Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

We are the UK government department responsible for safeguarding our natural environment, supporting our world-leading food and farming industry, and sustaining a thriving rural economy. Our broad remit means we play a major role in people’s day-to-day life, from the food we eat, and the air we breathe, to the water we drink.



Secretary of State

 Portrait

Emma Reynolds
Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Shadow Ministers / Spokeperson
Liberal Democrat
Tim Farron (LD - Westmorland and Lonsdale)
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Conservative
Victoria Atkins (Con - Louth and Horncastle)
Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Liberal Democrat
Baroness Grender (LD - Life peer)
Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson (Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Scottish National Party
Seamus Logan (SNP - Aberdeenshire North and Moray East)
Shadow SNP Spokesperson (Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Green Party
Adrian Ramsay (Green - Waveney Valley)
Green Spokesperson (Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Junior Shadow Ministers / Deputy Spokesperson
Conservative
Robbie Moore (Con - Keighley and Ilkley)
Shadow Minister (Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Lord Blencathra (Con - Life peer)
Shadow Minister (Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Lord Roborough (Con - Excepted Hereditary)
Shadow Minister (Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Junior Shadow Ministers / Deputy Spokesperson
Conservative
Neil Hudson (Con - Epping Forest)
Shadow Parliamentary Under Secretary (Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Ministers of State
Angela Eagle (Lab - Wallasey)
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Parliamentary Under-Secretaries of State
Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab - Life peer)
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Emma Hardy (Lab - Kingston upon Hull West and Haltemprice)
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Mary Creagh (Lab - Coventry East)
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
There are no upcoming events identified
Debates
Thursday 23rd October 2025
Select Committee Docs
Tuesday 21st October 2025
14:41
Select Committee Inquiry
Thursday 11th September 2025
Written Answers
Friday 24th October 2025
Food: Carbon Emissions
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions (a) his Department and (b) the …
Secondary Legislation
Wednesday 22nd October 2025
Organic Production (Amendment) Regulations 2025
These Regulations amend Commission Regulation (EC) No 889/2008 laying down detailed rules for the implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No …
Bills
Wednesday 4th September 2024
Water (Special Measures) Act 2025
A Bill to make provision about the regulation, governance and special administration of water companies.
Dept. Publications
Monday 27th October 2025
00:01

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Commons Appearances

Oral Answers to Questions is a regularly scheduled appearance where the Secretary of State and junior minister will answer at the Dispatch Box questions from backbench MPs

Other Commons Chamber appearances can be:
  • Urgent Questions where the Speaker has selected a question to which a Minister must reply that day
  • Adjornment Debates a 30 minute debate attended by a Minister that concludes the day in Parliament.
  • Oral Statements informing the Commons of a significant development, where backbench MP's can then question the Minister making the statement.

Westminster Hall debates are performed in response to backbench MPs or e-petitions asking for a Minister to address a detailed issue

Written Statements are made when a current event is not sufficiently significant to require an Oral Statement, but the House is required to be informed.

Most Recent Commons Appearances by Category
Sep. 04
Oral Questions
Oct. 23
Urgent Questions
Oct. 23
Written Statements
Sep. 11
Adjournment Debate
View All Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Commons Contibutions

Bills currently before Parliament

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs does not have Bills currently before Parliament


Acts of Parliament created in the 2024 Parliament


A Bill to make provision about the regulation, governance and special administration of water companies.

This Bill received Royal Assent on 24th February 2025 and was enacted into law.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs - Secondary Legislation

These Regulations amend Commission Regulation (EC) No 889/2008 laying down detailed rules for the implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 on organic production and labelling of organic products with regard to organic production, labelling and control (EUR 2008/889) (“Regulation (EC) No 889/2008”). They specify exemptions to organic production rules.
These Regulations, which apply in relation to England, prohibit persons from supplying or offering to supply wet wipes containing plastic (see definitions in regulation 2).
View All Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Secondary Legislation

Petitions

e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.

If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.

If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).

Trending Petitions
Petition Open
2,035 Signatures
(1,113 in the last 7 days)
Petition Open
1,163 Signatures
(900 in the last 7 days)
Petitions with most signatures
Petition Debates Contributed
109,019
Petition Closed
21 May 2025
closed 5 months ago

In modern society, we believe more consideration needs to be given to animal welfare and how livestock is treated and culled.

We believe non-stun slaughter is barbaric and doesn't fit in with our culture and modern-day values and should be banned, as some EU nations have done.

We think the UK Government must ban all cages for laying hens as soon as possible.

We think it should also ban the use of all cage and crates for all farmed animals including:
• farrowing crates for sows
• individual calf pens
• cages for other birds, including partridges, pheasants and quail

104,341
Petition Closed
22 May 2025
closed 5 months ago

Chris Packham, Ruth Tingay and Mark Avery (Wild Justice) believe that driven grouse shooting is bad for people, the environment and wildlife. People; we think grouse shooting is economically insignificant when contrasted with other real and potential uses of the UK’s extensive uplands.

View All Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Petitions

Departmental Select Committee

Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee

Commons Select Committees are a formally established cross-party group of backbench MPs tasked with holding a Government department to account.

