Sewage Discharges: East Devon Simon Jupp (East Devon) (Con) 1. What
steps her Department is taking to help reduce sewage discharges in
East Devon constituency.(903648) The Secretary of State for
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Dr Thérèse Coffey) My hon.
Friend will know, regrettably, of the poor environmental
performance of South West Water, with the second highest number of
pollution incidents in the country. That is completely unacceptable
for his...Request free trial
Sewage Discharges: East Devon
(East Devon) (Con)
1. What steps her Department is taking to help reduce sewage
discharges in East Devon constituency.(903648)
The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
(Dr Thérèse Coffey)
My hon. Friend will know, regrettably, of the poor environmental
performance of South West Water, with the second highest number
of pollution incidents in the country. That is completely
unacceptable for his constituents, and South West Water can, and
must, do better. Meanwhile, it is subject to an ongoing criminal
investigation led by the Environment Agency, which must be
allowed to run its due course.
The Conservative party and Government have brought in the
toughest ever crackdown on sewage spills. We are holding failing
water companies to account, including the one-star rated South
West Water, which was fined £13 million last year, and rightly
so. Does my right hon. Friend agree that South West Water must
clean up its act and our water?
Dr Coffey
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. South West Water continues to
be a poor performing company, which is unacceptable. That is why
I called in the worst performing water companies at the end of
last year, including the chief executive of South West Water.
Those companies must take urgent steps to significantly reduce
their pollution incidents, and we will ensure that they continue
to be held to account. That is why I have asked water companies
to provide individual reduction plans for each of the combined
sewer overflows.
(Tiverton and Honiton)
(LD)
Sewage discharged into the River Otter flows through east Devon
and my neighbouring constituency. The Government have adopted a
Liberal Democrat amendment to the UK Infrastructure Bank Bill,
which will make water companies produce costed, time-limited
plans to stop sewage discharges before they can borrow taxpayers’
money. Although I am pleased that the Secretary of State and her
colleagues have adopted my amendment, I wonder why they did not
think of it themselves.
Dr Coffey
I do not think it is the intention of the UK Infrastructure Bank
to be investing in the water companies —that is not expected to
be its purpose. The amendment—dare I say it?—was perfectly nice,
and of course the Government were happy to recommend it. This is
important. It has been an ongoing issue for some time, and
Liberal Democrat people have been water Ministers as well. We
need to face these issues, and the fact that stuff has not been
tackled. I am pleased that this Conservative Government are
getting a grip and making a much harder effort to ensure a
reduction in sewage pollution incidents.
Mr Speaker
I call the shadow Secretary of State, .
(Oldham West and Royton)
(Lab/Co-op)
The Environment Secretary first said that it was not a priority
to meet water bosses, and then she said that it was and that she
really did care—or words to that effect. She then said that she
would come forward with a plan and big fines, but there were no
plans and no fines. She then said that there would be a plan, but
that the water companies will do it, not the Government, and that
there might be fines, but only if the water companies agree to
that. We now discover that Ofwat has watered down the rules
intended to hold water companies to account, actively removing
any reference to the consideration of local communities and local
economies. On a scale of one to 10, how does the Secretary of
State rate her Government’s record on ending the Tory sewage
scandal?
Dr Coffey
I have great confidence in the Under-Secretary of State for
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member
for Taunton Deane (), who continues to meet water
companies, as do I. If the hon. Gentleman goes back and looks at
the record of the Labour Government, he will see that they failed
to deal with the urban waste water initiatives. The European
Commission contacted them, took action against them, and took the
Labour Government to court for failing to deal with sewage. That
is what happened; that is the real history. When the
Conservatives and the coalition Government came into power, we
started working on leaks and making strategic policy statements,
and we started the monitoring. None of that happened under a
Labour Government. The hon. Gentleman can spew out as much
rubbish as he wants, but the reality is that the Labour
Government did nothing about it. This Conservative Government are
fixing it, making it harder, and that is what we will continue to
do.
Oh my God. I have confidence in the Under-Secretary of State for
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the hon. Member for Taunton
Deane (), who is doing a good job in
very difficult circumstances to try to make progress, but I do
not agree with the Environment Secretary passing the buck to a
junior Minister, which is not on. Ultimately, those at the top
take responsibility. It is high time the Secretary of State did
just that.
I am proud of the Labour Government’s record. We had the cleanest
water and the cleanest air since the industrial revolution. That
is the Labour record, and it is a scandal that it was not built
on further. The abuse of water does not stop there. Let us hear
from the North East Fishing Collective, which had the door
slammed on it on the scandal of crustacean die-offs on Teesside.
It is concerned that livelihoods, jobs and generational pride
have been impacted by the Government’s indifference:
“The entire fishing fleet in Hartlepool is finished. There’s no
business left. They failed us when we begged them to listen, so
now we will have to fight”.
I ask the Secretary of State, for the second time, to rate her
Government’s performance on the water scandal that is polluting
our country.
Dr Coffey
The hon. Gentleman should withdraw his earlier comments, because
he has, perhaps unintentionally, misled the House. I hope he has
the grace to withdraw.
Leading scientific advisers reviewed the crustacean die-offs, and
it was published to the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Committee and the House. We understand that a novel pathogen is
the most likely explanation for what happened in the north-east.
I continue to work with the Under-Secretary of State for
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member
for Taunton Deane, and I take this matter very seriously, but I
am conscious that, unlike the Labour Government who in their
responses to the European Commission denied that there was a
problem and were successfully taken to court, this Government
have continued to act and will continue to do so.
Food Costs
(Paisley and Renfrewshire
North) (SNP)
2. What recent discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on
the rising cost of food.(903650)
The Minister for Food, Farming and Fisheries ()
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs works
closely with other Departments and industry to keep abreast of
price trends for food products. We are monitoring the situation
and taking relevant action to maintain an efficient food supply
chain by mitigating against potential burdens or frictions that
could otherwise drive up food prices.
I am tempted to ask the Minister the price of a pint of milk, but
no doubt his officials have put that in his brief.
