Pubs as Takeaway Restaurants
(Wantage) (Con)
Whether he plans to promote pubs as takeaway restaurants during
the covid-19 outbreak. [902733]
(West Bromwich West)
(Con)
Whether he plans to promote pubs as takeaway restaurants during
the covid-19 outbreak. [902747]
The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
()
The Government welcome the reopening of food-to-go businesses in
line with social distancing measures and have relaxed planning
rules so that pubs and restaurants can operate as hot food
takeaways. We published guidance for restaurants offering
takeaway or delivery services, which has been widely welcomed by
the sector. The UK Government, along with the devolved
Administrations, are working closely with the food and drink and
hospitality sectors to support their gradual reopening and
continued operations.
[V]
I thank my right hon. Friend for that answer. Pubs like the Fleur
De Lys in East Hagbourne have been doing a great job, with
takeaway pints of beer and food three nights a week, from fish
and chips to roasts. Can he confirm that he actively encourages
that but knows that it is not a substitute for being properly
open and that the Government will work with pubs to guide them on
how they can do so safely as soon as possible?
We were very clear when we imposed the original restrictions at
the point of lockdown that those did not extend to takeaway food
outlets. We were clear that we wanted to support those pubs and
restaurants that wanted to remain open, offering takeaway food.
Those that have done have made an important contribution to our
food supply at this difficult time, and we very much welcome the
steps they have taken. Of course, we also recognise that until
things return to something closer to normal and they can reopen
normally—hopefully later this summer—that will not give them all
the trade they previously had.
[V]
I am encouraged by my right hon. Friend’s response. Our pubs are
at the heart of the communities I represent in Wednesbury,
Oldbury and Tipton. What work will he be undertaking alongside
his colleagues across Government and, more importantly, on a
regional level with our West Midlands Mayor, , to ensure that pubs in the
Black Country have all the means necessary to survive and thrive
again once the crisis is over?
My hon. Friend makes an important point. Pubs are at the heart of
our community, and the fact that they have been forced to close
has caused difficulty for many of them. As the Prime Minister has
outlined, we intend that the hospitality sector, including pubs,
will be able to tentatively start gradually opening, hopefully
during the month of July, subject to the epidemiology supporting
such a move. We are already working with the hospitality and pub
sector to identify what social distancing measures they might be
able to put in place to make that work properly.
Supermarket Supply Chains
(Ruislip, Northwood and
Pinner) (Con)
What steps he is taking to ensure the maintenance of supermarket
supply chains during the covid-19 outbreak. [902734]
The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
()
We have worked closely with retailers and suppliers to ensure the
security of supply chains, while also protecting staff safety. I
would like to put on record again my thanks to the sector for
demonstrating such resilience and flexibility in the face of the
crisis. Staff have worked around the clock to ensure that people
have the food they need. To support industry, we have introduced
temporary measures, including temporary relaxations to
competition law, and extended delivery hour regulations, and we
have published guidance to help to ensure that workplaces and
retail spaces are as safe as possible.
[V]
To support the resilience of the supermarkets and food shops on
which my constituents in Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner depend,
what steps is my right hon. Friend taking to ensure that people
who work in food supply and food retail are able to access
priority testing for covid-19, so that they can get back to work?
I can reassure my hon. Friend that all essential workers,
including all those involved in the food supply chain, are
eligible for testing. We are working with the food sector to
ensure that employees who are either self-isolating with symptoms
of the coronavirus or who have a symptomatic household member are
able to access those tests. Eligible workers who are
self-isolating can apply for a test directly online or can be
referred for a test by their employer.
(Cambridge) (Lab)
The resilience of the food supply chains has been impressive, and
we thank all those who work on our farms and in processing
factories and the pickers, delivery drivers and, of course, shop
workers who have kept the food flowing to our supermarkets. The
foolish dismantling of the seasonal agricultural workers scheme,
now made worse by the covid crisis, means that we face an
alarming shortfall in the 70,000 experienced people needed to
pick our crops. The laudable “Pick for Britain” campaign may
help, but it was reported only a few weeks ago that of the 50,000
applicants, only 112 had made it into the field. Can the
Secretary of State tell us what those figures are today and what
is his plan B?
We estimate that only about a third of the east European
workforce who would usually come to work on our farms are here or
have continued to come. That means that we will need a British
workforce to step up and assist in getting the harvest in this
year, and we are very encouraged by the results so far. The hon.
