Bycatch Risk Prioritisation Framework

Debate between Lord Foulkes of Cumnock and Baroness Hayman of Ullock

Tuesday 21st July 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab)]

Perhaps I should declare my interest, as I have fishing rights in England for salmon and brown trout.

A lot of these issues are tied up with the negotiations that we are doing with the EU around fishing rights and what access the EU will have, so it is difficult for me to comment on that in any detail. On the salmon bycatch, this is an important question. We have some real issues with numbers of salmon, as the noble Lord knows. Defra has been exploring the different options to improve the data collection for salmon bycatch. That includes monitoring, using REM on vessels, so that we can have a clear picture, get more data and look at how best to target the problems that this is causing to salmon stocks.

[Lord Foulkes of Cumnock (Lab Co-op)]

My Lords, will my noble friend confirm that some of the best fishing is around the Falkland Islands? Will she also confirm that, as far as this Government are concerned, the Falklands are, always have been and will remain for ever British?

[Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab)]

I think the answer to that is yes.

Animals (Low-Welfare Activities Abroad) Act 2023

Debate between Lord Foulkes of Cumnock and Baroness Hayman of Ullock

Monday 1st September 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab)]

I am so sorry to disappoint the noble Baroness, but I cannot give her a date. All I can say is that it is something I am actively looking at and working on. We are shortly going to be publishing the animal welfare strategy, which I have been preparing over the last 12 months; that will be out before the end of the year. We are including this within the animal welfare strategy as something that we want to deliver.

[Lord Foulkes of Cumnock (Lab Co-op)]

My Lords, following my almost namesake, since we humans are also animals, is there any way the Government can stop Members of Parliament carrying out low-level activities abroad rather than attending Westminster or their constituency—mentioning no names?

[Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab)]

I would imagine that is probably an education piece.

Forest Risk Commodities

Debate between Lord Foulkes of Cumnock and Baroness Hayman of Ullock

Tuesday 8th July 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab)]

There are different things we can look at. Forests are a priority for the UK’s international climate finance spend—the ICF—and we are delivering ODA programmes to deliver improved forest governance, support sustainable trade and investment and mobilise finance for forest protections and restoration in developing countries. Since 2011, it is estimated that the UK ICF programmes have prevented 750,000 hectares of ecosystem loss, which is the equivalent of around 1 million football pitches. There is work taking place, but I absolutely understand why there is frustration that we have not brought in this legislation as yet.

[Lord Foulkes of Cumnock (Lab Co-op)]

My Lords, as the Minister is aware, a large percentage of the forests of the United Kingdom are in Scotland. Would the Minister consult with the Scottish Government about this and let us have their views?

[Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab)]

I reassure my noble friend that I regularly talk to my counterparts in the Scottish Government, as I do with the Welsh Government and the Northern Irish Government. Working closely with the devolved Governments is very important, and we can learn from each other.