As UK supermarket price inflation hits record highs, consumers
are paying just under £800 more on their annual shopping bill,
which is in part due to Brexit and the rising cost of animal
feed, energy and fertiliser, with agricultural costs rising by
almost 50% since 2019. Although farmers are fundamental to food
production, they are bearing the brunt of the cost of the food
crisis. Farming is an energy-intensive industry, so why is it not
getting the same level of support as less energy-intensive
sectors? Has the Minister met the Chancellor to discuss how
better to support domestic farming?
The hon. Gentleman tries to blame Brexit, but even he will
recognise that Putin’s invasion of Ukraine caused enormous
ripples around the world, not only in energy prices but in food
prices. Ukraine was the breadbasket of Europe and supplied huge
volumes of cereals. Of course, rising global gas prices caused a
rise in the cost of fertilisers. The Government recognised all
that and tried to help farmers through this process and to assist
them to produce great-quality food.
(North West Leicestershire)
(Ind)
I draw the House’s attention to my entry in the Register of
Members’ Financial Interests, as I am a major share- holder in a
food production company.
What assessment has my right hon. Friend made of the National
Farmers Union’s call to protect home-grown food production?
We have been at this week’s NFU conference to talk directly to
the NFU and to listen to farmers’ concerns. We recognise that
there are huge pressures on UK domestic food producers and
farmers, which is why we are helping them with grants to invest
to make their businesses sustainable for the future.
Mr Speaker
I call the shadow Secretary of State.
(Oldham West and Royton)
(Lab/Co-op)
Farmers from across the country met in Birmingham this week—the
right hon. Gentleman and I sat on the same table for dinner—at an
unprecedented time, with pressures seemingly coming from every
direction to create a perfect storm. Although there might have
been differences about the scale of the impact, there was
consensus that the Environment Secretary had a pretty bad day at
the office. Some described it as a “slow-motion tractor crash” or
“calamity Coffey.” Joking aside, it was an insult to the very
foundation of our food security and hard-working British
farmers.
Everyone has the right to have a bad day at the office —I have
had a fair few myself—but we have a responsibility to reflect on
it and to right the wrong. Will the Environment Secretary, not
the Farming Minister, use this opportunity to apologise?
The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
(Dr Thérèse Coffey)
You know I cannot respond now.
I am very happy for the Farming Minister to apologise on the
Secretary of State’s behalf for her outrageous display at the NFU
conference in Birmingham yesterday. Will he use this
opportunity?
The hon. Gentleman will know that the Secretary of State cannot
answer this question, because of parliamentary procedure; I am
obliged to answer, because I am answering—
Mr Speaker
Let me help. The Secretary of State will be coming in at topical
questions, where she can open with a statement and can respond to
anything she wants to then. I also say to both sides that I am
really bothered that it is nearly quarter to 10 and we are still
only on Question 2. Let us make progress.
Thank you, Mr Speaker. The Secretary of State can speak for
herself, but we had a successful meeting with farmers in
Birmingham. There were some robust exchanges, but that is what we
welcome and we engaged with. We continue to work with the NFU and
other groups that represent the farming industry.
We are going to have the urgent question on food security a bit
later, so I will not labour that at this point. I also thank you
for granting the UQ, Mr Speaker. Will the Minister confirm
whether the Government have convened a cross-government committee
to look at food security in this country and, in particular, the
levers they can deploy? I am referring to financial support for
farmers, support for energy-intensive food producers, and dealing
with labour shortages and all the other issues about which, as he
would have heard in Birmingham, farmers feel very frustrated, as
it does not feel as though progress is being made on them.
Of course, there are Cabinet Office committees that look at all
these challenges, but we in the Department continue to meet
retailers on a regular basis. We are convening a roundtable with
supermarkets to see how we can assist with those supply chain
challenges that we face. We are gripping the situation and trying
to assist where we can. It is down to the market to supply where
it can, but there are huge challenges, including those in Morocco
and Spain that have caused disruptions to food supplies in the UK
at this moment.
Mr Speaker
I call the Scottish National party spokes- person.
(North Ayrshire and Arran)
(SNP)
According to the Office for National Statistics, the consumer
prices index rose by 9.2% in the 12 months to December last year.
Food inflation is at its highest since the 1970s, reaching 16.9%,
making daily essentials such as butter, milk, pasta, eggs and
cooking oil, unaffordable for those who are struggling in the
cost of living crisis. Of course, that comes alongside the
prospect of rationing. Food inflation is not going to fall for
the foreseeable future, so what plans will the Minister put in
place to ensure that affordable supplies of food can be made
available? What steps will he take to make sure that food
inflation falls?
The hon. Lady will be familiar with the huge package of support
that the Chancellor of the Exchequer has put in place for
families across the country, including in her constituency in
Scotland, to help people with the rising cost of energy and food.
That is the right thing to do; it supports those families with
those challenges. There is also cash available for local
authorities to try to help where the situation is very
challenging.
Withdrawal from EU Single Market: Food Production
(Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath)
(Alba)
3. What recent assessment she has made of the impact of the UK’s
withdrawal from the EU single market on trends in the level of
food production.(903651)
The Minister for Food, Farming and Fisheries ()
The Government have delivered the first free trade agreement the
EU has ever reached based on zero tariffs and zero quotas, and
our recent food strategy sets out how we will support a
prosperous agrifood sector.
National Farmers Union of Scotland president Martin Kennedy
recently highlighted the unprecedented period of change, cost and
uncertainty for Scotland’s farmers and crofters driven by Brexit
and now compounded by energy costs and fertiliser costs. Last
year, I met farmers from across my constituency. They were
frustrated by a lack of clarity on a replacement for the common
agricultural policy, and our beef herds are now decreasing in
numbers. This Government were elected on a pledge of matching EU
funding pound for pound, but that has not materialised. Where is
the money and when is it coming?
That simply is not true; £2.4 billion is the budget we have
committed to in the manifesto, and we are making sure, through
this Parliament, that that money continues to go to farmers. Lots
of the issues the hon. Gentleman raises are devolved; his own
Government are not delivering for the farmers in Scotland. In
England, we are rolling out those plans—grants for farmers to
invest in their businesses, and help to assist with their
environmental schemes and to make sure that they are prosperous.