Gentleman is right that a few weeks ago, when it was early in the
season, there were not many jobs. But we are now approaching the
peak season in June, and employers are starting to recruit more
and more British workers. For instance, G’s salads currently has
more than 400 British people working on its farms today
Food Supply
(Wellingborough) (Con)
What assessment he has made of the adequacy of the supply of food
during the covid-19 outbreak. [902738]
The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
()
The food industry has responded quickly and impressively to the
significant changes in demand that we have seen over the past
month. That has ensured supply into stores and people’s homes
across the country, and has demonstrated that the supply chain
remains resilient. The Government have supported the industry
with proportionate and temporary relaxations of competition law
and drivers’ hours and extended delivery hours.
Mr Bone
The Secretary of State is absolutely right: British farmers have
been brilliant in getting food on the table. Does he agree,
therefore, that there is no need for US-style industrial factory
farming of poultry in this country, and will he look into the
rotten proposal from my constituency, which I wrote to him about
on 15 April?
I am aware, as it has been drawn to my attention, following my
hon. Friend’s question, that there is a letter that I have yet to
respond to; I will respond to that. Obviously, the issues that he
has raised are predominantly issues for the environment agencies
that carry out such environmental assessments. He mentions
US-style poultry. Obviously, some approaches to poultry farming
in the US will not be lawful in the United Kingdom, so I can
reassure him on that.
(Edinburgh North and Leith)
(SNP) [V]
The adequacy of the food supply includes the nutritional values
and the production standards. The Government whipped their Back
Benchers to vote against maintaining food standards for imports
in the Agriculture Bill, and now we are hearing that it is a fire
sale in the US trade deal. How can the public ensure that the
food in our shops remains of the same quality as it is now?
This Government have a very clear manifesto commitment that we
will protect our food standards in all our trade negotiations.
Certain practices, such as chlorine washes on chicken or hormones
in beef, are subject to a prohibition on sale in the UK, and that
law remains in place. It is also the case that, as we advance
trade negotiations with all third countries, animal welfare is
one of the issues that we will be seeking to promote.
Supermarkets: Good Hygiene and Social Distancing
(Blyth Valley) (Con)
What steps he is taking to promote (a) good hygiene and (b)
social distancing in supermarkets. [902739]
(Bexleyheath and Crayford)
(Con)
What steps he is taking to promote (a) good hygiene and (b)
social distancing in supermarkets. [902744]
The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
()
From the outset, we have worked extensively with retailers and
Public Health England to establish best practice and publish
guidance on social distancing and hygiene, to keep staff and
customers safe. Industry has adapted effectively and quickly, and
measures introduced include signage and floor markings to help
customers maintain distance, screens at tills and limits on the
number of customers in store.
[V]
On a recent visit to my local supermarket in Blyth, I was pleased
to see that the supermarkets are taking all the necessary
precautions to try to protect the public while they are out
shopping. Those include cleaning stations, markings on the floor
and regular announcements to tell people to maintain social
distance. Does my right hon. Friend agree that, as measures are
relaxed and we move forward, we must all be aware and mindful
while out shopping, to protect not only ourselves but the staff,
who have been providing an invaluable service during this
pandemic?
On the latter point, I take the opportunity to pay tribute to all
those key workers working throughout our food supply chain, from
those working on farms to those working in logistics and food
manufacturing, and of course those working in our supermarkets.
They have helped to ensure that the nation has remained fed, and
the work that they have done has been truly phenomenal.
I also agree with my hon. Friend that as we seek to evolve the
current restrictions and move back to something closer to life as
normal, we all have a great deal that we can learn from the
measures that have been put in place by supermarkets—and also in
factory environments by our food processors.
[V]
I congratulate my local Sainsbury’s stores in Erith Road,
Barnehurst, and in Crayford on their good organisation and
friendly staff. Does my right hon. Friend agree that other
businesses will be able to learn lessons from the actions taken
by supermarkets to ensure good hygiene and social distancing?
