Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the average time taken was for employees of companies providing services to the armed forces to go through the security vetting process required for work on military sites in the last 12 months.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

UK Security Vetting (UKSV) sits within Cabinet Office and is the provider for all security vetting for Ministry of Defence. There is no way to identify from their data which security vetting cases relate to employees of companies specifically providing services to the Armed Forces, nor whether the clearance requirement is specifically for work on military sites.

UKSV performance data shows performance across all Defence industry is exceeding the set KPIs at all Clearance levels: They are currently completing cases at a rate of 99 % for CTC and 98% for SC within 25 days, whilst 97% of DVI and 98% of DVR are being completed within 95 days.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what is the minimum notice period his Department must give to end agreements under the current terms of the Sustainable Farming Initiative.

Answered by Daniel Zeichner - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Termination of agreements is covered by condition 15 of the Sustainable Farming Incentive 2024 terms and conditions. In some specific circumstances, agreements can be terminated by the department with immediate effect, for example if a change of circumstances means an agreement holder is no longer eligible, or if there has been a breach of the agreement. Beyond these specific circumstances, we may terminate an agreement at any time on giving at least six months’ written notice to the agreement holder.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the economic impact of avian influenza on poultry producers in North Yorkshire since 2022.

Answered by Daniel Zeichner - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

This Government is committed to working closely with industry to anticipate the potential social and economic risk from avian influenza, so that response strategies are as effective as possible. The joint Government and industry avian influenza taskforce has committed to publishing a full report on vaccination strategies in the UK this summer; this will include economic assessments from previous outbreaks, including the 2022 outbreak. The cross-government and industry avian influenza vaccination taskforce published an interim statement on 7 March 2025.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will provide targeted funding for poultry farmers in North Yorkshire to improve on-farm biosecurity infrastructure in the context of avian influenza.

Answered by Daniel Zeichner - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

In September 2024 laying hen and pullet keepers could apply for funding to undertake large infrastructure projects to deliver excellent levels of health and welfare through the Laying Hen Housing for Health and Welfare Grant, this included funding for features such as fixed bio-secure housing and mechanical ventilation. The grant also funds constructing verandas, which can provide access to fresh air and natural light when an A.I. housing order is in force.

On 29 May keepers of layer hens and broilers will be able to apply for grants of between £1,000 and £25,000 through the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund, toward the cost of a list of items that address a range of health and welfare issues including biosecurity risks.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with North Yorkshire Council on (a) coordination of local containment zones and (b) compensation access for affected poultry businesses.

Answered by Daniel Zeichner - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Local authorities are responsible for the enforcement of avian influenza controls including Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) measures. The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) works in conjunction with the Association of Chief Trading Standards Officers (ACTSO) which includes representatives from North Yorkshire Council and the Local Authority Animal Health and Welfare National Panel to disseminate information and guidance as required. Communication material is also shared with local authorities that provides up to date information and is available for use in the local community to raise awareness.

North Yorkshire has seen 10 cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza confirmed in poultry during this outbreak season (2 in the Wetherby and Easingwold constituency and 8 in the Thirsk and Malton constituency) and we recognise bird keepers and local authorities are on the front line of this terrible disease. We extend our thanks to North Yorkshire Council and other local authorities for the work they do to support bird keepers and improve compliance with mandatory requirements.

Defra’s avian influenza disease control measures aim to minimise the economic burden of the outbreak on the food and farming sectors, bird keepers and the wider economy. Defra works closely with both the poultry industry and wider bird keeping stakeholders and the impacts of the avian influenza outbreak are being monitored closely.

When avian influenza is confirmed at a premises, in order to limit the risk of the disease spreading, all birds on the premises are humanely culled. Keepers will be paid compensation for clinically healthy birds culled by HM Government for disease control purposes as set out in the Animal Health Act 1981. Compensation is not paid for consequential losses, including business interruption caused by control measures, nor for eggs or poultry meat.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to support (a) restocking and (b) business continuity for poultry farmers in North Yorkshire impacted by bird flu restrictions.

Answered by Daniel Zeichner - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Local authorities are responsible for the enforcement of avian influenza controls including Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) measures. The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) works in conjunction with the Association of Chief Trading Standards Officers (ACTSO) which includes representatives from North Yorkshire Council and the Local Authority Animal Health and Welfare National Panel to disseminate information and guidance as required. Communication material is also shared with local authorities that provides up to date information and is available for use in the local community to raise awareness.

North Yorkshire has seen 10 cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza confirmed in poultry during this outbreak season (2 in the Wetherby and Easingwold constituency and 8 in the Thirsk and Malton constituency) and we recognise bird keepers and local authorities are on the front line of this terrible disease. We extend our thanks to North Yorkshire Council and other local authorities for the work they do to support bird keepers and improve compliance with mandatory requirements.

Defra’s avian influenza disease control measures aim to minimise the economic burden of the outbreak on the food and farming sectors, bird keepers and the wider economy. Defra works closely with both the poultry industry and wider bird keeping stakeholders and the impacts of the avian influenza outbreak are being monitored closely.

When avian influenza is confirmed at a premises, in order to limit the risk of the disease spreading, all birds on the premises are humanely culled. Keepers will be paid compensation for clinically healthy birds culled by HM Government for disease control purposes as set out in the Animal Health Act 1981. Compensation is not paid for consequential losses, including business interruption caused by control measures, nor for eggs or poultry meat.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if the reformed Sustainable Farming Initiative offer will limit the proportion of land holding eligible for submission.

Answered by Daniel Zeichner - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The future Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) offer will build on what has made SFI effective so far. Defra is working closely with farmers and industry stakeholders to design a future SFI offer that fairly and responsibly directs funding. Further details about the reformed SFI offer will be announced following the spending review in summer 2025.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will include goat farmers in the eligibility criteria for the Animal Health and Welfare grant in the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund 2025.

Answered by Daniel Zeichner - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Guidance for grants under the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund 2025 was published on 7 May ahead of opening to applications on 29 May. These grants are available to keepers of pigs, dairy cows, beef cattle, laying chickens, broilers and sheep.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with international investors on the potential impact of extended producer responsibility on the attractiveness of the UK as an investment destination.

Answered by Mary Creagh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

As part of the Government’s broader Collection and Packaging Reforms Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging will provide regulatory certainty necessary to support investment in recycling and reprocessing infrastructure across the UK and support the transition to a circular economy. Defra and senior officials from the Dutch Government have met with representatives of the UK and Dutch finance sectors to set out a path toward closer cooperation in financing a circular economy. Both sets of officials, with support from the Dutch Banking Association, invited attendees to form a Circular Economy Finance Coalition. The Coalition will identify ways to boost investment in the transition to a circular economy, including developing the necessary infrastructure and innovative business models.

Investment is at the heart of the government’s growth mission, increasing the number of good, well-skilled jobs and improving productivity across the country. The UK has a strong track record attracting private investment – a testament to our strong economic foundations, including world-leading innovation, the rule of law, our ambitious transition to clean energy, and a supportive regulatory framework.

The UK remains a globally competitive destination with the lowest top-line corporation tax rate in the G7 at 25%; the joint most generous capital allowances regime for plant and machinery in the OECD; and R&D tax incentives up to 27% for SMEs and the joint highest uncapped rate in the G7 for large companies.

Mauritius Treaty