I only hope that he can influence the Scottish Government to give
the same level of support to his farmers.
Climate Change: Nature-based Solutions
(Bristol East) (Lab)
4. What discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for
Energy Security and Net Zero on her Department’s future role in
promoting nature-based solutions to climate change. (903653)
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food
and Rural Affairs ()
Throughout our net zero strategy, and in more detail across the
10 goals and 262 pages of our environmental improvement plan, we
have clearly set out that nature-based solutions to net zero are
at the heart of everything we are doing.
Coastal wetlands have huge potential both in terms of
biodiversity and as carbon sinks, but there is an evidence gap
that means we cannot exploit their potential by attracting full
private and public sector investment. The right hon. Member for
Kingswood () said in his recent net zero
review that that needs to be part of the greenhouse gas
inventory, but we need the evidence base. Can the Minister
clarify whose job it is to conduct that work so that we can fully
maximise the potential of wetlands? Is it her Department, or is
it the new Department for Energy Security and Net Zero?
I reassure the hon. Lady that I whole- heartedly agree with her
on the value of wetlands. I recently attended the Slimbridge
Wetland Centre with the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust and saw for
myself how beneficial wetlands can be. In direct response to her
question, the responsibility in DEFRA lies with me. I look
forward to meeting her to explain exactly how we are creating
more wetlands and how nature-based solutions will feature
throughout our net zero and other strategies.
Rural Farmers
(Caithness, Sutherland and
Easter Ross) (LD)
5. What steps she is taking to support rural farmers.(903655)
(North East Fife)
(LD)
10. What steps she is taking to support rural
farmers.(903660)
The Minister for Food, Farming and Fisheries ()
Our environmental land management schemes are now open to
farmers. The schemes collectively pay farmers to deliver climate
and environmental outcomes alongside food production. We continue
to evolve those offers, recently updating the countryside
stewardship payment rates and bringing forward six new
sustainable farming incentive standards.
The right hon. Gentleman is, I know, a horny-handed son of the
soil, so he will know that some of the finest seed potatoes are
grown in Easter Ross in my constituency. Many of those seed
potatoes are in turn sold to English farms in Lincolnshire and
suchlike—I might say that is one benefit of the Union. May I
press the Minister to tell me what support can be given to those
farmers in England to encourage them to grow more spuds such as
Maris Pipers and hence to buy more seed potatoes from the farmers
in my constituency?
I draw attention to my declaration in the Register of Members’
Financial Interests, but I join the hon. Gentleman in paying
tribute to Scottish seed potato producers. They are undoubtedly
the best seed potatoes available anywhere in Europe, and I know
that is recognised throughout the industry. That is why we are
supporting farmers across England to continue to grow great
British potatoes based on Scottish seed potatoes.
A tight labour market is a reality in agriculture and has been
for some time and, although there may be other factors, we know
Brexit is at the heart of it. That is why we have a seasonal
agricultural worker scheme, but the Government continue to make
decisions on that scheme on a short-term basis, too late for
farmers to plan, so that they cannot invest in crops or
machinery. When will the Government commit, working via the Home
Office, to a five-year rolling programme so that farmers can make
the right decisions for their staff?
The hon. Lady will be aware that this year we have granted an
extra 15,000 visas through the seasonal agricultural worker
scheme. We have also committed to those people being guaranteed a
minimum of 34 hours a week, paid at the national minimum wage.
There is also the option of an extra 10,000 visas if the industry
requires them. We will continue to monitor, with the industry,
how the scheme is working and to support the farmers who require
that labour.
(South Norfolk) (Con)
One of the most important roles for rural farmers is their
ability to offer up land for affordable housing for rural people.
What discussions has my right hon. Friend had with the new
housing Minister about the more vigorous implementation of the
Self-build and Custom House- building Act 2015—and if he has not
yet had any, when does he plan to do so?
My hon. Friend is very astute at getting his pet topic into DEFRA
questions; I pay tribute to the work he has done on self-build.
Of course, we always have discussions with the Department for
Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whose responsibility it
is, about land use and we will be producing a land use framework
later this year.
Mr Speaker
I call the shadow Minister.
(Cambridge) (Lab)
The Minister sometimes characterises my line of questioning as a
touch gloomy, so I will try to cheer him up this morning by
saying how pleased I was to hear his announcement at the NFU
conference that the £2.4 billion per annum of agricultural
support would be ring-fenced and that, if there was underspend in
one year, it would be carried forward into future years. I am
sure we are delighted that the Treasury has become such a kind,
benevolent, caring organisation, but will he just repeat that
promise in the House this morning, and maybe get one of his
officials to write to me to point to where in his Department’s
accounts that money is, so we can all keep an eye on it?
I am glad that we are making progress. If the hon. Gentleman had
only read the Conservative party manifesto at the last election,
he would have known that and would not be as gloomy. I encourage
him to continue monitoring the Conservative party manifesto.
I am happy to confirm, as I did for the hon. Member for Kirkcaldy
and Cowdenbeath (), that £2.4 billion is
ringfenced for the support of farmers—[Interruption.] Where is
it? It is being spent at the moment, as the hon. Member for
Cambridge () will know. Some of it is
being spent on the basic payment scheme, which comes down over
seven years, and we are increasing payments through environmental
land management schemes as the basic payment comes down. It is a
very simple graph: as one comes down, one goes up. We are
supporting farmers up and down this country.
Mr Speaker
I call the SNP spokesperson.
(North Ayrshire and Arran)
(SNP)
Brexit barriers are impacting on exports, and labour and skills
shortages across the economy have exacerbated underlying
inflation, worsening the economic outlook for farmers, who are
already grappling with labour shortages, rising energy and annual
feed costs, and the appalling spectacle of unpicked food rotting
in fields. A one-size approach to labour shortages does not fit
Scotland, whose population is actually falling. What
consideration will the Minister give, with Cabinet colleagues, to
the Scottish rural visa pilot scheme, which is desperately needed
to address Scotland’s specific needs?