At any time there will be number of ongoing investigations into the work of the Department, or issues which fall within the oversight of the Department. Witnesses can be summoned from within the Government and outside to assist in these inquiries.

Select Committee findings are reported to the Commons, printed, and published on the Parliament website. The government then usually has 60 days to reply to the committee's recommendations.


11 Members of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
Alistair Carmichael Portrait
Alistair Carmichael (Liberal Democrat - Orkney and Shetland)
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee Member since 9th September 2024
Charlie Dewhirst Portrait
Charlie Dewhirst (Conservative - Bridlington and The Wolds)
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Sarah Bool Portrait
Sarah Bool (Conservative - South Northamptonshire)
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Henry Tufnell Portrait
Henry Tufnell (Labour - Mid and South Pembrokeshire)
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Tim Roca Portrait
Tim Roca (Labour - Macclesfield)
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Jenny Riddell-Carpenter Portrait
Jenny Riddell-Carpenter (Labour - Suffolk Coastal)
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Andrew Pakes Portrait
Andrew Pakes (Labour (Co-op) - Peterborough)
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Josh Newbury Portrait
Josh Newbury (Labour - Cannock Chase)
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Jayne Kirkham Portrait
Jayne Kirkham (Labour (Co-op) - Truro and Falmouth)
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Sarah Dyke Portrait
Sarah Dyke (Liberal Democrat - Glastonbury and Somerton)
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Helena Dollimore Portrait
Helena Dollimore (Labour (Co-op) - Hastings and Rye)
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee: Upcoming Events
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee - Oral evidence
Work of the Department and its arm’s-length bodies
28 Oct 2025, 9:30 a.m.
At 10:00am: Oral evidence
Philip Duffy - Chief Executive at Environment Agency
Alan Lovell - Chair at Environment Agency

View calendar - Save to Calendar
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee: Previous Inquiries
Air Quality: follow up Labour in the food supply chain The work of DEFRA COVID-19 and food supply Rural Communities Milk prices Appointment of Jonson Cox as Chair of Ofwat Dog Control and Welfare Draft Water Bill Air Quality Desinewed Meat Tree Health and Plant Biosecurity Flood Funding Future Flood and Water Management Legislation Farming in the Uplands Marine Policy Statement Draft National Policy Statement on Waste Water Welfare of Laying Hens Directive—Implications for the egg industry EU proposals for the dairy sector and the future of the dairy industry Implementation of the Common Fisheries Policy: Domestic Fisheries Management Outcome of the independent Farming Regulation Task Force Draft Groceries Code Adjudicator Bill Draft National Policy Statement for Hazardous Waste EU proposals for reform of the Common Fisheries Policy Defra Annual Report and Accounts 2010-11 Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency Draft British Waterways Board (Transfer of Functions) Order 2012 and the Draft Inland Waterways Advisory Council (Abolition) Order 2012 Orders under the Public Bodies Act 2011 Bovine TB Vaccine Draft Wild Animals in Circuses Bill CAP Implementation 2014-2020 Insurance for flooding The Elliott review Primates as pets Winter Floods Pre-appointment hearing with proposed Chairman of Natural England Departmental Annual Report 2012-13 Food Security Waste management in England Rural Payments Agency Work of Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency Appointment hearing for preferred candidate for Chair of the Environment Agency Horse welfare Defra's responsibility for fracking Defra performance in 2013-14 Food security: demand, consumption and waste Food supply networks Rural broadband and digital-only services Dairy prices Work of the Committee 2010-15 CAP payments to farmers EFRA topics Dairy prices inquiry Defra performance in 2014-15 inquiry Common Agricultural Policy inquiry Defra's responsibilities for air quality inquiry Farmgate prices inquiry Beef grading prices inquiry Food waste in England inquiry Rural tourism in England inquiry Forestry in England inquiry Environment Agency Chair pre-appointment hearing Work of Defra evidence sessions Winter floods 2015-16 inquiry Future flood prevention inquiry The work of Defra inquiry Farmgate prices: follow-up evidence session Brexit: Trade in food inquiry The work of Defra inquiry Improving air quality Work of the Environment Agency inquiry 2 Sisters and Standards in Poultry Processing inquiry Fisheries inquiry Performance of the Rural Payments Agency inquiry Defra's plans to improve air quality Feeding the nation: labour constraints inquiry Post-legislative scrutiny: Flood and Water Management Act 2010 inquiry Countryside Stewardship Scheme one-off session Improving air quality joint inquiry Countryside and Environmental Stewardship schemes inquiry The new farming programme inquiry Rural broadband and digital only services inquiry General licences for controlling wild birds inquiry Environment Bill inquiry Beef prices inquiry Agriculture, achieving net-zero emissions inquiry Peatland inquiry Puppy smuggling inquiry Draft National Policy Statement for Water Resources Infrastructure inquiry Pre-appointment hearing with the Government’s preferred candidate for Chair of Natural England inquiry Plastic food and drink packaging inquiry Coastal flooding and adaptation to climate change inquiry Work of the Food Standards Agency inquiry Pre-appointment hearing for the Chair of Natural England inquiry Scrutiny of the draft Environment (Principles and Governance) Bill inquiry Farm Inspection and Regulation Review inquiry Dangerous Dogs: Breed Specific Legislation inquiry Regulation of the Water Industry inquiry Brand Britain: Promoting and Marketing British food and drink inquiry Proposed merger of Asda and Sainsbury’s inquiry Agriculture Bill inquiry Scrutiny of the Fisheries Bill inquiry Is Defra ready for Brexit? inquiry The Work of the Chief Veterinary Officer inquiry Work of DEFRA: Health and Harmony inquiry Work of the Rural Payments Agency inquiry Work and Role of the Groceries Code Adjudicator inquiry Fur trade in the UK inquiry Trade in sugar post-Brexit inquiry Work of the Chief Scientific Adviser: Defra inquiry Labour constraints inquiry Draft Animal Welfare Bill inquiry Air Quality Public Sector Procurement of Food Government support to the dairy sector during the COVID-19 pandemic Work of Defra Work of the Environment Agency Marine Mammals Work of the Environment Agency Pre-appointment hearing: Chair of the Environment Agency Environmental Land Management Scheme: Progress Update Food Security Species Reintroduction UK-Norway Framework Fisheries Agreement Soil Health Post-pandemic health and welfare concerns of companion animals, including abuse and mutilation Resources and Waste provisional Common Framework Pet Smuggling Tenant Farmers Fairness in the food supply chain UK trade policy: food and agriculture Urban Green Spaces Education and Careers in Land-based Sectors Common Framework on Food and Feed Safety and Hygiene Work of the Department and its Arm's Length Bodies The future of farming Reforming the water sector Fairness in the food supply chain Animal and plant health Environmental Land Management and the agricultural transition Fisheries and the marine environment Preventing waste and enabling a circular economy Climate and weather resilience Moving animals across borders COVID-19 and food supply: follow up Seafood and Meat Exports to the EU Agriculture Bill Agriculture, achieving net-zero emissions Proposed merger of Asda and Sainsbury’s Brand Britain: Promoting and Marketing British food and drink Coastal flooding and adaptation to climate change Countryside and Environmental Stewardship schemes General licences for controlling wild birds Is Defra ready for Brexit? Labour constraints The new farming programme Peatland Plastic food and drink packaging Puppy smuggling Rural broadband and digital only services Scrutiny of the draft Environment (Principles and Governance) Bill Scrutiny of the Fisheries Bill Draft National Policy Statement for Water Resources Infrastructure The work of Defra Work of the Food Standards Agency Beef prices Environment Bill

