Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

The UK Government is committed to the effective implementation of its international obligations under the Aarhus Convention on access to information, public participation and access to justice in environmental matters.

The submission of the UK’s final Progress Report has been delayed to allow the new Government time to consider the recommendations in decision VII/8s, endorsed at the 2021 Meeting of the Parties.

We look forward to responding in due course.

On 30 August, the Government announced the start of work on a comprehensive new strategy for England, to drive down bovine tuberculosis (TB) rates to save cattle and farmers’ livelihoods and end the badger cull by the end of this parliament. This will be undertaken in co-design with farmers, vets, scientists and conservationists, ensuring the new strategy marks a significant step-change in approach to tackling this devastating disease. By beating the disease we will end any need to cull badgers.

Existing cull processes, set up under the previous administration, will be honoured to ensure clarity for farmers involved in these culls whilst new measures can be rolled out through work on the new strategy. No new intensive or supplementary badger control licences will be issued, with all existing licences issued under these policies ending by January 2026. Any application for a licence received in respect of a TB hotspot in the Low Risk Area, would be processed by Natural England, as the delegated licensing authority, in accordance with the published policy guidance for this licence type, as introduced by the previous government in 2018.

On 30 August, the Government announced the start of work on a comprehensive new strategy for England, to drive down bovine tuberculosis (TB) rates to save cattle and farmers' livelihoods and end the badger cull by the end of this parliament. This will be under-taken in co-design with farmers, vets, scientists and conservationists, ensuring the new strategy marks a significant step-change in approach to tackling this devastating disease.

The published policy guidance as introduced by the previous Government requires Natural England to set a minimum and maximum number of badgers to be removed for bovine TB disease control purposes. These numbers are published annually on GOV.UK and can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/bovine-tb-authorisation-for-badger-control-in-2024.

The Government does not have any plans to revise the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act, 2023. Currently, there are no associated implementing regulations, but my department will lay before parliament the secondary legislation required to unlock the benefits of the Precision Breeding Act as soon as parliamentary time allows.

Lawyers advised throughout the development of the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act 2023. This included how the act related to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. As stated in the Legal background section of the explanatory notes to the Act, “The UK Government considers that the Cartagena Protocol does not apply to organisms produced using modern biotechnologies if those organisms could have occurred naturally or been produced by traditional methods.” If Precision Bred plants were traded, they would have to comply with the labelling requirements of the importing country.

We have no plans to introduce biosecurity measures for all research trials involving gene-edited plants. These plants only contain genetic sequence that could arise through traditional breeding. However, unlike equivalent trials for traditionally bred plants, Defra asks for confirmation that the person with overall responsibility for them will put in place appropriate measures, as necessary, to minimise the possibility of material from the plants entering the human food or animal feed systems.

These plants only contain genetic sequence that could arise through traditional breeding. However, unlike equivalent trials for traditionally bred plants, Defra asks for confirmation that the person with overall responsibility for them will put in place appropriate measures, as necessary, to minimise the possibility of material from the plants entering the human food or animal feed systems.

All gene-edited seed must be authorised under GMO legislation before it can be marketed. We have not authorised these plants for marketing purposes and as such, the plant breeder cannot apply for National Listing.

Waste is a devolved policy, and the devolved administrations have their own arrangements for household and business recycling and waste collections. There are currently no plans for blister packs to be included in the list of materials to be collected at kerbside through Simpler Recycling reforms.

Modulation of pEPR fees, which will be introduced in from year 2 of the scheme, will be used to disincentivise packaging formats that are not readily recyclable.

The Government has published Planning Practice Guidance, which details what applicants seeking planning permission for battery energy storage systems can do to ensure they consider any potential risks. By law, planning applications are determined in accordance with the development plan, unless material considerations indicate otherwise. Each application is judged on its own individual merit and the weight given to these considerations is a matter for the local planning authority as the decision taker in the first instance. Planning Practice Guidance encourages battery storage developers and local planning authorities to engage with Local Fire and Rescue Services (FRSs) before submitting and determining planning application, so that issues of the siting and location of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are dealt with before the application is made.