As I said to the hon. Member for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath
(), the Government recognise
that there are challenges with labour supply. That is why we
increased the number of visas to 45,000, with the option of an
extra 10,000 if required. The industry has not called on the
extra 10,000 visas at this time, but we remain ready to deploy
them if the industry can demonstrate that they are required.
Bathing Waters: England
(Plymouth, Sutton and
Devonport) (Lab/Co-op)
6. When she will next update the list of designated bathing
waters in England.(903656)
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food
and Rural Affairs ()
The list of designated bathing waters is updated annually, as I
am sure the hon. Member knows. We will give updates for the new
list in May.
As a keen wild swimmer in Devil’s Point and Firestone bay in
Plymouth sound, which is the country’s first national marine
park, I have been working with Plymouth City Council to declare
that really special piece of water a designated bathing water.
May I ask the Minister to don her wetsuit and join me in the sea,
where I can show her not only that incredible piece of water and
the expanding access to it—especially for people from poorer
communities—but, importantly, the raw sewage pipe that
occasionally emits appalling human waste into a special and
environmentally important bit of our sea?
I do wear a wetsuit when I go swimming in the sea—I am a bit of a
coward, but I love to put my wetsuit on and go swimming in the
sea.
As the hon. Gentleman knows, he will have to wait until May to
see where we go with that particular designation, but we already
have 421 designated bathing sites in England as of last year—that
number has gradually been going up. The good news about those
sites is that 93% of them are classed as “excellent” and “good”,
so their record is extremely good. I will take a rain check on
whether I join him for a swim.
(Christchurch) (Con)
Why are there only 421 such sites? People can go wild swimming
anywhere in England and other parts of the United Kingdom. Is
this whole designation scheme not essentially a rationing scheme?
Why do the Government not abandon it and enable people to swim in
bathing waters anywhere?
To be quite honest, one can swim wherever one wants; it is just
that there is a process for what we call designating bathing
waters. In the application for that, one has to demonstrate that
there is sufficient interest in using that site—that high numbers
of people want to use it—and that there are car parking
facilities and public facilities, including loos and so forth.
That is all part of encouraging designated sites, but it is not
to say that people cannot choose, in their own right, to swim
wherever they want.
Fish Stocks
(South East Cornwall)
(Con)
7. What steps her Department is taking to protect fish stocks.
(903657)
The Minister for Food, Farming and Fisheries ()
Our landmark Fisheries Act 2020 sets out the legal framework
within which we manage fish stocks in UK waters, including
fisheries management plans for key stocks. We work with industry
and stakeholders, ensuring that precious fish stocks are managed
to benefit our marine environment, fishing industry and coastal
communities.
Mrs Murray
I recently hosted the National Federation of Fishermen’s
Organisations in Parliament, as the Minister will know, so that
it could launch a report highlighting concerns within the fishing
industry across the UK about the loss of fishing grounds to an
array of pressures, of which offshore wind and marine protected
areas topped the list. What assurances can the Government give
that they will speak to the NFFO and ensure that fishing is an
important factor?
I pay tribute to my hon. Friend for all that she does for the
fishing sector. We welcome the NFFO’s “Spatial Squeeze in
Fisheries” report, which highlights the need for a holistic
approach to spatial planning. I meet regularly with the NFFO to
discuss a wide variety of issues, including spatial
prioritisation and the concerns outlined in that report.
(Stockton North) (Lab)
The Secretary of State and the Minister need to travel to
Teesside to meet people from the fishing and wider community who
are still looking for answers to the ongoing deaths of
crustaceans, fish and other sea life off the coast. If I set it
up, will they come to Teesside and explain what they are going to
do next to find out what is causing this ongoing crisis?
I share the hon. Gentleman’s desire to know the cause of that
terrible disaster. The scientists have looked at this, done a
report and come to the conclusion that it was probably a pathogen
that is very difficult to detect. Unless there is another event,
which I sincerely hope there is not, we may never know the cause
of this event.
Global Food Security
(Gainsborough) (Con)
8. What steps her Department is taking to help strengthen
long-term global food security.(903658)
The Minister for Food, Farming and Fisheries ()
The Government are supporting Ukraine, the breadbasket of Europe,
to export grain to countries most in need, including contributing
£5 million to President Zelensky’s Grain from Ukraine initiative.
The Government are also focused on the long-term drivers of
global food insecurity, including climate change and biodiversity
loss. We are supporting international programmes to improve the
sustainability and resilience of global food systems.
The best form of food security is to grow more of our own food.
Lincolnshire is the breadbasket of England, so it makes no sense
that there are planning proposals to cover 10,000 acres of my
constituency of Gainsborough with solar panels. We are all in
favour of solar panels, but there are millions of acres of flat
warehouse roofs they could go on. Will the Minister change the
planning guidelines so that there is a presumption against
building solar panels on 3b as well as 3a land? In reality, there
is no difference in growing good wheat and barley between 3a and
3b land.
My right hon. Friend will be aware that the Department for
Levelling Up, Housing and Communities is responsible for
planning. The best and most versatile land is defined as land in
grades 1, 2 and 3a of the agricultural land classification, and
the national planning policy framework sets out that local
planning authorities should consider all the benefits of the best
and most versatile land when making plans and decisions on
development proposals. Where significant development of
agricultural land is shown to be necessary, they should seek to
use poorer-quality land in preference to higher-quality land.
(Barnsley Central) (Lab)
Could the Minister give an update on progress with tackling avian
influenza?
Of course. We continue to work closely with the Animal and Plant
Health Agency and Government Veterinary Services to monitor this.
We are working with the sector to make sure we have the best
biosecurity available. There has been a fantastic response from
the sector to improve its biosecurity, but we continue to face
the challenge of avian influenza. The long-term solution to the
challenge is a vaccine, which is not currently available, but we
will give all the support we can to the scientific sector to try
to develop such a vaccine.
Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill
(Edinburgh West) (LD)
9. What discussions she has had with the Leader of the House on
the parliamentary timetable for the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals)
Bill.(903659)
The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
(Dr Thérèse Coffey)
The Bill contains a variety of manifesto commitments that we are
committed to progressing when parliamentary time allows, but the
Leader of the House will continue to announce business in the
usual way.