50 most recent Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department

20th Oct 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions (a) his Department and (b) the Food Standards Agency have had since January 2023 with (a) the Carbon Trust and (b) major food retailers on the introduction of carbon ratings on (i) food labels, (ii) menus and (iii) product packaging; and what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact on consumers of introducing such a rating system.

Eco-labels on food are used by some businesses on a voluntary basis to help consumers make more sustainable choices.

Eco-labels based on robust environmental impact data could support informed consumer choices and business competition based on sustainability. Through the Food Data Transparency Partnership, Defra and the Food Standards Agency have conducted engagement on eco-labelling across the food and drink sector in a range of settings including packaging and menus.

Angela Eagle
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
20th Oct 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans her Department has to meet with animal welfare organisations to discuss tackling the illegal (a) breeding and (b) sale of hybrid cats.

The Department is kept up to date with developments in cat welfare through regular engagements with key sector organisations.

Angela Eagle
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
13th Oct 2025
To ask His Majesty's Government, following the publication of the report of Oceana UK Deep Decline in October, what consideration they have given to setting a legally binding deadline to end overfishing.

The Fisheries Act 2020 contains a commitment to recover stocks to sustainable levels through the development of Fisheries Management Plans (FMPs). We are taking this approach having learned from the well-intentioned but ultimately unachievable single deadline set out in the European Union’s Common Fisheries Policy for getting all fish stocks to “Maximum Sustainable Yield” (MSY). Our FMPs allow us to assess the state of the stocks and set out a series of tailored and evidence-based short-, medium- and long-term measures to maintain or restore stocks to MSY.

Baroness Hayman of Ullock
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
20th Oct 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many and what proportion of animals were slaughtered without being stunned for the production of Halal meat in the UK in each year since 2005.

UK data regarding the number or proportion of animals slaughtered using the halal method without prior stunning is not collected.

The Food Standards Agency carries out a periodic slaughter sector survey in England and Wales, which started in 2011.

The latest 2024 survey is available: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/farm-animals-slaughter-sector-survey-2024.

Angela Eagle
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
13th Oct 2025
To ask His Majesty's Government, following the publication of the report of Oceana UK Deep Decline in October, what steps they are taking to ensure that all commercial fish stocks have catch limits set that do not exceed scientific advice.

The Government is committed to restoring our stocks to sustainable levels and supporting the long-term viability of the UK fishing industry. This is in line with our domestic and international obligations, including those of the Fisheries Act 2020 and Joint Fisheries Statement. We work with international partners to set annual catch limits for shared fish stocks, informed by the best available scientific advice on the state of those stocks. This is principally advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea.

