Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many ground-mounted solar projects have been (1) permitted, and (2) built on grades 3a and 3b agricultural land since 2020; and what is the total acreage of those projects.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The government places great importance upon our agricultural land and food production. The National Planning Policy Framework is clear that planning policies and decisions should recognise the benefits of the Best and Most Versatile Agricultural Land (land in grades 1, 2 and 3a of the Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) system). Where significant development of agricultural land is demonstrated to be necessary, areas of poorer quality land should be preferred to those of a higher quality.

As of the end of September 2024, ground-mounted solar PV panels covered an estimated 21,200 hectares. This amounts to around 0.1% of the land area of the UK. The government does not hold information on the number of ground-mounted solar projects that have been permitted and built on different agricultural grades, or the number of acres of grade 1 and 2 land which has been built on since 2020.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many ground-mounted solar projects have been (1) permitted and (2) built on grades 4 and 5 agricultural land since 2020; and what is the total acreage of those projects.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The government places great importance upon our agricultural land and food production. The National Planning Policy Framework is clear that planning policies and decisions should recognise the benefits of the Best and Most Versatile Agricultural Land (land in grades 1, 2 and 3a of the Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) system). Where significant development of agricultural land is demonstrated to be necessary, areas of poorer quality land should be preferred to those of a higher quality.

As of the end of September 2024, ground-mounted solar PV panels covered an estimated 21,200 hectares. This amounts to around 0.1% of the land area of the UK. The government does not hold information on the number of ground-mounted solar projects that have been permitted and built on different agricultural grades, or the number of acres of grade 1 and 2 land which has been built on since 2020.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many ground-mounted solar projects have been (1) permitted, and (2) built on grades 1 and 2 agricultural land since 2020; and what is the total acreage of those projects.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The government places great importance upon our agricultural land and food production. The National Planning Policy Framework is clear that planning policies and decisions should recognise the benefits of the Best and Most Versatile Agricultural Land (land in grades 1, 2 and 3a of the Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) system). Where significant development of agricultural land is demonstrated to be necessary, areas of poorer quality land should be preferred to those of a higher quality.

As of the end of September 2024, ground-mounted solar PV panels covered an estimated 21,200 hectares. This amounts to around 0.1% of the land area of the UK. The government does not hold information on the number of ground-mounted solar projects that have been permitted and built on different agricultural grades, or the number of acres of grade 1 and 2 land which has been built on since 2020.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government what percentage of farmland is currently used by ground-mounted solar panels; and what estimate they have made of the percentage of farmland used by ground-mounted solar panels by 2050.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The government places great importance upon our agricultural land and food production. The National Planning Policy Framework is clear that planning policies and decisions should recognise the benefits of the Best and Most Versatile Agricultural Land (land in grades 1, 2 and 3a of the Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) system). Where significant development of agricultural land is demonstrated to be necessary, areas of poorer quality land should be preferred to those of a higher quality.

As of the end of September 2024, ground-mounted solar PV panels covered an estimated 21,200 hectares. This amounts to around 0.1% of the land area of the UK. The government does not hold information on the number of ground-mounted solar projects that have been permitted and built on different agricultural grades, or the number of acres of grade 1 and 2 land which has been built on since 2020.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many acres of grade 1 and 2 agricultural land have been built on since 2020.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The government places great importance upon our agricultural land and food production. The National Planning Policy Framework is clear that planning policies and decisions should recognise the benefits of the Best and Most Versatile Agricultural Land (land in grades 1, 2 and 3a of the Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) system). Where significant development of agricultural land is demonstrated to be necessary, areas of poorer quality land should be preferred to those of a higher quality.

As of the end of September 2024, ground-mounted solar PV panels covered an estimated 21,200 hectares. This amounts to around 0.1% of the land area of the UK. The government does not hold information on the number of ground-mounted solar projects that have been permitted and built on different agricultural grades, or the number of acres of grade 1 and 2 land which has been built on since 2020.

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

Found: Baroness Hayman of Ullock: Yes, of course.

Found: the offer is reviewed against the Government’s priority to protect UK biosecurity, and I am (Baroness Hayman

Found: I know that the Secretary of State, Hilary Benn, and Baroness Hayman have led that group well and it

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 March (HL5459 and HL5460), whether assessments of samples for disposal at sea are determined by cost to the applicant or best available evidence.

