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 data are being gathered to create greater transparency in supply chains under Part 3 of Schedule 6 to the Agriculture Act 2020, for what purposes, and whether they are being published.
Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Part 3 of Schedule 6 to the Agriculture Act 2020 provides powers for Government to collect and share supply chain data where this would improve transparency and support the functioning of agricultural markets. These powers have not been exercised to date.
These powers were taken largely to replace equivalent EU data-collection powers to ensure that Government retained the ability to collect information should market conditions require it.
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 protocols are in place to monitor the environmental and public health impacts of plastic biomedia or bio-beads in wastewater treatment plants.
Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Bio-beads must comply with all material content regulations and standards when supplied.
The Environment Agency (EA) is working alongside the water sector on an ongoing research project, led by UK Water Industry Research (UKWIR), looking at the complex issue of the impact of microplastics generated by wastewater treatment works.
In the event of any escape of bio media from wastewater treatment works above permitted controls or that may cause significant pollution, Water Companies must immediately report this as a pollution incident to the EA, which will investigate and take necessary enforcement action. The Secretary of State for Defra has written to Water Companies to reiterate how unacceptable the pollution incident at Camber Sands is, and to stress the positive action Water Companies must take to ensure their infrastructure is functioning correctly.
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 the source of large quantities of waste dumped by the River Cherwell in Oxfordshire; what assessment they have made of systematic waste disposal issues; and what plans they have for clean-up of the waste, and to what timescale.
Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Environment Agency (EA) has declared this case as a critical incident and is leading the multi-agency emergency response with the local police, fire services and Oxfordshire County Council following several lines of inquiry. Specialist officers are investigating the site so that the individuals responsible are caught, prosecuted, and made to pay for the damage including the clear up. We cannot commit to a timescale at this stage. While this investigation takes place the EA is taking robust steps to prevent contamination of the River Cherwell.
Separate to the incident in Oxfordshire the Government is making policy and regulatory reforms to close loopholes exploited by criminals - fundamentally reforming the waste carriers, brokers and dealers system, tightening waste permit exemptions and introducing digital waste tracking.
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 whether they plan to tighten regulations on the transport and storage of nurdles in line with the EU, and what other measures they will take to reduce the environmental and human health threats of nurdles.
Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Government currently has no plans to align nurdle transport and storage regulations with those of the EU.
The Government has supported industry-led initiatives such as Operation Clean Sweep, to promote good practice in pellet loss prevention.
As a Contracting Party to the OSPAR Convention, the UK has led work under the Regional Action Plan on Marine Litter, resulting in an OSPAR Recommendation on minimum standards for pellet loss certification schemes. The UK also supported development of a British Standards Institution Publicly Available Specification, published in July 2021, which sets out measures for businesses to reduce pellet loss and complies with the OSPAR Recommendation.
Pellet loss is a global issue, and the UK has called for specific provisions in the new international treaty on plastic pollution to address pellet loss throughout the supply chain. Additionally, the UK is working at the International Maritime Organization to introduce mandatory measures for the carriage of plastic pellets by sea in freight containers.
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, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Hayman of Ullock on 8 July (HL9038), what actions they have taken to reduce the environmental impact of pet parasiticides, particularly fipronil and imidacloprid.
Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
We recognise increasing concerns about the environmental impact of spot-on parasiticide treatments for companion animals. Research funded by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) has improved understanding of how substances such as fipronil and imidacloprid enter the environment, but further evidence is needed to address gaps around contamination sources, behavioural influences, and effective monitoring. To strengthen this evidence base, the VMD has launched a national survey to gather data on pet owner behaviours. In parallel, exposure modelling is being explored to support potential future regulatory decisions. These initiatives aim to safeguard animal health while reducing environmental impacts.
On 14 August 2025, the cross-Government Pharmaceuticals in the Environment Group convened its first stakeholder workshop on the ‘Appropriate and Practical Use of Topical Pet Parasiticides’, engaging a wide range of stakeholders from the companion animal sector. The workshop focused on developing educational messaging for pet owners on the correct use and disposal of parasiticides, which is now being refined and is expected to launch in spring. Additional measures to promote responsible parasiticide use were also explored and will be taken forward by other stakeholder groups, with the VMD helping to facilitate collaboration where appropriate.
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 steps they are taking to deliver on the ambitions of the International Fungal Conservation Pledge through domestic policies; and what assessment they have made of the merits of action to better protect fungi.
Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The UK Government co-launched the pledge with the Chilean Government and remains committed to promoting action that recognises the vital role fungi plays in the ecosystem. Domestically, Natural England are leading a consortium of experts (including Natural Resources Wales, NatureScot, RBG Kew, Aberystwyth University, the British Mycological Society) to develop the first Great Britain Red List of non-lichenised fungi in 15 years, identifying species most at risk and requiring protection. In August, Natural England published the Threatened Species Recovery Actions (TSRA) which includes measures for 155 fungi and lichen species, alongside work on reintroductions and improving data access. UK government also supports the new Network for Fungal Conservation, which brings together agencies, NGOs and experts to embed fungi in nature recovery plans. The UK is also playing a leading role in research that will enhance our understanding of the evolution of fungi and the role they play in ecosystems, including through work at RBG Kew, where Defra funding is supporting the DNA sequencing of the world's largest fungarium (collection of fungi). Internationally, we are leading a proposal to ensure fungi are better recognised within the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) at this year’s Conference of the Parties (CoP20) and continue to engage with experts through the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
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 whether they are planning to review the design and adequacy of the Fair Dealing Obligations (Milk) Regulations 2024.
Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Fair Dealings Obligations (Milk) Regulations 2024 include a statutory review provision requiring an assessment of the regulatory provisions and a published report outlining the conclusions.
The review will consider whether the Regulations are meeting their intended objectives, how effectively those objectives are being achieved, and whether they remain appropriate. The review will be carried out in due course.
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 how many meetings the Agriculture Supply Chain Adjudicator and Grocery Code Adjudicator have had since the former adjudicator was established to share information and discuss food supply chain issues that may cross between them, and what were the outcomes of the meetings.
Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
As of 17 November 2025, the Agricultural Supply Chain Adjudicator (ASCA) has received 1 formal complaint relating to areas of a milk purchase contract that was alleged to be not compliant with the requirements of the Fair Dealing Obligations (Milk) Regulations 2024. ASCA led an informal resolution which was fully agreed between the complainant and the processor resulting in an amended milk purchase contract being provided to the producer. No formal intervention was required from the ASCA as the complaint was withdrawn by the producer.
The ‘in confidence’ ASCA email channel was established to ensure producers could raise issues to the ASCA without fear of identification or reprisal. This was identified as a key barrier for producers to raise their concerns in an earlier ASCA survey. No formal complaints have been raised via this channel, but the ASCA has received over 15 separate issues in confidence. The confidential feedback has been used by ASCA to raise specific and anonymised issues with industry where possible.
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 how many cases have been brought to the Agriculture Supply Chain Adjudicator under the Fair Dealing Obligations (Milk) Regulations 2024; what was the nature of the code breaches alleged; and what were the outcomes of the cases.
Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
As of 17 November 2025, the Agricultural Supply Chain Adjudicator (ASCA) has received 1 formal complaint relating to areas of a milk purchase contract that was alleged to be not compliant with the requirements of the Fair Dealing Obligations (Milk) Regulations 2024. ASCA led an informal resolution which was fully agreed between the complainant and the processor resulting in an amended milk purchase contract being provided to the producer. No formal intervention was required from the ASCA as the complaint was withdrawn by the producer.
The ‘in confidence’ ASCA email channel was established to ensure producers could raise issues to the ASCA without fear of identification or reprisal. This was identified as a key barrier for producers to raise their concerns in an earlier ASCA survey. No formal complaints have been raised via this channel, but the ASCA has received over 15 separate issues in confidence. The confidential feedback has been used by ASCA to raise specific and anonymised issues with industry where possible.
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 how many complaints have been received through the Agriculture Supply Chain Adjudicator's confidential email account, and what actions have been taken as a result.
Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
As of 17 November 2025, the Agricultural Supply Chain Adjudicator (ASCA) has received 1 formal complaint relating to areas of a milk purchase contract that was alleged to be not compliant with the requirements of the Fair Dealing Obligations (Milk) Regulations 2024. ASCA led an informal resolution which was fully agreed between the complainant and the processor resulting in an amended milk purchase contract being provided to the producer. No formal intervention was required from the ASCA as the complaint was withdrawn by the producer.
The ‘in confidence’ ASCA email channel was established to ensure producers could raise issues to the ASCA without fear of identification or reprisal. This was identified as a key barrier for producers to raise their concerns in an earlier ASCA survey. No formal complaints have been raised via this channel, but the ASCA has received over 15 separate issues in confidence. The confidential feedback has been used by ASCA to raise specific and anonymised issues with industry where possible.