Baroness Hayman of Ullock
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
16th Oct 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to enforce the ban on piglet thumping.

Any allegations of poor animal welfare are investigated by the Animal and Plant Health Agency, and where there are non-compliances with the regulations, appropriate action is taken. The local authority, as an appropriate enforcement agency, may initiate prosecution action for animal welfare offences where there is sufficient evidence.

Due to serious concerns about the welfare consequences of a manual percussive blow to the head, it is not a permitted method for killing piglets. In 2022, animal welfare regulations were amended to permit the use of a non-penetrative captive bolt device as a killing method for neonate piglets, kids and lambs, within certain parameters. This has provided a method of killing on farm for these species that is practical and humane.

Angela Eagle
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
17th Oct 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what her Department's timetable is for introducing the activity regulations required to bring the Animal (Low Welfare Activities Abroad) Act 2023 fully into force.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply previously given to the hon. Member for South Cambridgeshire, Pippa Heylings on 23 September 2025 PQ UIN 73101.

Angela Eagle
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
17th Oct 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the implementation Animal (Low Welfare Activities Abroad) Act 2023, what discussions she had has with travel and tourism sector on preventing UK-based companies from (a) advertising an (b) profiting from low-welfare animal attractions overseas.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply previously given to the hon. Member for South Cambridgeshire, Pippa Heylings on 23 September 2025 PQ UIN 73101.

Angela Eagle
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
17th Oct 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to raise public awareness of (a) the potential impact of low-welfare animal attractions abroad and (b) encourage responsible tourism through (i) education and (ii) regulation.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply previously given to the hon. Member for South Cambridgeshire, Pippa Heylings on 23 September 2025 PQ UIN 73101.

Angela Eagle
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
17th Oct 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of his policies for preventing plastic pollution on beaches in (a) Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire constituency and (b) other coastal areas.

The UK Government funds the Marine Conservation Society to record litter from sections of our coast which helps us monitor the levels and trends of plastic pollution. The monitoring is undertaken in accordance with regionally-agreed protocols, and annual reports are published online: Annual beach litter reports (2023) - ME4168.

Over the past six years, the total median litter count on UK beaches reveals a statistically significant downward trend, decreasing by 18.2 items/100m per year. Significant downward trends continue to be observed in several individual litter items, including those targeted by recent bans and consultations. Single-use plastics are significantly decreasing by 5.8 items/100m per year.

The Department has also recently conducted and published a Post Implementation Review (PIR) on The Environmental Protection (Plastic Straws, Cotton Buds and Stirrers) (England) Regulations 2020. The review found these measures have contributed to reducing plastic pollution, with items such as plastic‑stemmed cotton buds moving out of the UK’s top 10 most littered item list in 2021.

Emma Hardy
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
17th Oct 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with her counterpart in the Scottish government on tackling plastic pollution affecting beaches in (a) Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire constituency and (b) other areas.

Plastic pollution is one of the greatest environmental challenges that we face today – it litters our beaches, threatens wildlife and contributes towards climate change.

The UK Government works closely with the Scottish Government on plastic pollution and beach litter is monitored across the UK under the UK Marine Strategy. Annual reports on UK beach litter are published online: Annual beach litter reports (2023) - ME4168. Monitoring data is also reported in line with our obligations under the OSPAR Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North East Atlantic and is used in the OSPAR beach litter assessment: Abundance, Composition and Trends of Beach Litter.

UK Government and the Devolved Governments have taken action to address some of the most commonly-found beach litter items – for example, legislation to restrict the supply of certain single-use plastic items has been introduced across UK nations.

Emma Hardy
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
17th Oct 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment his Department has made of trends in the level of plastic pollution on beaches in (a) Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire constituency and (b) other areas.

The UK Government funds the Marine Conservation Society to record litter from sections of our coast which helps us monitor the levels and trends of plastic pollution. The monitoring is undertaken in accordance with regionally-agreed protocols, and annual reports are published online: Annual beach litter reports (2023) - ME4168.

Over the past six years, the total median litter count on UK beaches reveals a statistically significant downward trend, decreasing by 18.2 items/100m per year. Significant downward trends continue to be observed in several individual litter items, including those targeted by recent bans and consultations. Single-use plastics are significantly decreasing by 5.8 items/100m per year.

The Department’s recently published Post Implementation Review (PIR) of the 2020 single use plastic bans and restrictions found evidence of reduced plastic litter on UK beaches, with plastic-stemmed cotton buds and straws showing significant declines. Cotton buds have dropped out of the UK’s top 10 most littered items in 2021 and reached their lowest levels in the Great British Beach Clean’s 28-year history.

Emma Hardy
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
20th Oct 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to help her counterpart in Northern Ireland tackle Asian hornets.

Defra and staff from the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) have worked closely with officials from Northern Ireland to help them prepare and publish a contingency plan for action against Asian hornets. A sighting of Asian hornet was reported on 10th October close to Dundonald in Northern Ireland. Inspectors from the APHA National Bee Unit and the APHA Non-Native Species Inspectorate have drawn on their extensive experience and provided support to officials in Northern Ireland about deployment of the contingency plan to find and destroy a nest.