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

Before material is disposed of at sea, Defra bodies follow OSPAR guidelines for assessing contaminant levels in samples. Cefas use the best available evidence when providing advice to the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) on contaminant levels in such samples. Assessments required may vary depending on the type of material and historic use of a site from which any material is dredged. Assessments are only used when the evidence they provide is necessary to determine if a material is suitable for disposal at sea, and this avoids disproportionate costs for applicants. The MMO then consider this evidence when determining applications to dispose of material at sea.

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 March (HL5458 and HL5459), in what circumstances the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) would insist that bioassays are undertaken; and how many times in the past five years CEFAS has required such bioassays, and for which disposal licences.

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

Cefas cannot insist that specific assessments are undertaken to support disposal licence applications as Cefas holds no regulatory power in that regard. Cefas can instead advise that certain assessments are undertaken or that certain licensing decisions are made, but decision-makers are not obliged to adhere to Cefas recommendations. Cefas does not collect data on how often certain assessments are recommended, however there are likely no examples of a bioassay or other ecotoxicological assessment being recommended in the past five years. Whilst such assessments can be recommended in line with the OSPAR guidelines, there may be significant costs associated for disposal applicants and there are currently no such assessments which have been validated by the MMO. Necessary assessments are still undertaken to determine if material is suitable for disposal at sea. The MMO assess applications on a case by case basis, and will request specific information from applicants where relevant and necessary to making a decision. Cefas is exploring the use of potentially more cost-effective assessments such as Microtox.

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 11 March (HL5255), what assessment they have made of the disposal of waste into Beachy Head East and Beachy Head West marine conservation zones.

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

There are two registered disposal sites within the Beachy Head Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs). All material is assessed and classified as safe for marine disposal under OSPAR and London Convention and Protocol standards, with regular sediment testing required.

For all licences to dispose of dredged material within the Beachy Head MCZs, the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) consult with technical advisors Cefas. The MMO request samples to be collected at the dredge site, and establish the contaminants to test for. This testing has shown the risk to the marine environment from contaminants in the dredged material is low. The applicant must undertake robust monitoring, including further sampling and monthly disposal reporting to the MMO, throughout the duration of a licence. This ensures that the material meets the standards and remains suitable for continued sea disposal at the relevant disposal site. MCZ assessments for both disposal sites concluded that the risk to MCZ conservation objectives from disposal is likely to be low. This robust framework ensures that disposal activity does not compromise the conservation objectives of the MCZ.

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 20 March (HL5461), how many marine disposal sites there are, and how many are monitored each year.

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

There are 727 marine disposal sites in total. Of these, 251 are open, 432 are closed, and 44 are disused.

Before a disposal site is designated, an applicant must submit a disposal site characterisation report to the Marine Management Organisation (MMO), or evidence to satisfy the MMO that the area is suitable for disposal. In addition, all sediment being disposed of to sea is regularly sampled and analysed, with continued disposal requiring sign off from the MMO. Monthly disposal volumes are reported to the MMO in line with OSPAR requirements.

The MMO, in conjunction with the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), also undertakes an annual Disposal Site Monitoring programme. The programme sets out how sites are monitored based on location, activity level, public interest, age of current monitoring data for the area, and frequency of site usage.

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 11 March (HL5254), how they will maximise or monitor the success of 'blue economy' policies without baseline data.

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

Defra invests in data collection, analysis and research every year to improve our understanding of the marine environment, provide evidence for policy decision making and improve our understanding of policy and economic performance over time. For example, over the last three years the £38 million marine Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment programme collected evidence on the location, extent and condition of our marine and coastal natural capital assets in England. Alongside this, Defra evaluates the impact and value for money of programmes and policies in line with central Government guidance on conducting effective evaluations and evaluation results are published on the Government Evaluation Registry.

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 25 March (HL5539), how many people will be employed at ports in Great Britain to facilitate non-commercial pet movements under the Northern Ireland pet travel scheme, and what estimate they have made of the cost.

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

UK authorities will be available to support and assist those travelling under the Northern Ireland Pet Travel Scheme. The scheme will enable travel from Great Britain to Northern Ireland with a simple lifelong pet travel document. We expect that the vast majority of people will comply, and the Government will be providing comprehensive support to those travelling with their pets to ensure they can do so. In line with the commitments we have made under the Windsor Framework, the UK authorities will be undertaking checks to ensure that GB pet owners hold a valid pet travel document and that their pet is microchipped to mitigate against abuse of the scheme and disease risks.