The 2021 commitment to tackle puppy smuggling via the Animal
Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill was welcomed by a number of my
constituents, but many of them are now concerned, because the
secondary legislation being considered under the frozen Bill
includes provisions to restrict the movement of heavily pregnant
dogs, young puppies and dogs with cropped ears, and the level of
puppy smuggling continues to rise. Can the Secretary of State
provide assurances that the Government will continue to work
towards ending this horrible practice and the movement of these
poor animals across the border?
Dr Coffey
Yes, I can give the hon. Lady that assurance. It is our intention
to deliver the manifesto commitments, and we are doing that in a
number of different ways and have provided legislation to support
a number of those commitments through private Members’ Bills. But
as I say, the Leader of the House will continue to be responsible
for announcing how the business of Government Bills will
progress.
(New Forest West) (Con)
For years, we have told people that we could not do anything
about the cruelty of live export. The Secretary of State will
understand those people’s frustration now that it is in our gift
and in the Bill, won’t she?
Dr Coffey
Indeed. That is why it was a commitment in our manifesto: it is a
freedom that we will be able to deploy having left the European
Union. I am conscious that people are very interested in the
progress of the Bill, but I stand by my earlier answer.
Peatlands
(Bath) (LD)
12. What steps the Government is taking to help restore
peatlands. (903663)
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food
and Rural Affairs ()
We are increasing levels of peatland restoration through our
nature for climate fund, in order to restore approximately 35,000
hectares of peatland by 2025. To date, we have committed £33
million to restore 20,000 hectares of peatlands, with a further
bidding round in 2023.
I thank the Minister for that answer. Well-maintained peatlands
are a crucial nature resource in fighting the climate crisis. The
Somerset levels near Bath contain 231 square miles of peatland,
storing nearly 11 million tonnes of carbon, but 80% of the UK’s
peatland is so degraded that it is acting as a net source of
greenhouse gas emissions, doing the opposite of what it is meant
to do. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds says that
part of the problem is the lack of available contractors with the
necessary skills and capacity to allow for rapid restoration
work. What is the Secretary of State, or the Minister, doing to
increase the number of contractors?
We have set out in our peatland action plan the measures that we
will be taking. The hon. Lady is absolutely right to recognise
the value that England’s peatlands provide: they are our largest
terrestrial carbon store, and also provide homes for rare
wildlife, regulate our water supply and provide a record of the
past, all of which are incredibly important. In the net zero
strategy, we committed to restore approximately 280,000 hectares
of peatland in England by 2050.
Single-use Plastic
(Orkney and Shetland)
(LD)
13. What recent assessment her Department has made of the
feasibility of ending the use of non-essential single-use
plastics.(903664)
Mr Speaker
Who wants this one?
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food
and Rural Affairs ()
Apologies, Mr Speaker; I was told that the right hon. Gentleman
had withdrawn his question.
We have banned single-use plastic straws, cotton buds and
stirrers, and have recently announced that additional items will
be banned from October 2023, including plastic plates and cutlery
and polystyrene food and beverage containers. Through our 25-year
environment plan, we are committed to an ambition to eliminate
all avoidable plastic waste by 2042.
Mr Carmichael
The Minister has a long-standing record in this area; I thought
she might be jumping to get to the Dispatch Box to answer my
question. We have to accept, though, that although we were making
very good progress on reducing and eliminating the use of
single-use plastics before covid, the measures that were
necessary during lockdown did see a lot of that progress
reversed, and there is now a need for a renewed and reinvigorated
approach. Unfortunately, in Scotland we have a rather poorly
designed deposit return scheme that risks further damage to the
cause of reducing single-use plastics, so will the Minister join
me and other Members across the House in designing a strategy for
the eventual elimination of single-use plastics that can enjoy
everyone’s support?
As the right hon. Gentleman knows, I am always very keen to talk
about these issues. Frankly, I believe this Government are doing
a really great job in setting the direction of travel for
reducing our use of plastics and, indeed, pressing on with all of
our schemes—not just the individual bans that I have outlined—as
well as the extended producer responsibility scheme, the data
reporting section of which has already started; the deposit
return scheme; and our consistent collections. I am sorry to hear
what the right hon. Gentleman says about the Scottish deposit
return scheme, but certainly, we in this place are pressing on
with all our commitments and targets to eliminate all avoidable
plastic waste.
Plastic Pollution
(Putney) (Lab)
14. What recent steps she is taking to help tackle plastic
pollution.(903665)
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food
and Rural Affairs ()
I thank the hon. Lady for her question. On a similar note to my
answer to the previous question, the resources and waste strategy
sets out our plans to eliminate all avoidable plastic waste by
2042. To do that, we have introduced a range of bans on certain
plastic items, as she will know, and the extended producer
responsibility scheme, for which data gathering has already
started. The deposit return scheme and consistent recycling will
also come on board.
There is huge support for banning plastic in wet wipes from hon.
Members on both sides of the House, retailers, producers and
water companies. The Government’s consultation on the issue ended
more than a year ago, but it was not included in the recent
plastic announcements—the Government’s action on the issue is so
slow. Will the Minister support the campaign of Water UK and the
water companies to bin the wipe? Will she meet me to talk about
when the Government will finally bring in that ban on plastic in
wet wipes?
I know how passionately the hon. Lady feels about the issue—I do
too—but we have to get it right. We are still analysing the
responses to that call for evidence. Great care has to be taken
when considering something flushable, even if it does not have
plastic in it—where does it go, where does it end up and what
happens to it?—so we have asked for extra information about that.
It is critical for wipes to be flushable, but I urge people not
to flush things down the loo, because that is how we get
blockages and fatbergs. I recently went to a nursery where they
were making homemade wet wipes out of kitchen roll, none of which
went down the loo. If hon. Members want to see my video on that,
they should go on to my Instagram.
Environmental Land Management Schemes
(Buckingham) (Con)
15. What steps her Department is taking to support farmers
through environmental land management schemes.(903666)
The Minister for Food, Farming and Fisheries ()
We published an update on our environmental land management
schemes on 26 January. We have worked to ensure that there is
something for everyone; we are expanding the sustainable farming
incentive offer and launching a new round of the landscape
recovery scheme this year. We will expand and enhance our popular
countryside stewardship scheme later.