Spatial planning will play an important role in the delivery of the Government’s growth and clean energy missions. The Land Use Framework will work hand-in-hand with the Strategic Spatial Energy Plan, which will support a more actively planned approach to energy infrastructure across England, Scotland and Wales, identifying appropriate areas for power generation and storage infrastructure including batteries.

While we recognise the importance of sanitary and phytosanitary checks on certain imports, this Government is also committed to reducing unnecessary barriers to trade and cutting red tape by striking a fair balance between business and biosecurity.

As such we are reviewing the current border controls brought into place on 30 April under the previous Government.

Information about the common user charge can be found on here. We will publish further information in due course on the charge.

Monitoring and enforcing the border controls introduced under the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM) is undertaken collaboratively between bodies including Defra, the Animal and Plant Health Agency, Border Force and HMRC.

Our checks are intelligence-led and based on biosecurity risk: It would be inappropriate for us to set out operational details such as the exact inspection details from 30 April.

Checking details, such as time taken to review consignments, could be used by bad actors looking for exploitable elements of the border to facilitate illegal imports

Furthermore, this information is also commercially sensitive. HMG does not wish to impact trader choice of route as details of checks completed may advantage/disadvantage other ports as traders may BCP shop to find what appears on paper to be the “fastest route”.

The impact of the Border Target Operating Model to cut flower trade is expected to be minimal.

A limited group of European Union (EU) cut flowers (such as chrysanthemum and carnations and orchids), are medium risk goods; all other EU cut flowers are low risk and will not be subject to border checks.

EU Medium risk cut flowers have been subject to prenotification since 1 January 2022 and EU Medium risk cut flowers have required a Phytosanitary Certificate (PC) since 31 January 2024, and inspections at the border since 30 April 2024.

EU Plants for planting are already classified as high-risk goods, and subject to inspection at place of destination. There is no change regarding the need for inspections, just a change of location of these inspections to Border Control Posts or Control Points.

HFC-23 emissions in the UK are reported annually in the National Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory submitted to the UNFCCC and have been assessed to be insignificant (~0.0MtCO₂e) for all reported years since 2010. Since 2012, HFC-23 emissions have represented less than 0.1% of the UK’s territorial HFC emissions.

As a donor country to the Montreal Protocol’s Multilateral Fund, the UK provides financial support for developing countries to comply with their Kigali Amendment obligations, including those regarding HFC-23.

The Government remains committed to securing the long-term future of the hen harrier as a breeding bird in England. This currently includes the implementation of the six actions set out in the Hen Harrier Action Plan. Changes to this approach in the future would require ministerial review.

No brood management of hen harriers was carried out this year. Natural England is currently reviewing and analysing the data gathered under the hen harrier brood management trial, a process which will be concluded later this year. These findings will play a critical role in assessing the effectiveness of brood management as a conservation technique.

Defra is in the process of reviewing the F-gas Regulation, including consideration for reducing the use of SF₆ in the power sector.

Alternative technologies to the use of SF₆ in the power sector are being developed, with some already available and being deployed. As the review of the F-gas Regulation progresses, we will review the need for any future action within the F-gas regulatory regime to support the transition.

The Government is currently reviewing its pesticide policies.

A pesticide may only be placed on the market in GB if the product has been authorised by our expert regulator, the Health and Safety Executive, following a thorough scientific risk assessment that concludes all safety standards are met. Pesticides that pose unacceptable risks are not authorised.

The Government is currently studying the existing information surrounding the long-term viability and health of badger populations and considering commissioning research to fill any information gaps. It is important to this Government that any policy is informed by adequate scientific research and information.

We are currently considering the findings of the published Torgerson et al paper, which is a reanalysis of the Randomised Badger Culling Trial carried out in the 2000s.

The Government included a commitment in their election manifesto to work with farmers and scientists towards a package that can create bovine TB free status, including rolling out vaccinations, herd management and biosecurity to protect farmers' livelihoods. This Government will end badger culling.

More details of the Government’s approach to tackle bovine TB and to end badger culling will be set out in due course.

The Government has no current plans to introduce a legal definition to specifically cover the use of the term ‘sourdough’. The UK maintains high food standards including on requirements relating to food labelling and information. Existing legislation ensures the labelling and marketing of food, including sourdough products, does not intentionally mislead consumers.

