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

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that imported food products meet the same animal welfare standards as those which are domestically produced.

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

All agri-food products must comply with our import requirements in order to be placed on the UK market. This includes ensuring that imported meat products have been slaughtered to animal welfare standards equivalent to our domestic standards.

The Government shares the public’s high regard for the high welfare standards we have in this country. As set out in the UK’s Trade Strategy, we will not lower food standards and will uphold high animal welfare standards.

The Government recognises concerns about methods of production which are not permitted in the UK. While production methods vary in line with different climates, diseases and other contextual reasons, the Government will always consider whether overseas produce has an unfair advantage and any impact that may have. Where necessary, we will be prepared to use the full range of powers at our disposal to protect our most sensitive sectors.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they held with domestic animal producers before the animal welfare strategy for England was published.

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

The Animal Welfare Strategy was developed in conjunction with key stakeholders including representatives of the companion, wild companion, wild animal and farming sectors along with Non-Governmental Organisations, and those involved in enforcement. Defra held roundtable discussions on priorities whilst working to understand the underlying issues that lead to poor welfare. Defra also received input from a wide range of other interested parties.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government whether imports of lamb from New Zealand and other countries meet animal welfare standards required of domestic producers.

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

I refer the Noble Baroness to the reply given on 25 February 2026 to Question UIN HL14606.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they plan to take to improve pedestrian safety on pavements and zebra crossings, and to ensure that cyclists and riders of e-bikes and e-scooters respect traffic rules.

Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

The Government recognises that it is essential that everyone using our roads is kept safe, including pedestrians. On 7 January 2026 we published our new Road Safety Strategy, setting out our vision for a safer future on our roads for all.

Local authorities are responsible for managing their roads, and have statutory duties placed on them to ensure safe movement for all road users, including pedestrians. The Department for Transport provides good practice guidance to support them in this on the design of the street environment and on the provision of zebra crossings. The Department has long advocated street design that puts consideration of the needs of people walking first, through the Manual for Streets.

Cycling on pavements, including the use of e-cycles, is already an offence and is enforceable by the police. E‑scooters are not legal for use on pavements or roads except as part of Government‑approved rental trials, where operators must promote responsible use.