully meet
the UK standards of production, it should not lawfully be
imported to the UK? Will the Secretary of State enshrine that in
the Government’s legislation?
We had a clear commitment in our manifesto to protect food
standards and animal welfare in any future trade deals we do. Our
view is that the right way to do that is through getting our
mandate and approach to the negotiations right, and not
necessarily by attempting to draft something in legislation.
Flooded Areas: Support
(Calder Valley) (Con)
6. What recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State
for Housing, Communities and Local Government on reforming the
support package provided to flooded areas. [901647]
The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
()
The Government activated the flood recovery framework in November
2019 and February 2020 to provide support to communities such as
Calderdale, where 100 mm of rain fell in just 12 hours, causing
extensive flooding. I extend my thanks to all those involved in
the responses to recent floods, including those in Calderdale; I
thank the local council, the Environment Agency, the military and
emergency services for all their hard work.
As my right hon. Friend is aware, the funding package comes from
several different Departments and, in the case of an isolated
incident like that of the Calder Valley after Storm Ciara, and
even after 1,200 properties were flooded, Government support for
households was not triggered. Will he ensure that support by way
of an off-the-shelf package is available for any affected area in
future and that no area has to wait nine days again for support?
My hon. Friend raises an important point. We are having
discussions across government about having a consistent threshold
above which the flood recovery framework might be activated. On
Storm Ciara, which affected his constituency very badly, in the
event, we decided to treat Storms Ciara and Dennis as a single
episode, which meant that Calderdale did qualify for the same
support that other areas had.
Support for Farmers
(North West Durham)
(Con)
7. What steps the Government are taking to ensure that farmers
benefit from the Government's proposal to move from land-based to
environmental enhancement-based support. [901648]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food
and Rural Affairs ()
Our new environmental land management scheme will reward farmers
and other land managers for delivering environmental public
goods. We are committed to co-designing the scheme with
stakeholders to produce the best possible outcomes for both the
environment and our farmers and land managers. We are currently
running a programme of tests and trials, which will be followed
by a three-year national pilot, commencing in late 2021. The
scheme will roll out from late 2024 across England.
Mr Holden
Although my upland farmers in Weardale are already working on
schemes such as peat restoration and afforestation, my lowland
farmers are particularly concerned that they might miss out on
some of these environmental schemes. What reassurance can my hon.
Friend give me that these schemes will be available to all?
I thank my hon. Friend for that pertinent question. New schemes
will be for all farmers, in all areas and for all types of
landscape. At the moment, farmers can enter our new countryside
stewardship agreements, which start from January 2021. Those who
sign up to the improved scheme and who wish to enter the new
environmental land management scheme will be able to leave their
countryside stewardship agreements at agreed exit points, without
penalty. Lots of farmers were concerned about that issue, but it
is now clear that they can do that. Financial assistance under
the environmental land management scheme will be available for
all farmers and land managers, including lowland farmers in the
country who undertake the eligible activities.
National Food Strategy
(Tiverton and Honiton)
(Con)
9. When the Government plan to publish the national food
strategy. [901651]
The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
()
As my hon. Friend is aware, Henry Dimbleby is leading an
independent review of the food system to develop recommendations
to shape a national food strategy. The review was launched in
June 2019. A vision for the food system is scheduled for
publication in the spring of this year, and the review’s final
recommendations will be published over the winter. The Government
will then respond to those within six months.
In these moments of great crisis when we need food, there is no
doubt that home-produced food is more important than ever. I
would really love it if the food strategy incorporates how we are
going to produce more home-produced food. Further to the question
from the hon. Member for Angus (), I am looking forward to the
Secretary of State supporting the amendment from the Environment,
Food and Rural Affairs Committee to maintain high standards on
food imports. Can that all be incorporated into the food
strategy?
My hon. Friend makes an important point. Events such as those we
are experiencing now remind everyone that a critical component of
our food security is healthy and vibrant domestic production,
which is why we have committed in the Agriculture Bill to review
our food security every five years. That will include a review of
the health of the food supply chain and food production in this
country.
(Blaenau Gwent) (Lab)
What steps are the Government taking to adapt the seasonal
workers scheme to support farmers in this important growing
season?
The hon. Gentleman raises an important point. If there is
disruption to people visiting the UK as a result of restrictions
put in place, or general concern in other countries, that may
have an impact on the number of seasonal workers who come here
from countries such as Bulgaria. We are working with the industry
and the National Farmers Union to assess the situation, and we
will be working on proposals to address it before May and June,
which is when it is likely to present itself as an issue.
Topical Questions
(Milton Keynes North)
(Con)
T1. If he will make a statement on his departmental
responsibilities. [901654]
The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
()
The covid-19 pandemic presents significant challenges for our
country and, indeed, the rest of the world. It is currently my
primary focus. I have been holding regular calls with key players
in the food supply chain, to ensure that we take whatever steps
are necessary to enable our food producers, distributors and
retailers to meet an increase in demand. I wish to record my
thanks to all those who work in the food industry—whether on a
production line, driving a delivery vehicle or in a
supermarket—for all the hard work they are putting in at this
difficult time.
Our farmers are famously hardy folk, but like everybody else they
are not immune to the effects of coronavirus, and nor are farm
businesses. What further support will be available to farmers?
Earlier this week the Chancellor unveiled a package of measures
to support all businesses, and some farmers would qualify for
that. I am having regular meetings with the National Farmers
Union to address any concerns that it might have. The NFU’s
principal concern, in common with many other industries in the
food supply chain, is the potential pressures on staff.