Mary Creagh
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
13th Oct 2025
To ask His Majesty's Government, following the publication of the report of Oceana UK Deep Decline in October, what proportion of commercial fish stocks currently have catch limits set at or below levels recommended by scientific advice.

We strive to improve the sustainability of our fisheries and publish an annual independent assessment of the outcomes of our negotiations to set catch limits with other coastal States. The Government’s independent report for 2025 (copy attached) found that 46% of all assessed stocks had catch limits that were set at or below the recommended scientific advice.

Baroness Hayman of Ullock
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
16th Oct 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with local councils on improving street cleanliness.

I have not had any recent discussions with local councils on street cleanliness.

My officials chair the National Fly-Tipping Prevention Group (NFTPG), through which they engage with a wide range of interested parties such as local councils, National Farmers Union and others, to promote and disseminate good practice with regards to preventing fly-tipping.

Local councils are responsible for keeping streets clear of litter and refuse. The Pride in Place Strategy sets out how Government will support local action by bringing forward statutory enforcement guidance on both littering and fly-tipping, modernising the code of practice that outlines the cleaning standards expected of local authorities, and refreshing best practice guidance on the powers available to local authorities to force land and building owners to clean up their premises.

This Government also remains focused on delivering a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for drinks containers due to go live in October 2027. Single-use drinks containers are some of the UK’s most commonly littered items. It is expected that providing a financial incentive for people to return their drinks containers through the Deposit Return Scheme will drastically reduce the amount of litter.

Mary Creagh
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
14th Oct 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to section 245 of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023, what steps she is taking to ensure compliance with the protected landscapes duty.

This Government is working with a range of partners to consider the impact of the Protected Landscapes Duty. We have received and considered many letters on this matter, including one Campaign for National Parks wrote on behalf of over 170 organisations.

The duty is intended to facilitate better outcomes for England’s Protected Landscapes, which are in line with their statutory purposes.

The Government has published guidance on the Protected Landscapes duty to ensure public bodies operating in these areas, including water companies, deliver better environmental outcomes working together with Protected Landscape organisations.

Mary Creagh
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
17th Oct 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many agricultural business have received Sustainable Farming Incentive grants in (a) South Holland and the Deepings constituency and (b) Lincolnshire in (i) 2024 and (ii) 2025.

As of the 1st of January 2025, there were 32,200 Sustainable Farming Incentive agreements in England. This was made up of 25,300 agreements in the Sustainable Farming Incentive 23 and 6,900 agreements in the Sustainable Farming Incentive Expanded Offer. This includes agreements for agricultural businesses in South Holland and the Deepings constituency and (b) Lincolnshire.

Angela Eagle
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
17th Oct 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she plans to implement the recommendations in the Independent Review into Public Sector Food Procurement, published in May 2024.

The Government is currently considering the policy options available to deliver further on our ambitions for public sector food and catering. We are engaging with stakeholders across public sector supply chains and are carefully reflecting on possible policy options. The findings of the Independent Review into Public Sector Food Procurement will be considered as part of this ongoing policy development process.

Angela Eagle
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
10th Oct 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions she has had with supermarkets on the potential impact of online-only discounts on older people without smartphones.

Ministers and officials in the department regularly engage with retailers on a wide range of issues affecting consumers, including affordability and access to food.

The Government expects retailers to consider the needs of all customers, including older people and those who may find it difficult to access online services. Supermarkets are responsible for their own pricing and promotional strategies, but we know that many offer a range of in-store and online discounts to ensure fair access.

Angela Eagle
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
17th Oct 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she plans to reform processes for the (a) monitoring and (b) management of (i) ponds, (ii) headwater streams and (iii) other small waters.

The Environment Agency (EA) has in recent years expanded monitoring of headwater streams through its new Small Streams Network, and an increased number of smaller lakes with the Lake Surveillance Network, part of the Natural Capital Ecosystem Assessment Programme. The evidence from this new monitoring will be subject to ongoing data analysis.

The EA also undertake occasional operational and investigative monitoring in very small streams in response to pollution, or where they are of particular importance locally.

Additionally, the Government will respond to the recommendations published in the final report of the Independent Water Commission through a White Paper and a new water reform bill, bringing forward root and branch reform to secure better outcomes for customers, investors and the environment and restore trust and accountability. Together with the building blocks the Government has already put in place, this will mark the most fundamental reset to our water system in a generation.

Emma Hardy
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
16th Oct 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department is taking steps to help tackle the use of catapults by young people to harm pond wildlife in Surrey Heath constituency.

The Government takes crimes against wildlife seriously and is aware of the ongoing and horrific misuse of catapults against wildlife.

The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 protects all wild birds and some wild animals in England and Wales. It is illegal under this Act to deliberately attempt to kill, injure, or harm protected species of wild birds. There are a range of other offences found in further legislation to protect wild animals from cruelty such as the Wild Mammals (Protection) Act 1996 and the Animal Welfare Act 2006. Significant sanctions are available to judges to hand down to those convicted of crimes under these Acts.

