Asked by: Lord West of Spithead (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have any plans to add hedgehogs to Schedule 5 to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Government currently has no plans to add hedgehogs to Schedule 5 to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. While we are concerned about the conservation of hedgehogs, there is no clear evidence to indicate recovery will be supported by protection under the Act as it does not regulate the main activities linked to its decline, namely habitat loss, the use of pesticides and road traffic accidents.
Our Environmental Land Management Schemes provide funding for habitat creation and management for threatened species, including the maintenance and creation of hedgerows, an important habitat for hedgehogs. Additionally, Biodiversity Net Gain and Local Nature Recovery Strategies will drive the creation and restoration of habitats that will benefit a range of species, including hedgehogs.
Asked by: Lord West of Spithead (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether badgers are responsible for the decline in the number of hedgehogs.
Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Whilst a direct assessment has not been made, evidence indicates that badgers are not considered to be a major reason for the decline in hedgehog numbers.
The main activities linked to the decline in hedgehogs are habitat loss, the use of pesticides and road traffic accidents.
Asked by: Lord West of Spithead (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether any department monitors loss of wild plant, insect and animal life, such as butterflies, and if so, who; and what steps they have taken to ensure maintenance of biodiversity.
Answered by Lord Benyon - Lord Chamberlain (HM Household)
Defra uses a number of indicators to track changes in the abundance and distribution of species. A summary of these indicators is available in the England Biodiversity Indicators publication available at GOV.UK. The indicators include data from a number of different species monitoring schemes, which are carried out by a range of organisations including Defra and its arm’s length bodies, research institutes, non-governmental organisations and private individuals (often as part of citizen science initiatives)
In England we have set four legally binding targets for biodiversity:
- By 2030: to half the decline in species abundance
- By 2042: to reverse declines; to reduce the risk of species extinction; and restore or create more than 500,000 hectares of wildlife-rich habitat.
These targets will drive actions to support biodiversity in Hertfordshire and every other county across England. We have set out our plan to deliver on these ambitious targets, along with our other environmental targets, in the Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP23) published on 31 January 2023. The EIP23 revises the 25-Year Environment Plan as part of our obligations under the Environment Act. Included, we link the different objectives, plans and mechanisms for recovering nature.
Progress towards the species abundance targets will be measured using an indicator that tracks changes in the relative abundance of widespread and priority species that are characteristic of different broad habitats in England. The indicator will include abundance data for 1,195 species, including mammals, birds, fish, plants, butterflies, moths, and other invertebrates.
Asked by: Lord West of Spithead (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to banning super trawlers such as the FV Margiris from fishing in UK waters.
Answered by Lord Benyon - Lord Chamberlain (HM Household)
We are considering our policies for large pelagic trawlers, commonly known as supertrawlers, working to develop more robust management of the non-quota species which these vessels are targeting alongside quota stocks. Any action needs to be evidence-based and in line with the UK/EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement.
The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) continues to monitor fishing activity in English waters – with dedicated enforcement and surveillance work to protect fisheries, including offshore patrol vessels for at-sea surveillance.
Asked by: Lord West of Spithead (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Benyon on 1 July (HL1216), what is the breakdown by type and ownership of the "15 vessels from the Royal Navy Overseas Patrol Squadron and Inshore Fisheries Conservation Authorities".
Answered by Lord Benyon - Lord Chamberlain (HM Household)
The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) can call upon the Royal Navy Overseas Patrol Squadron who have three batch 1 Patrol Vessels (HMS Tyne, HMS Severn and HMS Mersey) available for fishery protection duties. In addition, patrol vessels under the Inshore Fisheries Conservation Authorities (IFCAs) provide coverage around England’s coast. The IFCAs operate a range of craft which the MMO can call upon to assist with fulfilling its at-sea duties of: boarding vessels and inspections, intelligence gathering and the issuing of directions to vessels. The vessels range from small Rigid Inflatable type boats suitable for estuarine and close inshore through to more substantial craft more able to work ‘near’ offshore waters. The table details the IFCA vessels currently able to be called upon.
IFCA | Vessel Name | Location | Type of Vessel |
North Western | North West Protector | Whitehaven | FPV |
North Western | Protector Charlies | Whitehaven | RIB |
North Western | Protector Bravo | Whitehaven | RIB |
North Western | Bay Protector | Liverpool | RIB |
North Western | Protector Gamma | Barrow | RIB |
North Western | Zodiac Bravo | Carnforth | RIB |
Northumberland | St Aidan | North Shields | FPV |
Northumberland | Robert Arckless MBE | Amble | RIB |
North Eastern | NE Guardian III | Whitby | FPV |
North Eastern | Bravo 1 | Whitby | RIB |
North Eastern | Protector III | Whitby | RIB |
Eastern | Sebastian Terelinck | Sutton Bridge | FPV |
Eastern | Three Counties | Sutton Bridge | Survey Vessel |
Eastern | John Allen | Wisbech | FPV |
Eastern | Sea Spray | Levington | RIB |
Kent and Essex | Nerrisa | Ramsgate | FPV |
Kent and Essex | Tamesis | Brightlingsea | FPV |
Kent and Essex | FPV Vigilant | Brightlingsea | RIB |
Sussex | Watchful | Shoreham | FPV |
Sussex | Merlin | Shoreham | RIB |
Southern | Stella Barbera | Southampton | RIB |
Southern | Protector | Portland | RIB |
Southern | Endeavour | Poole | RIB |
Devon and Severn | David Rowe | Brixham | RIB |
Devon and Severn | Enforcer | Brixham | RIB |
Cornwall | St Piran | Newlyn | FPV |
Cornwall | Lyonesse | Newlyn | RIB |
Cornwall | Avalon | Newlyn | RIB |
Cornwall | Tiger Lily | Newlyn | Survey Vessel |
Isles of Scilly | Vigilant | St Mary’s Bay | RIB |
Asked by: Lord West of Spithead (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many ships are used by (1) the Marine Management Organisation, and (2) Marine Scotland, to enforce fishery rules in United Kingdom waters, broken down by type of vessel.
