May. 29 2025
Source Page: Peter Unwin CB named as Natural England Deputy ChairMay. 29 2025
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Source Page: Biodiversity net gain for nationally significant infrastructure projectsMay. 28 2025
Source Page: Improving the implementation of biodiversity net gain for minor, medium and brownfield developmentMay. 28 2025
Source Page: Public urged to report suspected waste crime as new heatmaps publishedMay. 28 2025
Source Page: £30M Boost for Farmers Leading the Way in Nature RestorationAsked by: Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative - Thirsk and Malton)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he plans to de-designate the Swanscombe Peninsula Site of Special Scientific Interest to allow housebuilding previously planned for the Ebbsfleet Development Corporation.
Answered by Mary Creagh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Section 28D of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 provides the legal framework for denotification of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). If Natural England’s opinion is that an SSSI (or part of an SSSI) is no longer of special interest e.g. because of natural changes, they can denotify it. The Secretary of State has no role in the de-notification of terrestrial SSSIs.
Natural England has no plans to de-notify the site. They report that all but 1 of the 12 special features of Swanscombe Peninsula are in favourable condition.
Asked by: Joe Robertson (Conservative - Isle of Wight East)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether beverage industry manufacturers will be required to pay the Extended Producer Responsibility levy if they sell their products in the on-trade market with proof from the vendor of a non-council-funded recycling scheme.
Answered by Mary Creagh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The current regulations do not allow for this. This is because there are real challenges in effectively applying and compliance monitoring such an exemption across all sectors and producer types, resulting in a significant risk of misreporting and fraud. Government however recognises the strong views of stakeholders and is looking again at the household packaging definition. A new period of stakeholder engagement on this issue will commence shortly.
Asked by: Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative - Thirsk and Malton)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 28 April 2025 to Question 45683 on Waste Management: Birmingham, if he will publish the (a) advice and (b) assessments provided by the Environment Agency as part of the multi-agency response.
Answered by Mary Creagh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Environment Agency (EA) has been a core member of the multi-agency response from the outset. This has not required the production of any risk assessments or written advice in connection with the ongoing incident. The EA is committed to the ongoing support to our partners and has confirmed support for the risk assessments and plans produced by Birmingham City Council as part of the multiagency response.
Asked by: Alicia Kearns (Conservative - Rutland and Stamford)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when the next deer management strategy will be published.
Answered by Mary Creagh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
We recognise new and existing woodlands are under pressure from increasing damage caused by over-foraging of young trees and woodland flora by wild deer. We are considering how to go further to reduce these impacts and will provide an update in due course. Defra provides a range of grant support to individuals and for projects, to help landowners and managers tackle deer impacts. We have also invested in relevant research and provide guidance and in-person advice, including via dedicated Deer Officers within the Forestry Commission.