Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.
These initiatives were driven by Baroness Helic, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.
Baroness Helic has not introduced any legislation before Parliament
Baroness Helic has not co-sponsored any Bills in the current parliamentary sitting
This is a devolved matter and the information provided therefore relates to England only, with the potential for relevant policy to extend and apply to Wales.
The Government has no immediate plans to legislate to introduce a close season for hares in England. The Action Plan for Animal Welfare in 2021 made a commitment to consider such legislation and it remains an option. An industry-led, non-statutory code of practice to protect hares in England is already in place which states that lethal control to prevent damage to crops should only be carried out in the winter months of January and February when vegetation is low and hares are easily visible. These months avoid the main breeding season and thereby reduce risks to dependent young.
The Government therefore has no current plans to formally consult with stakeholders on this issue.
The UK is committed to supporting the sovereignty, territorial integrity and multi-ethnic character of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo and Montenegro. The UK assesses that elements of the language used in the Declaration risk undermining those principles. In engagement with political leaders in the Western Balkans, the UK consistently promotes the need for constructive regional relationships and cautions against actions or statements that risk increasing tensions or stoking division.
The UK has underlined with Serbia's leadership concerns about the "All Serb Assembly" in June and the subsequent Declaration. The UK consistently emphasises at senior levels the importance of Serbia's role in building and supporting regional stability; Minister Doughty did so most recently in October meetings with Foreign Minister Djuric and the Serbian Ambassador in London. We encourage Serbia to adhere to the commitments made by all Western Balkans leaders at the 2018 London Summit on good neighbourly relations.
The UK is committed to supporting the sovereignty, territorial integrity and multi-ethnic character of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo and Montenegro. The UK assesses that elements of the language used in the Declaration risk undermining those principles. We do not speculate on future designations.
The Minister of State for Europe, North America and the Overseas Territories contacted the Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) Foreign Minister on 5 October, expressing condolences for the loss of life and damage caused by flooding and landslides. On 4 and 5 October, British search and rescue specialists (in BiH as a short-term training team) provided advice and expertise to BiH armed forces and emergency services on the ground. Our Ambassador to BiH visited the worst affected sites on 5 October, meeting UK advisers and local mayors. We are considering, with BiH authorities and international partners, how we might support further.
The UK government recognises the vital importance of EUFOR-Althea to peace and security in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The UK is committed to a broad and ambitious UK-EU security pact. While the UK does not currently participate in any EU Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) missions, it is open to exploring future opportunities for cooperation.
Instability in the Western Balkans undermines regional security and economic growth. Ministers are engaging with Western Balkan leaders to promote stability and prosperity, including in my meeting in July with the Bosnian Presidency Chair, Denis Becirovic, and the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary's engagement with regional leaders at the European Political Community and NATO Summits. The UK is also working with European and US allies to strengthen collective engagement. Across the region, Russia uses disinformation and other hybrid techniques to undermine sovereignty and democracy. Through UK programmes and policy, we are actively building resilience to counter this interference.