(Newport West) (Lab)
The shadow Secretary of State and I have spoken to fishers and
their representative organisations right across the UK in recent
days, and they are worried. In just the past week, the market
value of fish landed by British fishers has fallen to 20% of
normal rates. There are significant concerns about the viability
of the UK fishing industry, especially the small boats that are
the backbone of the British fleet. Many fishers are telling us
that they will go bust in the next two weeks. Does the Secretary
of State agree that we must take whatever steps are necessary to
support fishers and the fishing industry to cope with the
pressures of the covid-19 crisis?
I obviously agree that our fishing industry is incredibly
important. The best way we can help it is to get the markets
moving again. I understand that there is a particular issue with
disruption to markets in the European Union, which is
contributing to the situation. Officials had meetings yesterday
with fishing representatives, and I am looking for some feedback
from that to agree what we do next.
(Aylesbury) (Con)
T3. Many of the farms in the countryside around Aylesbury are
very small and often run just by families, so there is limited
capacity to cover for sickness. What assessment has the
Department made of the impact on very small farms if many of the
people who work on them succumb to coronavirus? [901656]
My hon. Friend raises an important point: it is not just those
employers with large numbers of staff that could face challenges;
it could be those with a very small number of staff, or those
with no staff, who operate alone. We are working with the
National Farmers Union and others to work out ways to address
this issue. It will require friendly and supportive neighbourly
behaviour in some cases.
(Dulwich and West Norwood)
(Lab)
T2. Given the established links between air pollution and poor
lung health, and the knowledge that poor lung health is a risk
factor for covid-19, what steps is the Secretary of State taking
to understand the additional support that may be needed to enable
areas across the UK with the worst air quality to mitigate risks
and keep people safe during the pandemic? [901655]
The hon. Lady raises an important point. The Government have
given specific guidance to those considered most at risk,
including the over-70s. There will be additional support for
those with clinical issues that make them especially at risk.
(New Forest West) (Con)
T5. Delivery slots should be reserved for the vulnerable. Will
the Secretary of State stop them being hogged by people who are
quite capable of getting to the shops? [901661]
My right hon. Friend makes an important point. During this
situation, we need everybody to be considerate to others. A
number of supermarkets have piloted the idea of a reserved hour
at the start of each day for the elderly and most vulnerable.
That appears to be working and we will encourage others to do
that. There is a limited amount of delivery capacity—currently
about 7% of the market—but we will increase that if we can.
(Warley) (Lab)
T4. As part of the key worker strategy, will the Secretary of
State recognise the crucial importance of food and drink
manufacturing and distribution in the food chain? In discussions
about the long-term sustainability of the industry, can he and
his colleagues persuade the Treasury to abandon its dogma for
public purchasing that cheapest is always best? [901658]
When it comes to public procurement, for a number of years, we
have had an approach called the balanced scorecard, which means
that it is not all about price and that our procurement
authorities should also take into account quality and other
factors, too.
(Clwyd West) (Con)
The spring selling season will soon be upon us. Across the
country, against the background of the coronavirus crisis,
farmers will be concerned to establish whether they will be able
to buy and sell their livestock. Can the Secretary of State give
any reassurance to farmers as to the extent to which they will be
able to use their local farmers auction markets?
We are looking into that issue, but it is obviously critical to
keep the food supply chain moving.
(Sefton Central) (Lab)
Supermarket queues are undoubtedly adding to the spread of
coronavirus, not least because of a lack of social distancing.
Doing whatever it takes means that there needs to be a sense of
urgency from Government Ministers that simply has not been on
display thus far across Government. [Interruption.] I am sorry,
but it is true. People need to see a much greater sense of
urgency. Queues need to be tackled to prevent the spread within
supermarkets. Will the Secretary of State, with Cabinet
colleagues, today implement and enforce social distancing in
supermarkets to reduce the spread in that part of society?
We will not take that measure. It was done in Italy through a
restriction on the number of people in stores, but they found
that they had hundreds of people huddled together at the entrance
to the store, so it was counterproductive.
(Witney) (Con)
There is growing concern in West Oxfordshire about the condition
of the River Windrush, and particularly sewage discharge. We
urgently need the Environment Agency and Thames Water to work
together to clean it up. When the immediate emergency has eased,
will the Secretary of State visit to see the river’s condition
and help me to work with those two parties to make a real
difference?
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food
and Rural Affairs ()
Such incidents are an issue for the Environment Agency, which is
the first port of call in a pollution incident. Water companies
have water management plans and, under the new Environment Bill,
will have to have sewage management plans as well, which will
help. Of course I will meet my hon. Friend to discuss the issue.
(City of Chester)
(Lab)
I understand that in 2019, the Department for Environment, Food
and Rural Affairs and FareShare worked on a pilot scheme to make
sure that surplus food was diverted to people who needed it. That
is still being evaluated. When will Ministers come up with the
evaluation? Is now not a good time to put the scheme into
practice?
As I said, we are working with food banks and retailers to ensure
that they have the supply of food they need through schemes such
as FareShare.
(Blackpool South) (Con)
I am sure that all hon. Members welcome the additional investment
in flood and coastal defences in last week’s Budget. Will the
ministerial team continue to work with local authorities such as
Calderdale, which was flooded recently, to ensure that existing
gaps in flood defence schemes are addressed?
I thank my hon. Friend for that question. The Government are
making a massive commitment to flood spending and they have
increased the current programme from £2.6 billion to £5.2 billion
between 2021 and 2027. They will be working with all areas that
have floods, listening to concerns and considerations to learn
lessons from what happened this time and using the current grant
system, but I, the Secretary of State and the Ministry for
Housing, Communities and Local Government are considering how the
whole project might be improved.