While Defra will continue to keep relevant legislation under review, there are sufficient laws in place to protect wildlife from targeted use of catapults and existing powers are already available for the police to tackle their misuse. Defra therefore has no current plans to take further steps to tackle the use of catapults by young people to harm pond wildlife.

Mary Creagh
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
16th Oct 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for his policies of variations in licence fees set by local authorities for dog breeding.

Under The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 (the Regulations), a local authority can charge such fees as it considers reasonable to meet its statutory licensing responsibilities. The Regulations require local authorities to provide an annual return to the department outlining their licensing fees. That information is published here.

Defra has recently completed its Post-Implementation Review of the Regulations and considered local authority returns and other evidence about the fees charged by local authorities. The review was published in December 2024 and can be found here. The Government is considering the review’s findings and will be outlining more detail on next steps in due course.

Angela Eagle
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
16th Oct 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department has considered revising its guidance to local authorities on dog breeding licence fees in relation to (a) if the licence is new or being renewed, (b) the scale of the licensed activity measured by the number of breeding dogs and (c) how far the cost recovery principle can cover enforcement.

Under The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 (the Regulations), a local authority can charge such fees as it considers reasonable to meet its statutory licensing responsibilities. The Regulations require local authorities to provide an annual return to the department outlining their licensing fees. That information is published here.

Defra has recently completed its Post-Implementation Review of the Regulations and considered local authority returns and other evidence about the fees charged by local authorities. The review was published in December 2024 and can be found here. The Government is considering the review’s findings and will be outlining more detail on next steps in due course.

Angela Eagle
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
17th Oct 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of (a) amending the Protected Landscapes duty under section 245 of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023, (b) publishing supporting regulations and (c) updating guidance.

We are working with a range of partners to consider the impact of the Protected Landscapes Duty. The duty is intended to facilitate better outcomes for England’s Protected Landscapes, which are in line with their statutory purposes.

In December, Government published guidance on the Protected Landscapes duty to ensure public bodies operating in these areas, including water companies, deliver better environmental outcomes working together with Protected Landscape organisations.

Mary Creagh
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
16th Oct 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department plans to produce a National Bluetongue Strategy.

Disease control is a devolved matter. Defra works closely with the Devolved Governments to provide, where possible, a consistent and coordinated response across the UK.

The disease control measures we deploy for incidents of bluetongue in Great Britain are set out in the ‘GB Bluetongue Virus Disease Control Strategy’.

Defra’s bluetongue disease control measures aim to limit the spread of BTV infection through proportionate and evidence-based control measures, whilst balancing the burdens of controls against the benefits of slowing the spread of bluetongue and minimising the cost of any outbreak both to Government and farmers. Our control framework, which was developed with a wide range of sector representatives, recognises that BTV control via movement restrictions was not a long-term solution, noting keepers and businesses can be affected not only by the impacts of disease on animals, but by disease control measures as well.

Angela Eagle
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
16th Oct 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of Animal Health and Welfare Pathway grants on the transition to cage free systems for laying hens.

This Government was elected on a mandate to introduce the most ambitious plans to improve animal welfare in a generation. We remain firmly committed to maintaining and improving animal welfare and will continue to work closely with the farming sector to deliver high standards. The use of cages and other close confinement systems for farmed animals is an issue which we are considering very carefully.

The Laying Hen Housing for Health and Welfare Grant, part of the broader Animal Health & Welfare Pathway, recently offered funding to commercial laying hen and pullet keepers in England to refurbish or replace housing, including for those transitioning from colony cages to high-welfare non-cage systems. The first stage of the application process closed in September 2024 with eligible applicants invited to submit a full application. Due to the extended timeframe of the grant, data regarding the assessment of potential impacts is not available.

Angela Eagle
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
16th Oct 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to determine the future of Animal Health and Welfare Pathway grants to support the transition to cage free systems for laying hens.

This Government was elected on a mandate to introduce the most ambitious plans to improve animal welfare in a generation. We remain firmly committed to maintaining and improving animal welfare and will continue to work closely with the farming sector to deliver high standards. The use of cages and other close confinement systems for farmed animals is an issue which we are considering very carefully.

The Laying Hen Housing for Health and Welfare Grant, part of the broader Animal Health & Welfare Pathway, recently offered funding to commercial laying hen and pullet keepers in England to refurbish or replace housing, including for those transitioning from colony cages to high-welfare non-cage systems. The first stage of the application process closed in September 2024 with eligible applicants invited to submit a full application. Due to the extended timeframe of the grant, data regarding the assessment of potential impacts is not available.

Angela Eagle
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
15th Oct 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what flood (a) protection, (b) mitigation and (c) response measures are in place in Newbury constituency.

