Angela Smith

I recently wrote to the betting industry to underline the importance that the government attaches to the existing voluntary agreements between betting and greyhound racing through which funding is provided towards areas including animal welfare.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is currently undertaking a review of the effectiveness of the Welfare of Racing Greyhounds Regulations 2010. In addition, the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Parliamentary Select Committee is undertaking an inquiry into greyhound welfare to feed into Defra’s review. My Department has submitted written evidence to EFRA and we will want to consider any recommendations put forward by them as part of Defra’s review of the 2010 Regulations.

The Department received representations from animal welfare groups about the inclusion of animal welfare in the science curriculum in response to the consultation on the new National Curriculum.

The new primary science curriculum, introduced from September 2014, focuses on the essential scientific knowledge that children need to be educated citizens. It teaches pupils about the requirements for animals to survive such as appropriate habitat, food, water and air. Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education also provides opportunities for pupils to be taught about animal welfare and teachers are free to decide what further activities they offer on this topic.

Under regulation 29 of The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 it is a requirement for local authorities in England to submit specified information relating to licensable activities in their respective areas. Such information should be submitted to the Secretary of State by 31 May for each preceding year 1 April to 31 March. Local authorities have submitted information to the Secretary of State for this year and Defra is analysing the data. We aim to publish the information later this year.

Under regulation 29 of The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 it is a requirement for local authorities in England to submit specified information relating to licensable activities in their respective areas. Such information should be submitted to the Secretary of State by 31 May for each preceding year 1 April to 31 March. Local authorities have submitted information to the Secretary of State for this year and Defra is analysing the data. We aim to publish the information later this year.

We are working in partnership with representatives of industry and the veterinary profession to establish a range of interventions to reduce the impacts of endemic disease on farm productivity and animal welfare. By working closely with industry we will ensure that actions are effective and will improve the health of livestock nationally. Our discussions are at an early stage. At present, we have no plans to introduce benchmark standards.

The Government does not assess the reach and effectiveness of its communication for each air pollution episode. However, we work closely with Public Health England and a network of health charities to ensure that key health messages reach those who are vulnerable to the effects of air pollution, during episodes of high pollution.

The Government has committed in the 2019 Clean Air Strategy to develop and deliver a personal air quality messaging system to inform the public, particularly those who are vulnerable to air pollution, about the air quality forecast and provide clearer information on air pollution episodes and health advice. This builds on the air quality forecasts and information already published on the Government’s UK-AIR website.

The Food Standards Agency has welcomed the NAO report ‘Ensuring food safety and standards’. The FSA is already taking steps to address the proposals and is committed to working closely with other parts of government to ensure that a high level of food safety standards is maintained.

When we leave the European Union, we will maintain our current standards. We will keep our existing UK legislation, and the EU Withdrawal Act will convert EU law into UK law as it applies at the moment of departure.

We are committed to maintaining our rigorous standards on animal welfare and food safety after the UK’s withdrawal from the EU - high standards and high quality are what our domestic and global customers demand, and that is what we will provide.

To date, Natural England has revoked or modified 180 consents or permissions to rotationally burn on protected sites, by developing Long Term Plans or equivalent remedies (Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) Revisions, HLS Extensions or voluntary surrender).

The Fish Health Inspectorate (FHI) is the organisation responsible for the control of serious diseases of fish and shellfish in aquaculture establishments, including salmon farms and wild populations in England and Wales.

It acts under the Aquatic Animal Health (England and Wales) Regulations 2009 to prevent the introduction and spread of serious fish and shellfish disease. The FHI undertakes its responsibilities through compliance inspections of aquaculture establishments and advice to the industry. It also imposes trade controls on imports of fish and shellfish, investigates disease problems and when a serious disease is detected, implementations of movement controls and other preventative measures.

The Government is highly supportive of a resilient and preventative approach to livestock disease which supports higher productivity in farming and enables wider benefits. The approach was endorsed in responses to our consultation paper Health and Harmony: the future for food, farming and the environment in a Green Brexit. The potential was set out, for example, in ‘Study to Model the Impact of Controlling Endemic Cattle Diseases and Conditions on National Cattle Productivity, Agricultural Performance and Greenhouse Gas Emissions’.

