Asked by: Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb (Green Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government, in the light of Collapse of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC) would lead to substantial oceanic carbon release and additional global warming, published on 27 March, whether they plan to update their models of the climate change impacts on the AMOC.
Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Government recognises the importance of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) as a key component within the Earth’s climate system and its relevance to the UK's long-term climate risks. We are aware of recent scientific evidence indicating an increased likelihood of major weakening or potential loss of function of the AMOC this century, which would have significant climatic impacts, including effects on regional weather patterns and the global carbon cycle.
Through the Met Office and the Hadley Centre Climate Programme, the UK undertakes world-leading research into ocean circulation, climate tipping points, and Earth system feedbacks, including the AMOC. In light of evolving scientific evidence, HMG is actively updating and expanding UK climate projections through the new, Defra funded, UK Climate Information Programme (UKCI), led by Met Office. Meanwhile, work is continuing to improve representation of key processes relevant to AMOC behaviour, including ocean–carbon cycle interactions, freshwater inputs from ice melt, and ocean mixing. UKCI is due to enter its inception phase later in 2026, and will provide world leading information on climate change, including the AMOC.
Asked by: Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb (Green Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the reasons why the Consumer Council for Water's (CCW's) annual report and accounts for 2023–24 and 2024–25 have not yet been published; and whether any issues regarding CCW's governance, internal control, regularity, propriety, remuneration, expenses or audit have been raised by the National Audit Office, the council's board or officials in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The delay on CCW’s annual report and accounts for 2023-24 and 2024-25 is due to an issue requiring clarification regarding charging. CCW are cooperating with the National Audit Office and are working closely to ensure a sign-off on the accounts is completed as soon as possible. CCW has stated they have not gone over budget. Defra regularly carries out performance reviews with CCW, as required by the CCW Framework Document, to ensure CCW is delivering on its objectives and providing value for money, including on complaints handling. Putting customers first is a key pillar of the Government's White Paper and Defra will continue working with CCW to deliver strengthened consumer advocacy.
Asked by: Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb (Green Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government when they expect to publish proposals for Stage 4 fisheries management measures for marine protected areas.
Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Stage 4 Marine Protected Areas are sites designated to protect highly mobile species such as seabirds and harbour porpoise. The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has been talking to stakeholders about options for managing the impacts of fishing on these sites. The MMO is now analysing all the feedback it has received, including through an earlier call for evidence, and will decide on what management measures it thinks is needed to protect these species.
Asked by: Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb (Green Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will review the potential for the industrial hemp sector to create skilled jobs and support rural employment across the UK.
Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Government recognises the industrial hemp sector has huge potential across the UK to unlock new revenue streams beyond its value as an agricultural commodity such as textiles, sustainable building materials, biofuels and manufactured items.
The Defra-funded Centre for High Carbon Capture Cropping (CHCCC) project, run by the National Institute of Agricultural Botany, will continue to bring together businesses, growers, experts and other stakeholders across a range of high carbon capture cropping options, including hemp. The project will evaluate economic returns and validate anticipated climate change mitigation and emissions outcomes by discussion, rigorous testing and life cycle analysis.
Industry input will continue to be key to policy development, ensuring government policies are practical and deliver improvements that support growth in the sector.
Asked by: Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb (Green Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to reduce reliance on high-density or industrialised farming systems in order to improve animal welfare standards.
Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
There are a number of different farming systems in use in England and farms of all sizes have a role to play in promoting sustainable agriculture. All farms, regardless of size and type of production system, must comply with comprehensive legislation aimed at protecting animal health and welfare.
The Government remains firmly committed to improving animal welfare and wants to work closely with the farming sector to deliver high standards. Ministers recently met with several representatives of various farming sectors to discuss the Animal Welfare Strategy. This outlines the Government’s plans to improve farm animal welfare including through transitioning away from intensive confinement systems such as cages or crates.
Asked by: Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb (Green Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government how they will work with industry to address welfare concerns associated with large-scale intensive farming operations.
Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
There are a number of different farming systems in use in England and farms of all sizes have a role to play in promoting sustainable agriculture. All farms, regardless of size and type of production system, must comply with comprehensive legislation aimed at protecting animal health and welfare.
The Government remains firmly committed to improving animal welfare and wants to work closely with the farming sector to deliver high standards. Ministers recently met with several representatives of various farming sectors to discuss the Animal Welfare Strategy. This outlines the Government’s plans to improve farm animal welfare including through transitioning away from intensive confinement systems such as cages or crates.
Asked by: Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb (Green Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of intensive livestock production systems on animal welfare outcomes in England.
Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
There are a number of different farming systems in use in England and farms of all sizes have a role to play in promoting sustainable agriculture. All farms, regardless of size and type of production system, must comply with comprehensive legislation aimed at protecting animal health and welfare.
The Government remains firmly committed to improving animal welfare and wants to work closely with the farming sector to deliver high standards. Ministers recently met with several representatives of various farming sectors to discuss the Animal Welfare Strategy. This outlines the Government’s plans to improve farm animal welfare including through transitioning away from intensive confinement systems such as cages or crates.
Asked by: Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb (Green Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to support the development and adoption of new technologies in agriculture to improve animal welfare outcomes.
Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Defra announced new opportunities for farmers to apply for the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund at the NFU Conference on 24 February, with £50 million of funding allocated for 2026. Applications opened on 17 March; farmers can apply for grants of between £1,000 and £25,000 towards the cost of a list of equipment items that deliver improvements in the health and welfare of their animals. The list includes items specifically intended to increase adoption of new technology for health and welfare outcomes including automated welfare monitoring systems using remote devices, lameness and body condition scoring systems, and environmental monitoring and control systems for livestock housing.
The Government also supports the development of new technologies to improve animal welfare outcomes through its research programmes, including through funding directly from Defra and through UK Research and Innovation. Across species, some examples of funded projects include development of new methods for emergency killing of pigs; developing autonomous, non-invasive technologies to support welfare monitoring in aquaculture; and support to develop AI-driven tools to assess animal emotional wellbeing. The Farming Innovation Programme also supports research and development of agri-technology and innovative solutions for farmers and growers with multiple projects aiming to support animal welfare outcomes.
Asked by: Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb (Green Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government how decisions by appropriate authorities to rely on an equivalent assessment under the Marine Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2007, as amended by the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Bill, will be recorded, published and made available for public scrutiny.
Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The decision to defer under the Marine Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2007 to an equivalent assessment is communicated to the applicant and the other assessment body. The decision to defer is also recorded and published on the Marine Management Organisation’s public register, enabling public scrutiny.
The BBNJ Agreement provides that public consultation is a requirement of the BBNJ EIA process so any equivalent assessment that is relied upon must also have undertaken necessary public consultation.
All licensing decisions are also placed on the Marine Management Organisation’s public register.
Asked by: Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb (Green Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether environmental assessments undertaken by regional fisheries management organisations are regarded as meeting the requirements under Part 4 of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Bill; and if so, how deficiencies in cumulative impact assessment and public participation will be addressed.
Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Part 4 of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Bill introduces changes to the marine licensing regime to meet some of the UK’s obligations to the BBNJ Agreement. Fisheries issues are not typically considered within the remit of the marine licensing regime.
Part 4 of the BBNJ Agreement provides that an environmental impact assessment may not be required under the Agreement where the impacts of an activity have been assessed in accordance with the requirements of another relevant body. Such bodies may include, for example, Regional Fisheries Management Organisations. This includes where the regulations or standards arising from the assessment have been designed to prevent, mitigate or manage potential impacts below the threshold for an environmental impact assessment under the Agreement, and those have been complied with.