In Newbury constituency there are a variety of flood defences that benefit communities. These have been delivered by organisations including the Thames Regional Flood and Coastal Committee, West Berkshire Council and the Environment Agency (EA). A full list of flood Alleviation schemes that have been delivered in this constituency is below:

  • Newbury Flood Alleviation Scheme (FAS) - 2013
  • Winterbourne FAS - 2014
  • Thatcham (seven individual projects) – 2014-2025
  • Eastbury FAS - 2015
  • Great Shefford FAS – 2025

The EA has a variety of support available in Newbury constituency to support communities to be aware of their flood risk. This includes online risk maps (Check the long term flood risk for an area in England - GOV.UK), free flood warnings for the River Kennet, Lambourn and groundwater (in some areas). The relevant Risk Management Authority also provides advice and guidance regarding personal and community flood plans and engages with communities via the Lambourn Valley and Newbury Flood & Drainage Forums.

Emma Hardy
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
16th Oct 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of (a) funding for the Canal & River Trust to maintain and improve England’s waterways and (b) the long-term funding arrangements for the Trust.

The Government is currently providing the Canal and River Trust with a 15-year grant (2012-2027) totalling about £740 million to support maintenance of the canal network infrastructure. When it was set up in 2012, the Government also provided the Trust with a permanent endowment fund now worth around £1 billion that generates a further quarter of its income. A review of the grant funding in 2021-2023 concluded that the Trust is providing value for money and there was a good case for continued grant funding. A further substantial 10-year grant from 2027 of £401 million was confirmed by the Government in August 2024. This further grant reflects the importance of the country’s inland waterways and continues to support the Trust in the long-standing objective of reducing its reliance on public funding while developing alternative funding sources.

Emma Hardy
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
15th Oct 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many and what proportion of pollution incidents did the Environment Agency attend in each of the last three years.

The Environment Agency (EA) responds to approximately 15,000 environmental incidents every year. Environmental incidents include environment management (pollution), waterways, fisheries, and water resources incidents. For each reported incident they assess the risk and likely impact and then respond accordingly.

Not all incidents reported result in site attendance, a response can be provision of advice and guidance remotely. The EA seeks to attend all serious pollution incidents (Category 1 and 2) which pose a significant risk to people or wildlife, and those incidents which could escalate to cause more serious impacts.

For example, in 2024, The EA attended 53 of 74 (72%) category 1 and 2 water industry incidents.

Emma Hardy
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
10th Oct 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the (a) potential implications for her policies of trends in the number of and (b) effectiveness of the response from local authorities in tackling stray dogs.

The Government regularly meets with stakeholders to understand the issues and trends affecting the sector. This includes the impact of the rising cost of living on pet owners and welfare organisations, as well as issues local authorities may face in meeting their obligations related to stray dogs under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

Angela Eagle
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
10th Oct 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the press notice entitled More lost pets to return home as microchipping system reformed, published on 29 March 2024, what progress her Department has made on introducing a central portal to search pet microchip records.

The Department is working closely with the Association of Microchip Database Operators to explore the development of an industry-led solution that would make it easier for authorised users to access information contained on the databases digitally.

Angela Eagle
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
15th Oct 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the EU-Mercosur Association Agreement on food (a) production, (b) supply and (c) security.

The EU-Mercosur trade agreement has not been signed yet and is a matter for the EU. We do not expect that it will impact UK food production, supply or security.

Angela Eagle
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
17th Oct 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what her policy is on marine geo-engineering.

Marine-based GGR techniques present potential environmental risks that need to be managed alongside potential climate benefits. Our priorities are developing the evidence base and establishing a science-based framework for regulation of these techniques.

Emma Hardy
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
17th Oct 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she plans to send a delegation to the (a) 47th Consultative Meeting of Contracting Parties to the London Convention and (b) 20th Meeting of Contracting Parties to the London Protocol meeting.

The 47th Consultative Meeting of Contracting Parties to the London Convention and 20th Meeting of Contracting Parties to the London Protocol will take place from 27-31 October 2025. The UK will send a delegation.

Emma Hardy
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
20th Oct 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether manure that is (a) subject to (i) annual returns to the Northern Ireland Environment Agency and (ii) veterinary approval and (b) has been granted a licence by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine of the Government of Ireland can lawfully be transported from livestock farms in Northern Ireland to the Republic of Ireland.

This is a devolved matter and the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Executive.

Angela Eagle
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
16th Oct 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what information her Department holds on the number of recommendations for improvements to private water supplies have been issued as a result of risk assessments in the last year.

231 notices were served in England. 114 were received by central Government.

Emma Hardy
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
16th Oct 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what guidance her Department has issued to local authorities on private water supply risk assessments to ensure consistency.

The Drinking Water Inspectorate publishes and maintains a suite of risk assessment tools on its website. These tools are designed to meet the risk assessment requirements of the Private Water Supplies (England) Regulations 2016 (as amended). It is not mandatory to use the tools.

Emma Hardy
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
16th Oct 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will bring forward legislative proposals to require private water supplies to be registered with a local authority who can (a) test them and (b) risk assess them.

Local authorities need only risk assess and monitor private water supplies that they are aware of that are large, shared, or where the water supply is used as part of a commercial or public activity. Supplies to single domestic dwellings need only be risk assessed and monitored if the owner or occupier of the dwelling requests it, and they may monitor at their discretion.

Emma Hardy
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
15th Oct 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department plans to take to support fishers to adopt innovative gear with proven selectivity benefits.

