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.

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 29 October (HL11074), whether they will make an assessment of the responsibilities of local authorities in relation to clearing up fly-tipping that takes place on a private land more than 10 metres from the highway.

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

There is no plan to make an assessment of the responsibilities of local authorities in relation to clearing up fly-tipping that takes place on a private land more than 10 metres from the highway.

Landowners are responsible for clearing waste from land that they own.

Found: 2024) 2 1 Emma Hardy MP Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (from 9 July 2024) 2 1 Baroness Hayman of Ullock

Found: animals in science 4 Rt Hon Lord Hanson of Flint Minister of State Home Office Baroness Hayman of Ullock