I am grateful to my right hon. Friend for that answer. The £168
million farming investment fund, the six new standards in the SFI
and the ELMS prospectus are good news and good progress, but I
know from the National Farmers Union conference this week and
from conversations with the Buckinghamshire committee of the
Country Land and Business Association that detail is still
missing that would give farmers the long-term certainty they
need. I urge him to get the full detail of the schemes on the
table as soon as possible.
We will continue to publish more information on our environmental
land management schemes this year. That includes further details
by the summer on the new actions that will be made available
through the sustainable farming incentive and the countryside
stewardship scheme.
(Huddersfield)
(Lab/Co-op)
I am not usually a fan of Jeremy Clarkson, but I have been
absolutely addicted to his television programme and the ventures
of Diddly Squat farm. Does the Minister agree that that programme
gives people a real insight into the bureaucracy and
complications of the schemes? It is very complicated for farmers
who want to earn a living and feed the nation. Will he visit
Clarkson’s farm to give him a bit of support?
I join the hon. Gentleman in paying tribute to Mr Clarkson and
what he is doing to advertise what is happening in the
agricultural sector and some of the challenges it faces. The hon.
Gentleman should bear in mind that the series was filmed before
we announced lots of the detail about our ELM schemes, so some of
the criticisms that are levelled at the Department have now been
resolved and that information is out there. Mr Clarkson is,
however, communicating with a different generation about the
challenges of food production.
Food Insecurity
(York Central)
(Lab/Co-op)
16. What steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to tackle
food insecurity. (903668)
(Ogmore) (Lab)
19. What recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of UK
food security. (903671)
The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
(Dr Thérèse Coffey)
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs leads on
food supply and we are working closely with the Cabinet Office to
ensure that food supply is fully incorporated into emergency
preparedness. The UK has a highly resilient food supply chain
that is well equipped to deal with situations with a potential to
cause disruption. Our high degree of food security is built on
supply from diverse sources, strong domestic production and
imports through stable trade routes. DEFRA has a collaborative
relationship with industry, which allows us to effectively
respond to disruption, should it occur.
With the Office for National Statistics highlighting a 16.8%
increase in food prices in the year to January, the Government
have built their food poverty infrastructure on dependency on
voluntary donations and retail waste donations. However, due to
demand, food banks in York are running out and are eking out
their food supplies. For my part, I am holding a city-wide
donation day so that those who can give do so and those who are
in need receive. We call it York Together, as we support one
another. What are the Government doing to ensure that no one goes
without?
Dr Coffey
The hon. Lady is right to praise the initiative with her
constituents in York. That is very welcome, and it is an element
of what can be done locally. We have talked about aspects of food
pricing, and there is no doubt that inflation is really tough at
the moment, but I am conscious that we still have a situation in
which, generally across Europe, we have one of the lowest
proportions of incomes being spent on food. Supermarkets have
been very competitive, and we may discuss some of that later. I
encourage her to also support of the household support fund,
which is intended to go to people who are particularly in need.
However, we know that one of the best ways for people to boost
their income is not only to get into work if they are not in work
already, but to work more hours or get upskilled to get a higher
income. The local welfare grant, which was given some time ago by
central Government to local councils, is there for them to use as
well.
In the Secretary of State’s first answer, she talked about
domestic security and domestic growing, but it is being made
clear across broadcast media this morning that the UK Government
have refused to give support to greenhouse growers across the
winter season, which has added to the shortages we are seeing and
the restrictions in supermarkets. Why are the Government refusing
to help those farmers, and to ensure that we have domestic food
security and do not have these shortages across the
supermarkets?
Dr Coffey
The hon. Gentleman raises an important point. At this time of the
year, we normally import about 90% to 95% of our food, because we
cannot grow it in our soils, although I appreciate that there are
industrial greenhouses that could grow some of these materials.
We do know that energy prices have been going up, and the
Government have been supporting businesses. It is when the change
happens in April that I understand there may be an impact on
greenhouses, which is why we will continue to work with the
industry. However, we have always been a significant importer,
particularly of things like tomatoes, recognising that farmers
will choose to use the land in the way that they think is best to
have a sustainable farming business in the UK.
Mr Speaker
I call Scott Benton—not here.
Topical Questions
(Tewkesbury) (Con)
T1. If she will make a statement on her departmental
responsibilities.(903673)
The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
(Dr Thérèse Coffey)
I am aware that many Members will be concerned by the reports
about the availability of various horticultural products right
now. As my right hon. Friend the Minister for Food, Farming and
Fisheries said earlier, DEFRA is working closely with the
industry to understand the issues with that supply chain, in
which there was a particular issue in Spain and north Africa
before Christmas and shortly after. Officials are already working
with food retailers, and I think the Minister will be meeting
them very early next week specifically to talk through certain
aspects for supermarkets.
Mr Robertson
In mid-March, the greatest National Hunt festival will take place
at Cheltenham racecourse in my constituency. It is a sport that
only this week the Prime Minister hailed as a showcase for global
Britain. However, to maintain this world-leading position, the
international movement of top thoroughbreds to this country is
essential, so what have the Government been able to do to
facilitate it?
Dr Coffey
I look forward to visiting my hon. Friend’s constituency on 17
March, where I will enjoy some of the racing. It is important
that we have high standards of health and welfare for
thoroughbreds. The Government are close to publishing our target
operating model proposals, which will take a proportionate,
risk-based and technically advanced approach to future sanitary
and phytosanitary controls. We are still considering the approach
specifically for live animals, particularly high-level equines,
to understand how protecting biosecurity and minimising trade
burdens can be carefully and safely managed.
Mr Speaker
I call the shadow Minister.
(Newport West) (Lab)
Indoor air pollution is an increasing problem that poses health
risks, but the Tories have no plan to tackle it. But do not
worry, Mr Speaker, because help is on the way. Labour will have a
standalone clean air Act in our very first King’s Speech. Before
we get there, will the Secretary of State share what specific
action she has taken to tackle indoor air pollution? What
discussions has she had with other Departments, and what other
actions will she bring forward in the coming months? In other
words, where is the plan?