Answered by Lord Benyon - Lord Chamberlain (HM Household)
Fisheries protection is a devolved matter. Nonetheless, Defra, the Scottish Government, Welsh Government and Northern Ireland Executive continue to work together to share information and ensure a coordinated approach to monitoring, compliance and enforcement across UK waters. In England, the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has significantly increased its maritime surveillance assets dedicated to fisheries protection. This includes two offshore MMO patrol vessels for at-sea surveillance, supplemented by up to 15 vessels from the Royal Navy Overseas Patrol Squadron and Inshore Fisheries Conservation Authorities.
Asked by: Lord West of Spithead (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the reasons for the decline in fish populations, in particular eels, in UK rivers.
Answered by Lord Gardiner of Kimble
Freshwater fisheries and aquaculture policy are devolved in the UK.
In England, the status of fish populations, and reasons for any declines, are assessed through an extensive monitoring programme covering a wide range of species, undertaken by the Environment Agency.
The reasons for the eel's decline are complex and not fully understood but human impacts and oceanic factors are assumed to have major impacts on the stock. These factors will likely affect local production differently throughout the eel's continental range. Human factors may include fisheries (legal and illegal), habitat loss and blockage to migratory pathways, mortalities at hydropower turbines and water pumps, contaminants, non-natives and various climate change factors.
The state of the European eel stock across the UK and the level of man-made impacts are assessed every three years, with a UK report prepared and reported to the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) for international assessment of this stock. The next report for 2018-2020 is expected later this year.
Asked by: Lord West of Spithead (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to compensate people who (1) harvest, and (2) sell, oysters whose businesses have been affected by the EU restrictions on importing UK shellfish.
Answered by Lord Gardiner of Kimble
There is no scientific or technical justification for the European Commission banning the import of Live Bivalve Molluscs (LBMs), including oysters, from class B waters. We are seeking urgent resolution on the European Commission’s decision.
In England funding is available through the Maritime and Fisheries Fund for applications from seafood businesses looking to adapt their businesses to new requirements. This includes oyster harvesters and sellers looking to adapt their business models. In England, this funding is delivered by the Marine Management Organisation. Seafood businesses in the rest of the UK should contact their fisheries administrations to see what development support may be available to them.
The Seafood Response Scheme is not specifically focused at mitigating the issues resulting from EU restrictions on LBM trade. Oyster farming/harvesting businesses that meet the eligibility criteria will, however, be eligible to apply.
Asked by: Lord West of Spithead (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to encourage consumption of British shellfish in (1) hospitals, (2) schools, and (3) other public institutions.
Answered by Lord Gardiner of Kimble
The Government will always champion greater consumption of our excellent British food and drink, including seafood, within public sector settings. The Government's public sector food procurement mandatory and best practice guidance, including the Balanced Scorecard and Government Buying Standards for Food (GBSF), encourages the procurement of UK seasonal and locally produced food.
Defra will be consulting on a refreshed version of the GBSF this summer. We will be seeking views on how the standards could be used to promote even greater uptake of locally produced food by public procurers and their suppliers.
Defra is also working closely with the Crown Commercial Service to develop the Future Food Framework which will create significant new opportunities for small businesses to contribute to regional public sector bodies. The trial will include a focus on local fisheries as one of the key food categories. The pilot is due to launch in the South West in 2022 with a national rollout planned for 2023.
Defra is also partnering with Seafish (the public body that supports the UK seafood industry) to encourage greater domestic consumption of seafood, to support and enhance our domestic fishing industry. The Love Seafood campaign will run throughout this spring and will promote the wide range of fish and shellfish caught in UK waters.
Asked by: Lord West of Spithead (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the size of the UK Fishery Protection Squadron fleet that will be needed in the event that a trade agreement is not reached with the EU by 31 December.
Answered by Lord Gardiner of Kimble
Defra and the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) are prepared to respond to the challenges of controlling fisheries in English waters at the end of the transition period. The MMO is ready to deploy its assets, personnel and enforcement plan. As this is a devolved policy area, Defra and the MMO are working closely with the Devolved Administrations to ensure there is a consistent and robust UK-wide approach.
In England, the MMO has assessed, and continues to assess, the number of maritime surveillance assets dedicated to fisheries protection in preparation for the end of the transition period. Current provision includes two MMO offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) and two OPVs from the Royal Navy Overseas Patrol Squadron, with a further two Royal Navy OPVs available for surge capacity if required. This strong presence will deter against fisheries infringements, while also enabling our agencies to take robust action where they may occur. The MMO is extensively testing its end of transition period operational approach based on a range of potential scenarios, working closely with the Ministry of Defence, Department for Transport and Home Office as well as the Devolved Administrations, to ensure a comprehensive approach to maritime security.