My right hon. Friend is absolutely right: our supermarket
retailers acted within hours—certainly within 24 hours—to
implement social distancing when lockdown occurred. They acted
swiftly, and we have learned a lot along the way, in conjunction
with Public Health England. I can tell my right hon. Friend that
the experiences of our supermarkets and food manufacturers have
been shared extensively with the Department for Business, Energy
and Industrial Strategy, as it has developed safer-working
protocols for other parts of the economy, because we
can—absolutely—learn from the steps that supermarkets and others
have taken.
Food Security
(Cardiff North) (Lab)
What assessment he has made of the risk to food security from the
covid-19 outbreak. [902743]
The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
()
The coronavirus response has exemplified the resilience of the UK
food supply chain. Industry has responded quickly to significant
changes in demand to ensure that people have the food they need.
In the initial few weeks, when there was an episode of panic
buying, our food manufacturers increased output by some 50%.
Although our food security depends on both international trade
and domestic production, this crisis has brought home the crucial
importance of domestic food production. We are fortunate to have
some of the most innovative food manufacturers and producers in
the world, and I pay tribute to all they have done in recent
months.
[V]
Between April and September last year, the Trussell Trust
reported a 23% rise in the number of food parcels provided across
the UK. As of April this year, the figure has doubled. Given the
World Bank’s recent warning of a covid-19 worldwide food price
spike, as well as the alarming rise in unemployment we have seen
today, what steps is the Secretary of State taking to alleviate
the shameful growth in food poverty?
We recognise that, as a result of the coronavirus crisis, the
financial vulnerability of households has also increased. That is
why, last week, the Government announced a new £16 million fund
to support food charities, including refuges and homeless
hostels. The food will be distributed by our existing partners in
FareShare.
(Plymouth, Sutton and
Devonport) (Lab/Co-op)
Food bank demand is surging, up on average by between 60% and 80%
from pre-virus levels. Now, unemployment is soaring, up by nearly
70% last month. It is clear that we need measures that match the
scale of the crisis. Last week, the Secretary of State whipped
his MPs to reject Labour’s sensible proposals for an emergency
coronavirus food plan. With The Times reporting that the Prime
Minister is now keen on a food plan of his own, dealing with
obesity and coronavirus, will the Secretary of State confirm that
the Government’s urgently needed food strategy, which must
include a coronavirus focus, will be published before the
recession bites?
The food strategy that is being developed by Henry Dimbleby, one
of our non-executive directors, will involve an initial report in
the autumn setting out the approach and the nature of the
challenges, and the final report is expected in the early part of
next year.
UK Food Producers
(South Norfolk) (Con)
What recent steps he has taken to promote UK food producers.
[902746]
The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
()
Our food and farming industry plays a crucial role in challenging
times, and we are co-funding a £1 million campaign to promote
milk, alongside industry and devolved Government partners. We are
also supporting the fishing industry by promoting a wide variety
of seafood species from UK waters. A further campaign is
promoting beef across the devolved nations, and our Food is GREAT
campaign, which showcases internationally products from across
our four nations, has delivered successful trade and consumer
focused marketing activities.
Mr Bacon [V]
Given that there is already mandatory country of origin labelling
for fish, fruit, vegetables, eggs, wine, honey, olive oil and
beef, does the Secretary of State agree that now is the right
time for mandatory country of origin labelling for all meat, so
that consumers can never be misled by dodgy imports produced in
conditions that would be unlawful here and which are sold as if
they were British?
As my hon. Friend has pointed out, there has been a long-standing
legal provision for mandatory country of origin labelling on
beef, in which, to claim that the country of origin is the UK,
the animal must be born, reared and slaughtered in the UK. Those
regulations on mandatory country of origin labelling were
extended several years ago to cover all principal meat species.
They do not yet extend to processed goods that might contain
multiple goods, but there have been significant steps forward in
broadening the scope of mandatory country of origin labelling.
Financial Support for Food Producers
John Mc Nally (Falkirk) (SNP)
What additional financial support he plans to provide to food
producers to mitigate the effect of the covid-19 outbreak.
[902760]
(Edinburgh East) (SNP)
What additional financial support he plans to provide to food
producers to mitigate the effect of the covid-19 outbreak.
[902766]
The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
()
We are working closely with the agriculture and fishing
industries to manage the negative impacts of covid-19. In
addition to HM Treasury’s financial support packages, the
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has announced
support schemes for the dairy and fishing industries, and we
continue to monitor other sectors.