In order not to undermine that approach, as is the case across the UK, we do not disclose the specific number of staff undertaking, or the nature of, interventions made by UK authorities. Facilitating these activities, including staffing, equipment and infrastructure, will cost an estimated £3.4 million over financial years 25/26 to 26/27 inclusive.

Found: BARONESS HAYMAN BARONESS PENN 274_ After Clause 136, insert the following new Clause— “Funding energy

Found: BARONESS HAYMAN BARONESS PENN 274_ After Clause 136, insert the following new Clause— “Funding energy

Found: BARONESS HAYMAN 274_ After Clause 136, insert the following new Clause— “Funding energy efficiency

Found: BARONESS HAYMAN 274_ After Clause 136, insert the following new Clause— “Funding energy efficiency

Found: BARONESS HAYMAN 274_ After Clause 136, insert the following new Clause— “Funding energy efficiency

Found: Renters’ Rights Bill 92 BARONESS HAYMAN 274_ After Clause 136, insert the following new Clause— “Funding

Found: BARONESS HAYMAN ★_ After Clause 136, insert the following new Clause— “Funding energy efficiency improvements

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

Found: Authority Lunch No £10.00 Mary Creagh Nil Return Nil Return Nil Return Nil Return Nil Return Baroness Hayman

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

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

Found: First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Welsh Government and Baroness Hayman

Found: Agreement was sought by the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Baroness Hayman of Ullock to make

Found: The above titled SI was made by, Baroness Hayman, in exercise of the powers conferred under article 144

<p>Item 4 is notifications and correspondence under the inter-institutional relations agreement—correspondence from the Welsh Government on meetings of inter-ministerial groups.&nbsp;The Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning informs us that the meeting of the Interministerial Group for Tourism that was due to take place on 7 May has been postponed. The Cabinet Secretary commits to updating us when a new date has been agreed.&nbsp;The Cabinet Secretary also informs us that a meeting of the Interministerial Group for Business and Industry will take place on 6 May. Can we note those letters? Yes.</p>
<p>Item 4.2 is correspondence from the First Minister of Wales on the Celtic heritage agreement annual report.&nbsp;The First Minister informs us that the 2023-24 annual report on the Celtic heritage Cornwall-Wales collaboration agreement has been published.&nbsp;Are Members content to note? Yes.</p>
<p>In the correspondence and written statement by the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs on the Official Controls (Extension of Transitional Periods) (Amendment) Regulations 2025, the Deputy First Minister informs us that he has given his consent to the Minister of State to lay these regulations in relation to Wales. The Deputy First Minister states that consent has been given in order to avoid a gap between easements ending and new policies coming into effect. The Deputy First Minister states that this will ensure that certain EU sanitary and phytosanitary goods are not subject to default official controls from 1 July 2025.&nbsp;Are Members content to note this? Yes.</p>
<p>Item 4.4 is&nbsp;a written statement and correspondence by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Welsh Language on the Public Procurement (Revocation) Regulations 2025.&nbsp;The Cabinet Secretary informs us that he has given his consent to the Parliamentary Secretary at the Cabinet Office to lay these regulations in relation to Wales. He states that the regulations relate to five pieces of legislation specified within the Schedule, which are being revoked either in their entirety or to the extent specified because they no longer produce any legal effect in England and Wales, and Northern Ireland. The Cabinet Secretary states that he has given his consent for reasons of</p>
<p>'efficiency and cross-government coordination, and consistency'.</p>
<p>Are Members content to note this? Yes.</p>
<p>Item 4.5 is&nbsp;correspondence with the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs on the Persistent Organic Pollutants (Amendment) Regulations 2024.&nbsp;The Deputy First Minister responds to a request from the committee for further clarification regarding the timing of his communication about his intention to consent to these regulations, and the UK Government’s delay in making them.&nbsp;The Deputy First Minister also informs us that Baroness Hayman of Ullock has sought the Welsh Ministers’ consent for a further instrument in this area—the Persistent Organic Pollutants (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2025—to be laid in relation to Wales. The Deputy First Minister confirms that he is currently receiving advice on this matter, and he will update the committee further if he provides his provisional consent to the making of these regulations in relation to Wales.&nbsp;Are Members content to note this? Yes.</p>