Asked by: Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle (Green Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of (1) agricultural composting facilities, (2) green waste, and (3) crop residue piles, as potential reservoirs for azole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus; and what plans they have to improve surveillance of that issue.
Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
In support of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) national action plan commitments, the Environment Agency (EA) actively carries out research into environmental transmission and risks associated with antimicrobial resistance. This includes research on monitoring antifungal resistance and bioaerosols.
The EA recognises the potential human health impacts of bioaerosols, particularly on the respiratory system. The EA actively regulates bioaerosol risks from waste treatment, including open composting of green wastes and digestate fibres. Regulated activities must hold a permit. Higher risk facilities monitor bioaerosol emissions including aspergillus fumigatus. These controls developed from over a decade of research collaboration with the EA, academia and industry.
External crop residue storage (non-waste) at anaerobic digestion (AD) sites does not require a permit. However, Defra has recently concluded a consultation on regulatory reform to include non-waste AD facilities. The reform has potential scope to align non-waste AD with regulated waste AD under the Environmental Permitting Regulations.
Asked by: Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government what training and guidance is provided to civil servants on how to fulfil the requirements of section 19 of the Environment Act 2021 when drafting proposals for secondary legislation.
Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Defra has been working closely with departments across Government to support them in the duty contained in section 19 of the Environment Act 2021 to have due regard to the Environmental Principles Policy Statement when making policy (which may include secondary legislation). Our ‘toolkit’ of resources was disseminated widely across government ahead of the duty coming into force. The toolkit includes advice notes and examples about the environmental principles to help understand the duty, and information about where to go for further help. We have also revised relevant cross-government guidance, including the Cabinet Office Guide to Making Legislation. The Environmental Principles Policy Statement training course on Civil Service Learning is available to all civil servants and provides an overview of the duty, the environmental principles and how to apply them. Some departments and arm’s length bodies have developed additional internal guidance and training. Defra recently published its “Environmental Principles Policy Statement (EPPS) Implementation - Early-Stage Review” (see attached) where the content of the toolkit and learning materials are discussed in more detail.
Asked by: Lord Carrington (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the requirements for the training and certification of technicians in the use of alternative products during the planned transition away from fluorinated gases.
Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
F-gas regulatory changes, such as training and certification, are out of the scope of the hydrofluorocarbon phasedown consultation but their importance in delivery of the phasedown is recognised. The UK Government, in collaboration with the Scottish and Welsh Governments, is committed to further exploring other areas for F-gas reform.
Asked by: Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle (Green Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to penalise catering outlets for any unreasonable refusal to provide drinks in customer-owned reusable cups.
Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Government is committed to reducing single‑use packaging waste and supporting packaging reuse. We recognise that many consumers wish to use their own reusable cups, and many businesses already accommodate this.
At present, we do not have plans to introduce penalties for catering outlets that decline to serve drinks in customer‑owned reusable cups.
Asked by: Lord Carrington (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will consider mandatory training regarding flammable refrigerants as part of the hydrofluorocarbons phasedown.
Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
F-gas regulatory changes, such as training and certification, are out of the scope of the hydrofluorocarbon phasedown consultation but their importance in delivery of the phasedown is recognised. The UK Government, in collaboration with the Scottish and Welsh Governments, is committed to further exploring other areas for F-gas reform.
Asked by: Lord Carrington (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure the F gas regulation in Great Britain consultation allows industry sufficient time to carry out safety checks on alternative gases.
Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The consultation on reforming the hydrofluorocarbon phasedown seeks views from respondents about potential wider impacts from the proposal. We will take into account responses to those views when making decisions following the consultation.
Asked by: Lord Carrington (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will meet with manufacturers from the heating, refrigeration and air conditioning industries to discuss their proposed hydrofluorocarbons phasedown schedule.
Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Officials have been in regular contact with sector representatives during the current consultation on reforming the hydrofluorocarbon phasedown and before it. They welcome further discussions as part of ongoing engagement with the sector.
Asked by: Lord Birt (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will announce plans to (1) counter the illegal dumping of waste, and (2) remove such waste.
Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Government has announced its plans to reform both the waste carriers, brokers and dealers regime and the waste permit exemptions regime. This will make it harder for rogue operators to find work in the sector and easier for regulators to take action against criminals. In addition, our planned digital waste tracking reforms will make it harder than ever to mis-identify waste or dispose of it inappropriately. We have also increased the Environment Agency’s total budget for 2025 to 2026. This includes £15.6 million for waste crime enforcement – a more than 50% increase from 2024/25.
Neither the Government nor local authorities should be held responsible for the associated costs of clearing up after waste criminals as to do so may risk creating a perverse incentive for some people to dump, or facilitate the dumping of, waste. Those who pollute - rather than taxpayers - should cover the costs of clean up. The Environment Agency is not funded to clear illegal waste sites; however, action may be taken if there is an immediate, significant risk to health or the environment.
Asked by: Earl of Caithness (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to work with the European Union on faster access to biocontrol; and over what timescale.
Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Government is committed to encouraging the increased development, access and use of low risk biopesticides as a key component of Integrated Pest Management and the UK Pesticides National Action Plan.
The Government has agreed with the EU to establish a common food safety area by way of a Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement. Pesticides, including biopesticides, are in scope. The EU is also committed to encouraging development and use of biopesticides, as highlighted in their proposed Food and Feed safety simplification omnibus package. The agreement provides an opportunity to work closely with the EU to support faster access to biopesticides.
Asked by: Shaun Davies (Labour - Telford)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of increasing the maximum penalty for dog fouling offences.
Answered by Mary Creagh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 provides the police, local authorities and other local agencies with a range of flexible tools and powers that they can use to respond quickly and effectively to anti-social behaviour. These powers include Public Space Protection Orders which can be used to, among other things, require dog owners to pick up their dog's faeces.
Through the Crime and Policing Bill, the Home Office are increasing the upper limit for a fixed penalty notice for breaches of a Public Spaces Protection Order from £100 to £500.