This government will create a circular economy that: uses our resources as efficiently and productively as possible, minimises environmental impacts, accelerates Net Zero, supports economic growth, and delivers green jobs.

We are reviewing the suite of packaging reforms – including the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for drinks containers – working with the devolved governments and industry to determine the next steps for the Deposit Return Scheme. I will be happy to update the House in due course.

Farming and food production are at the heart of the Government’s agenda and an important part of our mission-driven government approach.

In partnership with the sector, we are considering a number of ways to achieve our ambitious, measurable and long-term goals for the sector. This includes building on our long-standing R&D investment in crop breeding. In July 2024, Defra awarded a further £15 million over the next five years to fund five crop Genetic Improvement Networks. This includes £9 million for horticulture (soft fruit; vegetables; and pulse crops).

The Government supports species reintroductions where there are clear benefits for nature, people and the environment. All reintroductions in England are expected to follow the Code for Reintroductions and other Conservation Translocations. We will continue to work with Natural England to develop our approach to beaver reintroductions in England.

We publish several indicators of invertebrate abundance every year. Generally, the population trends of our native insect species show a mixed picture which varies between species and habitats. For example, the indicator for the overall abundance of butterflies in England has shown little or no change between 1976 and 2022 and while the index for farmland species has remained stable the abundance of woodland butterflies has declined steeply since 1990.

Insect decline is driven by various factors including habitat loss and fragmentation, climate change, introduction of new species and diseases, light pollution, pesticides and other aspects of agricultural intensification. It is difficult to attribute specific drivers to individual declines in insect species. However, land use change and habitat loss are likely to be the main contributors to insect decline within the UK.

Insects underpin food webs in both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems so, alongside other factors such as habitat loss, changes in insect populations are likely to be contributing to declines in insectivorous species including bats, birds and amphibians.

This Government has set out its intention to deliver for nature, taking action to meet our Environment Act targets, and working in partnership with civil society, communities and business to restore and protect our natural world. For example, the Government will change existing policies to prevent the use of deadly neonicotinoid pesticides that threaten bees.

To inform delivery of the targets, Natural England’s ‘Threatened Species Recovery Actions’ project has already identified the targeted actions needed to for the conservation and recovery of 240 insect species. Assessment of a further 300 insect species is underway. Natural England’s Species Recovery Programme is key to delivering many of these recovery actions. Example projects include creating flight corridors and increasing food plants for the pearl bordered fritillary butterfly, woodland enhancement for the grizzled skipper butterfly and the reintroduction of one of our rarest grasshoppers, the large marsh grasshopper.

Additionally, we will change existing policies to prevent the use of those neonicotinoid pesticides that threaten our vital pollinators.

The fifteenth Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP15) established a new multilateral benefit sharing mechanism, including a global fund, to share benefits derived from the use of digital sequence information on genetic resources. The details of the mechanism are to be finalised at COP16.

The mechanism presents opportunities for science and business, as well as for the conservation of biodiversity.

The UK is taking a leading role in the negotiations, both as a co-chair of the international process, and as a negotiating Party. We are working closely with the private sector to ensure their views are represented and have commissioned independent research on the impacts of different approaches. We are working closely across the multiple international forums where DSI is being addressed.

The government has no current plans to reopen investigations into the tragic death of Zane Gbangbola. If there is a belief that the evidence was not considered properly during the original inquest, or that there is new evidence available then there is a legal process via the Attorney General that should be followed. Due consideration of the merits of an inquiry will be made at the appropriate time if, and when these legal processes have been exhausted.

Under Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, each local authority has a duty to inspect its area to identify and require remediation of contaminated land, including historic landfills. A risk-based approach is used to define contaminated land, with regulators required to intervene in cases where land poses an unacceptable risk to human health, property or the environment.

Risks of significant harm to human health are already considered by regulators within the existing regulations. The current risk-based approach ensures the sites that do pose the greatest risk to people and the environment are prioritised and appropriately managed.

The Government’s priority is to reach an agreement on an ambitious legally binding treaty covering the full life cycle of plastics by the end of 2024.

As a member of the High Ambition Coalition to End Plastic Pollution we support binding provisions to restrain and reduce the production and consumption of primary plastic polymers to sustainable levels.