As a member of the UK Gear forum, Defra will continue working with the fisheries administrations and industry to promote the commercial uptake of innovative fishing gear. Together, we are exploring opportunities to overcome barriers to the adoption of more selective gear types.

Defra will work with industry to explore how the £360 million Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund can be used to target investment where it matters most, which could include investment in new technology and equipment to modernise our fishing fleet.

Angela Eagle
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
15th Oct 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to ensure high animal welfare standards in (a) dog and (b) cat rescue organisations in (i) Surrey Heath constituency and (ii) Surrey.

Rescue and rehoming establishments in England must provide for the five basic welfare needs of the animals set out in the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, it is an offence to cause any animal unnecessary suffering or to fail to provide for its welfare. Anyone who is cruel to an animal, or does not provide for its welfare, may be banned from owning animals. They may also face an unlimited fine, be sent to prison, or both.

Angela Eagle
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
15th Oct 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to tackle food price inflation.

Defra regularly engages with farmers, manufacturers and retailers to monitor the drivers of food price inflation and to encourage efficiency and fairness across the food supply chain.

Alongside this, the department’s food strategy is developing policies to ensure that individuals across the country have access to affordable, nutritious food.

Angela Eagle
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
16th Oct 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she plans to introduce regulations under the Animal (Low Welfare Activities Abroad) Act 2023 on the domestic (a) sale and (b) advertising of low welfare animal activities taking place abroad.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply previously given to the hon. Member for South Cambridgeshire, Pippa Heylings on 23 September 2025, PQ UIN 73101.

Angela Eagle
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
16th Oct 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to protect (a) swans and (b) pond wildlife in Surrey Heath constituency.

In England all wild birds are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, including Swans. This makes it an offence to kill, injure or take wild birds and to take or damage their eggs and nests.

Other priority and threatened species, including pond wildlife, are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017.

Mary Creagh
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
16th Oct 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what information her Department holds on the number of private water supplies registered in Newton Abbot constituency.

In 2024, Teignbridge reported 598 private water supplies on their register. In the Newton Abbot area specifically, one private water supply is registered.

Emma Hardy
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
16th Oct 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will take steps to increase the number of local authorities providing Ministers with results from risk assessments of private water supplies.

Local authorities have a regulatory duty to provide the Secretary of State (in practice, the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI)), with a summary of the results from the risk assessment no longer than 12 months after the day on which it was carried out. Local authorities are regularly reminded of their duties, and where they may not be being complied with, in DWI’s annual report on the quality of private water supplies in England. We would expect local authorities to comply with their statutory duties.

Emma Hardy
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
10th Oct 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department plans to diversify UK fruit and vegetable supply chains away from climate-vulnerable regions.

To ensure a consistent supply of food, the UK relies on a combination of strong domestic production from the UK’s agricultural and food manufacturing sectors, and a diverse range of overseas supply sources. Trade supports UK food supply resilience. This is due to the UK having diverse trade routes, strong international supply and purchasing power.

At home, the Government’s recently published Food Strategy identifies priority outcomes for resilient domestic production for a secure supply of healthier food, and also to create conditions for the food sector to thrive and grow sustainably, including investment in innovation and productivity, and fairer more transparent supply chains.

Angela Eagle
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
14th Oct 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 10 July 2025 to Question 65431 on Import Controls, whether the construction of the border control posts at (i) Belfast, (ii) Larne, (iii) Foyle and (iv) Warrenpoint had been completed by 13 October 2025; how much and what proportion of the total costs of the construction of those posts had been paid by 13 October 2025; and what estimate she has made of the total cost to the public purse for the construction of those posts.

In line with the commitments we have made under the Windsor Framework, SPS inspection facilities have been constructed and are operational in Northern Ireland at the ports of Foyle, Warrenpoint, Belfast and Larne with some remedial works at Larne carrying on into 2026.

The Government has committed to a maximum funding envelope of £192.3 million for all the facilities at each of the 4 ports. Of this envelope, Defra has spent £127.4 million up to the 13 October 2025.

Angela Eagle
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
10th Oct 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she will take steps to require the Environment Agency to resume responsibility for the (a) inspection, (b) cost and (c) maintenance of (i) main rivers, (ii) the Avon, (iii) Brinkworth Brook, (iv) Olivemead Drain, (v) Dauntsey Brook and (vi) the Bourne; and if she will bring forward legislative proposals to amend the Environment Act 1995 to ensure that main rivers are maintained as critical infrastructure funded through public spending.

I fully recognise the importance of flood risk maintenance. The Government has committed to redirecting £108 million in 2024/25 and 2025/26 into urgent flood and coastal defence maintenance to halt the decline of flood asset condition following years of under investment.

Watercourse management responsibilities fall to different bodies. Riparian landowners are required to maintain watercourses, under common law, while the Environment Agency (EA) uses its permissive powers to undertake maintenance on main rivers to manage flood risk.

The EA prioritises maintenance funding rigorously and focusses on those areas and activities which deliver the greatest overall benefits for people and property, including reducing flood risk and securing value for money.

The Government has no plans to bring forward legislative changes to amend the Environment Act 1995.

Emma Hardy
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)