Found: Letter from Lord Carlile of Berriew to Baroness Hayman of Ullock re: The Marking of Retail Goods Regulations

Found: Letter from Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Defra) to Lord Carlile of Berriew re Marking of Retail Goods Regs

Found: copying this letter to Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland; Baroness Hayman of Ullock

Found: UK is currently working on a domestic co-design solution to these proposals supported by Baroness Hayman of Ullock

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.

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 30 October (HL11477), whether they will keep the flooding spending formula under regular review as the evidence base for the effectiveness of natural flood management techniques grows.

Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Delivering on the Government’s Plan for Change, we are investing record levels in flood protection. Over the next Spending Review period (2026/27 to 2028/29), £4.2 billion will be allocated to build new flood schemes and maintain and repair existing defences across the country. This equates to an average of £1.4 billion per year, a 5% increase on the current average of £1.33 billion for 2024/25 and 2025/26. Further details will be published in due course, including the split between capital and revenue funding.

Natural flood management (NFM) plays a vital role in reducing flood risk while delivering wider benefits for people, communities, and the environment. That is why we will be investing at least £300m in NFM over ten years – the highest figure to date for the floods programme. We have also removed barriers that previously held back these projects. Working closely with the Environment Agency, we will explore opportunities to enable more landscape-scale NFM through partnership working and strengthen the evidence base for these interventions.

To ensure the new funding policy delivers effective outcomes, including NFM, we will review its impact after three years.

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 30 October (HL11477), how much of the £4.2 billion spending review commitment for flood defences will be made up of capital spending.

Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Delivering on the Government’s Plan for Change, we are investing record levels in flood protection. Over the next Spending Review period (2026/27 to 2028/29), £4.2 billion will be allocated to build new flood schemes and maintain and repair existing defences across the country. This equates to an average of £1.4 billion per year, a 5% increase on the current average of £1.33 billion for 2024/25 and 2025/26. Further details will be published in due course, including the split between capital and revenue funding.

Natural flood management (NFM) plays a vital role in reducing flood risk while delivering wider benefits for people, communities, and the environment. That is why we will be investing at least £300m in NFM over ten years – the highest figure to date for the floods programme. We have also removed barriers that previously held back these projects. Working closely with the Environment Agency, we will explore opportunities to enable more landscape-scale NFM through partnership working and strengthen the evidence base for these interventions.

To ensure the new funding policy delivers effective outcomes, including NFM, we will review its impact after three years.

Found: Nil Return Nil Return Mary Creagh Nil Return Nil Return Nil Return Nil Return Nil Return Baroness Hayman of Ullock

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Found: Nil Return Mary Creagh Nil Return Nil Return Nil Return Nil Return Nil Return Nil Return Baroness Hayman of Ullock

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