Dr Coffey
The clean air strategy of 2019 specifically identified indoor air
pollution. Ongoing ventilation, and advice on that, is the
standard approach. That is true of things such as scented candles
and cleaning products. Although the chemicals are changing, a lot
of the chief medical officer’s fairly recent report is already
contained in the strategy. It is important that we tackle air
pollution in all sorts of ways, but the best advice to improve
indoor air quality is to keep windows open for five to 10 minutes
a day to allow fresh air in. That will significantly help to
reduce some of the impacts, and that is needed.
Mark Menzies (Fylde) (Con)
T2. I thank Ministers for their continued support on coastal
flooding, including the £10 million allocated to upgrade flood
defences in Fylde, which is a low-lying, largely flat coastal
peninsula, meaning that even inland areas remain vulnerable to
flooding. The Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and
Rural Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for Taunton Deane
(), visited Fylde and saw that
for herself, but will she join me for a further visit to the
affected areas, and commit to producing a long-term plan to
relieve the issues?(903674)
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food
and Rural Affairs ()
I very much enjoyed my educational visit to Fylde to understand
the benefits of our flood spending. Even in low-lying areas,
there are benefits of protecting the businesses, which felt
safer. Tourism and active travel on the great embankment had been
strengthened. I would be delighted to come back if my diary
permits it to see the further work that is being done to get even
more out of the funding that the Government have committed to
from our £5.2-billion budget.
(North East Fife)
(LD)
T3. The hon. Member for Ogmore () mentioned the lack of
Government support for greenhouse producers. Energy costs are
having a great impact on farmers, but they are not included in
the new business scheme coming into place at the end of March.
Given that we are about to have an urgent question on food
shortages, will the Government reconsider that
decision?(903676)
Dr Coffey
The UK Government have already been helping households and
businesses with the significant rises in energy costs. We are now
starting to see a reduction in wholesale gas prices, and the
Government are confident that that will start to feed through to
electricity prices. We will remain focused on energy-intensive
sectors that need ongoing support, but the scheme is much more
restricted, and the hon. Lady will be aware of the reasons
why.
(Banff and Buchan) (Con)
T7. What steps is my right hon. Friend taking to ensure that the
fishing industry is not squeezed out of its livelihood by
generally welcome but often conflicting factors such as offshore
wind and marine protected areas? How will he ensure that the
industry is adequately represented in the decision-making
process?(903680)
The Minister for Food, Farming and Fisheries ()
I pay tribute to my hon. Friend’s work in that sector and the
representations that he has made. I meet Scottish fishermen on a
regular basis, and I am aware of the challenges they face due to
spatial squeeze. I am also very much aware of the great work they
do to keep the country fed with high-quality fish in our food
markets.
Kate Osborne (Jarrow) (Lab)
T4. Jarrow constituents face a rise in water bills from
Northumbrian Water—a company owned by Cayman Islands-registered
Hong Kong CK Hutchison Holdings. It underspent its budget for
repairs by 48%, yet took profits of £2 billion a year, awarded
millions to shareholders and pumped sewage into north-east
waterways. Will the Secretary of State commit to fining water
companies up to £250 million for dumping sewage?(903677)
Dr Coffey
Northumbrian Water is also the parent company of the water
company that services my constituency. I am conscious that
dividends were not paid out during covid, but the point stands
that we need improved environmental performance from water
companies. We are doing that, and it is why we have given Ofwat
powers, which they have been consulted on, to link dividend
payments to things such as environmental performance. I hope that
Ofwat will come forward with final proposals shortly.
(New Forest West) (Con)
If habitats can be restored to a quality in which reptiles—in
particular the smooth snake—can thrive, that will be good for all
wildlife. That would be a good target, would it not?
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food
and Rural Affairs ()
I absolutely agree on the importance of securing the habitats and
the survival of reptiles. Indeed, we will halt the decline in
species abundance by 2030, and increase abundance by at least 10%
to exceed 2022 levels by 2042. That is all set out in our
environmental plan—all 262 pages of it. On my right hon. Friend’s
specific point, I very much look forward to an enlightening
conversation with him.
(York Central)
(Lab/Co-op)
T5. Child hunger has a significant impact on a child’s ability to
concentrate, as well as on their behaviour and attainment. Labour
has set out that it will provide breakfasts for children in
school, and where Labour is in power it is providing lunches as
well. What discussions is the Secretary of State having with the
Education Secretary to ensure that children do not go
hungry?(903678)
Dr Coffey
This is similar to the question the hon. Lady raised earlier. The
Department for Education has responsibility for free school
meals, and many millions of children benefit from them in this
country. I am conscious that we want to ensure that food is
affordable. Food price inflation is very challenging right now,
and that is why we have acted to help with aspects of food
production. We continue to try to ensure that we get through this
challenging time. That is why there is support through things
such as the household support fund, as well as other
opportunities, to make sure that no child needs to go hungry.
(Buckingham) (Con)
It was a pleasure to welcome the Under-Secretary of State for
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member
for Taunton Deane () to Manor Farm in Chearsley
last month, to see how farmer Rose Dale, the River Thame
Conservation Trust and the Freshwater Habitats Trust have created
new floodplain freshwater wetland habitats. Will she congratulate
everyone involved in this hugely successful project? What steps
are being taken to create further such wetlands?
It was the most enjoyable and informative visit that I took part
in with my hon. Friend; I ask that he pass on my thanks to Farmer
Rose. The visit demonstrated the value of bringing water into the
landscape; it has value for habitats and, in many other places,
for flood control. Such nature-based solutions are one of the key
planks of not just our flood policy but our habitat restoration
project.
(Ogmore) (Lab)
T6. The Farm Safety Foundation—or Yellow Wellies, as most of us
know it—has just completed a campaign to improve farmers’ mental
health. Will the Minister set out what actions are being taken
across Government, and at a devolved level, to develop mental
health support schemes for farmers? According to the Yellow
Wellies survey, farmers’ mental health is plummeting. We need a
UK-wide strategy to offer more support.(903679)
I thank the hon. Gentleman for drawing attention to the campaign.