John Mc Nally [V]
Will DEFRA Ministers go further and insist with their
counterparts in the Department for International Trade on high
standards for animal welfare, phytosanitary and food production
imports to protect our domestic food producers?
The Government are very clear—and it was set out in our
manifesto—that we will not compromise on our high food and animal
welfare standards as we approach trade agreements. Specifically,
that means that the UK will determine its own domestic standards
when it comes to the so-called SPS chapter—those sanitary and
phytosanitary issues—relating in particular to food safety. Those
will be set at a UK level and we will not abandon or change those
standards in response to demands from other countries.
[V]
I note that today’s announcement by the Department for
International Trade does not change agricultural tariffs, so how
will DEFRA Ministers ensure that the new tariff regimes after
Brexit continue to favour our long-established and profitable
trade in that sector with member states of the European Union?
How will they ensure that the tariffs prevent our marketplace
from being flooded with low-quality products from elsewhere in
the world?
The new UK global tariff that has been announced today does
retain tariffs for most key agricultural products, including
those sensitive agricultural products that are often discussed in
this House. The answer to the hon. Gentleman’s question is that
we would seek to grant tariff-free access to EU trading partners
in future through a free trade agreement, and we have set out
clearly the legal text of an acceptable free trade agreement
should our partners wish to enter into such an agreement.
Maintaining those agricultural tariffs also ensures that we do
not expose our market in the short term to lower-standard
products from other countries.
Covid-19 Lockdown: Air Quality
(Manchester, Withington)
(Lab)
What assessment he has made of the effect on air quality of the
reduction in the use of motor vehicles during the covid-19
lockdown. [902740]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food
and Rural Affairs () [V]
It is an absolute pleasure to be taking part today, Mr Speaker,
although nothing really makes up for being there in person with
you.
DEFRA’s roadside air quality monitoring stations continuously
monitor air quality. Between 23 March and 5 May, nitrogen dioxide
concentrations were, on average, 46% lower than this time last
year, with reductions ranging from 9% to 65% at individual
locations. That is largely due to the substantial reduction in
traffic levels, although other factors such as weather may also
have had some impact. Interestingly, concentrations of other air
pollutants, such as fine particulate matter, have not shown
similar trends.
[V]
I thank the Minister for her answer. That is some small good
news, I guess, out of lockdown. In Manchester’s sister city of
Wuhan in China, private car use nearly doubled when the lockdown
ended, with the obvious effects on air quality. Is the Minister
concerned that the Prime Minister’s statement of 10 May
encouraged the use of cars?
It has been made very clear in all the guidance and by the Prime
Minister that, first and foremost, if people can work from home,
they should do so. Those who have to go to work were advised to
go by car, and also to cycle and walk. I thank the hon. Gentleman
very much for his question, because he strikes a good note. He
will know that the uptake of cycling has surged during this time,
especially where businesses are providing a scheme so that their
employees can have bikes. He will also know that the Prime
Minister has announced that we are phasing out new petrol and
diesel vehicles by 2035—earlier, if possible. Lessons will be
learnt. The Air Quality Expert Group has been conducting a big
survey, and I know that the hon. Gentleman will be interested in
the results when they are revealed.
Mr Speaker
Before I bring in the shadow Minister, may I just ask Ministers
to speed up the answers? We have to get through some more
Members.
(Brighton, Kemptown)
(Lab/Co-op)
It is my first time appearing opposite the Minister; hopefully we
will have many fruitful discussions.
There is growing evidence that deaths due to covid are higher in
areas of bad air quality, but lockdown means that right now we
are breathing the cleanest air that we have had in generations.
We need to do all we can to ensure that many of the survivors of
covid, who will have weakened lungs, are protected. Air pollution
currently kills 40,000 people each year, with 40 of our towns
breaking the World Health Organisation limit. The Government and
the Minister dismissed putting targets in the Environment Bill,
but surely covid has changed all that. Will the Minister sit down
with us and agree a form of wording that will require Ministers
to set targets on air quality in order to reach the WHO standard
by 2030 and help save British lives?
As the hon. Gentleman alludes to, the Environment Bill delivers
key parts of the clean air strategy and introduces a duty to set
an ambitious, legally binding target on PM concentrations of
pollutants of greatest harm. I know that he will also be
interested in the independent Air Quality Expert Group, which has
been analysing the situation so that we can learn lessons from
coronavirus, and from air quality and its potential impact on
human lives. Air quality is a serious issue for human health.
