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 5 February (HL14038), why the potential risks of chronic exposure to users and children is not listed in the Veterinary Medicines Directorate product information database of authorised products.

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

When conducting a user risk assessment, before a veterinary medicine is authorised, both the hazards and the likely exposures to humans, including the children in a household, are considered. Data from both acute and chronic toxicology studies using animal models are used to identify the possible negative reactions that may be seen in humans if exposed. Several exposure scenarios are considered, including reasonable worst-case scenarios, leading to a conservative estimate of the actual risks to those that may come into contact with a veterinary medicine. A hazard may be identified, but if the exposure to the medicines is likely to be low, then this leads to minimal risk to the person. If risks are identified, they are listed on the product information database, alongside advice on how to minimise those risks. VMD collects data on adverse reactions reported to them and to pharmaceutical companies, once a product is on the market, and can update the risk profile and user warnings where these data indicate a concern.

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 5 February (HL14039), (1) when the regulatory review of the AVM‑GSL status of products containing fipronil and imidacloprid will be completed, and (2) whether input from vets and scientists external to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate will be consulted and contribute to the review.

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

The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) is undertaking a review of the AVM‑GSL status of veterinary medicines containing fipronil and imidacloprid, and further details on the review will be published in the coming weeks. A completion date cannot yet be provided as this is dependent on finalising the process and associated milestones.

The review will include a consultative process, drawing on evidence and input from all stakeholders. All decisions will be based on robust scientific assessment, with animal health and welfare remaining paramount throughout the review.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer from Baroness Hayman of Ullock on 26 November 2025 (HL11789), what steps they have taken to communicate the ambition of the International Fungal Conservation Pledge and ensure national alignment with the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs' national team, the Joint Nature Conservation Committee and devolved government agencies.

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

Further to those actions set out in our response to PQ UIN HL11789, in September 2025 Defra participated in the launch of the UK Network for Fungal Conservation. The network, which currently includes Defra, NE, JNCC, NIEA and DAERA membership, brings together representatives from statutory bodies, research institutes, conservation NGOs and other fungal conservation professionals to work on fungal conservation across the UK. During the first quarter of 2026, the network will work on a collaborative new strategy and delivery plan for fungal conservation in the UK, enabling its integration with the new global strategy for fungal conservation.

Additionally, and in line with the UK’s commitment to the International Fungal Conservation Pledge, the UK led a proposal at CoP20 (December 2025) to develop a programme of work on how CITES should be applied to fungi in practice. This proposal was adopted by the Parties.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answers by Baroness Hayman of Ullock on 20 January (HL13504) and 21 January (HL13620), whether it is their policy that, where landowners cannot afford or are not technically able or qualified to remove waste, it will remain in place indefinitely.

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

The Government may step in and clear waste in exceptional circumstances to protect the public and the environment. However, as with any other type of crime the Government cannot and should not fund a general clean-up service for criminals at the expense of the taxpayer. We do however acknowledge that this approach can sometimes leave waste in situ for long periods of time.

Found: Article 4A(3) of (EC) No 1907/2006 (“UK REACH”) Welsh Ministers’ consent was sought from Baroness Hayman of Ullock