The Yellow Wellies campaign had an action week last week; I hope
he saw my contribution to that. It is very important that we
recognise that mental health is a challenge in rural communities.
If someone is working alone for many hours, it can lead to dark
thoughts. We continue to work with charities in the sector to
address the challenges those people face and to give them the
support they deserve.
(Christchurch) (Con)
Why is the deposit return scheme in England not going to include
glass bottles, unlike the one in Scotland?
As my hon. Friend points out, two different schemes are proposed.
We have consulted widely, in particular with industry, and that
is why we have taken the decision not to include glass bottles.
Glass bottles will remain in the consistent collections from the
doorstep. From our consultation and stakeholder engagement, that
is considered to be the best way to increase the amount of glass
we recycle.
(Wakefield)
(Lab/Co-op)
T8. The Government’s 25-year environment plan aims to deliver
cleaner water for our communities. However, recent statistics
show that the River Calder and the River Aire, which run through
the Wakefield district, are the second and third most polluted
waterways in England. The Office for Environmental Protection,
the Government’s own regulator, has said that progress has fallen
far short. After 13 years in power, what steps is the Secretary
of State taking to clean up the waterways for the people of
Wakefield?(903681)
Dr Coffey
We are picking up after the inaction of the previous Labour
Government—that takes time. That is why we will continue to do
the work. I say to the hon. Gentleman that it is important that
we work on a catchment-based approach, which is the approach that
is being taken. It is important that we focus in on those rivers,
which is why I am asking Natural England to make progress with
assessments of sites of special scientific interest around the
country, thinking particularly of rivers. It is important that we
continue to work together with the people who have the rights and
responsibilities of owning those waterways at a local level to
make sure that the hon. Gentleman’s rivers are cleaner than ever
before.
(Glasgow North) (SNP)
Is the ploughing under of perfectly good crops because there is
not enough labour to harvest them efficiently a success of
Brexit?
The hon. Gentleman will be aware that we have increased by
another 15,000 the number of visas available through the seasonal
agriculture workers scheme. An extra 10,000 visas are available
should the industry require them. We are supplying the industry
with the labour it requires, and the scheme seems to be working
very well at this moment in time.
(Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock)
(SNP)
Polling commissioned by the Dogs Trust found that the biggest
worry of almost a quarter of dog owners is the rising cost of dog
food, causing deep concern and issues of abandonment. My hon.
Friend the Member for Glasgow East () raised at the previous DEFRA
questions the campaign to remove VAT from pet food. What
discussions has the Secretary of State had with the Treasury, and
will the coming Budget introduce measures to reduce or remove VAT
from dog food?
Dr Coffey
Pets are, of course, very precious to people and, after children,
are often their No. 1 priority. It is important to try to make
sure that people are generous. I make a plea to dog and cat food
manufacturers to help their customers at this challenging time.
The Budget will take place soon, but I want to manage
expectations. I do not expect changes to VAT rates for specific
products, but let us do what we can to make sure that our pets
get fed.
(Rutherglen and Hamilton
West) (Ind)
Given the Secretary of State’s view that the financial sector
must invest in projects to prevent biodiversity loss, what steps
are the Government taking to incentivise businesses to play their
part?
We are working across Government, including with the Treasury, to
identify opportunities for green finance. We absolutely recognise
that in this country, but also all around the world, nature-based
solutions and reducing the harm caused by public subsidies are a
priority, as set out at COP15 in Montreal by my right hon. Friend
the Secretary of State.
Mr Speaker
I call . [Interruption.]
(Strangford) (DUP)
I am sorry, Mr Speaker. I am so used to jumping up and sitting
down, I did not realise that I had been called!
Northern Ireland fishermen have received only £14 million of the
additional quota of £20 million that they were due to receive. In
addition, the Northern Ireland protocol poses a potentially
catastrophic threat to the fishing industry. What discussions
have Ministers had with the Northern Ireland Assembly and the
producer organisations about the future of fish stocks in and
around Northern Ireland and the Irish sea?
Of course, we have regular meetings with the devolved
Administrations. We also meet the Centre for Environment,
Fisheries and Aquaculture Science regularly to discuss the level
of fish stocks in the sea. We want to give out those quotas in a
fair and equitable way that supports the whole of the United
Kingdom and all four Administrations, and we will continue to
have those conversations and discussions.
(Stockton North) (Lab)
I am really sorry to hear that Ministers are not prepared to
travel to Teesside to face local people who are concerned about
ongoing sealife deaths. Ministers say that they want to find out
the cause, so will they invest in further testing now rather than
stick their heads in the sand?
The hon. Gentleman will have read the scientific report that says
quite specifically that further investigation is highly likely to
be futile and that we are quite unlikely to find that pathogen. I
can say directly that if we were to analyse all the infections
within the hon. Gentleman, we would find a lot of viruses that
may not be relevant to his health or condition. That is the
challenge. We have to find the pathogen at the moment that it is
impacting on those crabs, but that moment has passed.
I thought all medical records were private!
Mr Speaker
Order. I call .
(Huddersfield)
(Lab/Co-op)
Are you aware, Mr Speaker, that Shannon and Sheerman are going on
a world tour shortly?
Many of us think that the tyres on our vehicles are made wholly
of rubber, but research that I have come across recently shows
that that is not true. There is rubber but there are also 72
chemicals, many of which have a link to cancer. That waste goes
on our roads and flows into the gutters and into our streams and
rivers and the sea. What are we going to do about this ghastly
poison?
Dr Coffey
That is why we have increasingly high environmental standards,
considering the different chemicals that are used in products
every day. We have some challenges with the recycling of certain
products, such as sofas and chairs. These are ongoing issues. I
am not aware of the science that the hon. Gentleman has
commissioned, but I am aware of how the Government have stepped
up and supported companies such as Michelin with the circular
economy. We made sure that it kept its factory here so that we
could have retreading and remanufacturing. It is with that sort
of approach—making sure that we really promote the circular
economy—that we can try to tackle some of the issues that arise
from plastics.
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