Commercial and Household Waste Collection
Mr (South West Hertfordshire)
(Con)
What steps he is taking to ensure that (a) commercial and (b)
household waste continues to be collected during the covid-19
outbreak. [902742]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food
and Rural Affairs () [V]
DEFRA officials are working with local authorities and industry
to ensure that commercial and household waste can continue to be
collected safely during the coronavirus outbreak. I pay tribute
to and thank all those working in local authorities and the waste
sector who have ensured that nearly all household waste
collections in England are operating as normal. On 5 May, DEFRA
published guidance to help local authorities to reopen household
waste and recycling centres.
Does my hon. Friend agree that waste collection is an integral
part of ensuring health and wellbeing during this global
pandemic? I know that she has thanked key workers, but would she
particularly thank key workers in South West Herts? I am sure
that they would appreciate her comments.
Of course, I would be delighted to thank those key workers. We
must not forget that those who work in the waste sector are key
workers, and they have done a tremendous job in keeping our waste
systems flowing, with a terrific record of 91% maintaining normal
collection services from our households during this difficult
period. Many are now working in the waste and recycling centres
that I am pleased to say have opened, and that are working
efficiently in almost every area—albeit with strict guidance and
slightly different services from those that they were operating
before.
Covid-19 Death and Infection Rate: Air Quality
(Swansea West)
(Lab/Co-op)
What discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for
Health and Social Care on the relationship between air quality
and the rate of (a) death and (b) infection from covid-19.
[902749]
(Nottingham South)
(Lab)
What discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for
Health and Social Care on the link between air quality and the
exacerbation of covid-19 symptoms. [902765]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food
and Rural Affairs () [V]
DEFRA has had extensive discussions with the Department of Health
and Social Care on the relationship between air quality and
health, recently considering the specific relationship between
covid-19 deaths and air quality. DEFRA is actively working with
Public Health England and the Office for National Statistics to
assess further the relationship for the UK, and DEFRA’s chief
scientific adviser is working with relevant experts in health,
disease and air quality to assess the relationship between air
quality and the risk of infection, based on the emerging
scientific research into covid-19.
[V]
Research from Harvard University suggests that a change of 1
microgram per cubic metre of PM2.5 leads to a 15% reduction in
covid deaths, and Queen Mary University of London has shown that
short-term pollution gives rise to more infection. Will the
Minister and the Secretary of State meet me and the academics
from Harvard and Queen Mary on 29 May at the all-party
parliamentary group on air pollution to discuss this, with a view
to introducing World Health Organisation air quality standards
into the Environment Bill?
I know that the hon. Gentleman works very hard in this area. The
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Public Health
England and the ONS are working together to assess whether there
is evidence of association between exposure to particulates—the
PM2.5 that he refers to—and covid-19 mortality in the UK. The
clean air strategy sets out the comprehensive action required
across all parts of Government to improve air quality for
everyone, and it includes measures to reduce key sources that
contribute to fine particulate matter. Because of the lockdown, I
think joining the APPG would be difficult, but I would be very
interested to have some feedback from that meeting.
[V]
Tens of thousands of lives cut short every year—that was the UK’s
air quality health emergency long before we had even heard of
coronavirus. As my hon. Friend the Member for Swansea West
() said, we now know that
there is a strong correlation between long-term exposure to air
pollution and covid-19 deaths, so clean air zones are needed more
than ever. However, Nottingham’s taxi drivers tell me they are
worried about their ability to invest in new clean electric
vehicles as a result of lost income, and other businesses face
similar pressures. As we come out of lockdown, how will the
Government support local councils and small businesses to go even
faster to protect the public from toxic air?
As the hon. Lady will know, we have supported Nottingham City
Council to tackle its nitrogen dioxide exceedance through a £1
million investment to support the uptake of e-taxis and £1.7
million to retrofit 171 buses, which means that there is not a
need for a clean air zone. Nottingham is also one of the Go Ultra
Low cities. My officials will be working closely with and will be
very interested to speak to Nottingham City Council to see how
the impacts of coronavirus are affecting its plans. They are
doing that with all local authorities across the country, just to
keep a weather eye on how coronavirus will impact our new clean
air zones and our drive to reduce air pollution, which of course
is all important.
