Asked by: Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the EU on pet passports in the context of Brexit; and, following those discussions, what advice they will provide to pet owners who regularly travel between the UK and the EU with their pets.
Answered by Lord Gardiner of Kimble
Whilst we remain a member of the EU, we continue to be signed up to the requirements of the Pet Travel Scheme. At present, the Government is negotiating our departure from the EU and Defra is working with the Department for Exiting the European Union to look at future arrangements, including those for the Pet Travel Scheme.
The rules governing pet travel will continue to apply throughout any implementation period. In the meantime, the Government remains committed to keeping pet owners informed of any changes that could affect travelling between the UK and EU with their pets, and will do so in a prompt and timely manner.
Asked by: Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what are the most recent figures for the UK's food self sufficiency; and what assessment they have made of whether increases in overall food production are an export opportunity or an opportunity for the UK to become more self-sufficient.
Answered by Lord Gardiner of Kimble
The UK's current production to supply ratio is 76% for indigenous-type foods and 60% for all foods. This has been stable for two decades and is not low in the context of the last 150 years; in the inter-war period, the rate was as low as 30-40%.
Self-sufficiency is not in itself an indicator of food security. The UK has historically been a net importer of food and it sources from a diverse range of stable countries. This approach will continue once we leave the EU. Achieving increased self-sufficiency in indigenous products would not insulate us from certain types of shocks. For example, severe weather and disease can have an impact on harvests and yields.
We have recently launched a new consultation, ‘Health and Harmony: The Future for Food, Farming and the Environment in a Green Brexit’ which sets out the proposed policy framework for agriculture after the UK leaves the EU. The Government is committed to boosting the productivity of UK agriculture through a strong focus on science, research and innovation, and by developing targeted transitional policies that reflect our farmers’ needs and allow them to grow more, sell more and export more of our fantastic British food.
Asked by: Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports that environmental defenders, including park rangers, are being killed in record numbers globally.
Answered by Lord Gardiner of Kimble
The UK government is committed to supporting those working hard to tackle the illegal wildlife trade. Tragically, over 100 rangers have died in the line of duty in the last 12 months, many at the hands of poachers. Through the Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund, Defra has funded three projects supporting park rangers and other environmental defenders. In addition Defra has funded the British Military to provide tracker training for African park rangers, helping to ensure their safety when detecting and disrupting the illegal wildlife trade.