We are now working with industry and veterinary representatives to develop practical plans to further this approach and the Agriculture Bill is drafted to give the Secretary of State powers to make payments to protect and improve the health of livestock and to collect and share data relating to livestock health and traceability.

The Government is highly supportive of a resilient and preventative approach to livestock disease which supports higher productivity in farming and enables wider benefits. The approach was endorsed in responses to our consultation paper Health and Harmony: the future for food, farming and the environment in a Green Brexit. The potential was set out, for example, in ‘Study to Model the Impact of Controlling Endemic Cattle Diseases and Conditions on National Cattle Productivity, Agricultural Performance and Greenhouse Gas Emissions’.

We are now working with industry and veterinary representatives to develop practical plans to further this approach and the Agriculture Bill is drafted to give the Secretary of State powers to make payments to protect and improve the health of livestock and to collect and share data relating to livestock health and traceability.

During episodes of elevated air pollution (including the episodes between 4-26 April 2019), Defra works closely with Public Health England and a network of health charities to ensure that key health messages are communicated to those who are vulnerable to the effects of air pollution, in addition to communicating through our normal digital channels.

Defra’s Daily Air Quality Index (https://uk-air.defra.gov.uk/air-pollution/daqi) assists in understanding air pollution levels and suggests recommended actions and health advice. Such advice applies to anyone experiencing symptoms.

The EA continues to fulfil its statutory duties in relation to fisheries.

Freshwater fisheries regulation is a core role and unique activity that only the EA can fulfil. The EA makes resources available to deliver current regulations, including the rod and net licensing system; scheduled reviews of Net Limitation Orders; reviewing and consolidating fishery byelaws; making new byelaws where this is necessary to protect stocks; and determining fishery management permit applications.

The Environment Agency (EA), like the rest of the public sector, is playing its part in reducing the national deficit and delivering more with less. Both Defra and the EA recognise the challenges that reduced funding bring and the EA is adapting its approach accordingly.

In 2015/16, the EA launched a new approach to partnership working to help it deliver more effectively and efficiently. Its 5 Point Approach to Salmon management (published in 2016), is a good example of how it is working with like-minded organisations to deliver shared priorities.

The Import of Products, Animals, Food and Feed System has been designed, for a scenario where the UK no longer has access to the Trade Control and Expert System (TRACES), to enable notifications of imports coming into this country, so that appropriate border controls can be carried out and recorded. The notifications reveal the origin of the consignments just as TRACES does now and so can be used to trace a consignment back to its country of origin. It does not itself provide for traceability of movements afterwards, however, once in the UK, horses and other equines must be identified in accordance with UK law and recorded on the UK Central Equine Database (CED). This records the identification details of the equine, including the name and address of the owner. An exception is made for equines from other EU Member States that are only in the UK for a short stay for specific purposes such as competition, racing or breeding, on the basis that they are already fully identified in accordance with EU law. This will include a record having been made in the CED of their Member State of origin.

No new animal health checks at the point of entry will be introduced as a result of the UK leaving the EU. Equines entering the UK from the EU will be required to pre-notify APHA (or DAERA in Northern Ireland) if they are travelling using a UK Health Certificate or from France using a commercial document (UK DOCOM). The UK Health Certificate is a replacement for the existing Intra Trade Animal Health Certificate used for EU trade. The UK DOCOM is a replacement for this existing DOCOM used for the movement of high health status horses from France to the UK.

Equines entering the UK directly from the EU will not be required to do so via a border inspection post. Risk based checks will continue to be undertaken at the point of destination on these equines. Equines entering the UK from third countries will follow the same processes as they do now, with checks undertaken at an approved UK BIP.

The Animal and Plant Health Agency does not hold the information requested because fraudulent or non-compliant movements are not recordable on the TRACES system. It also does not record, in most cases, the ports of departure or entry for equines moving to or from the EU. The information requested is best covered by the local authority and the Intelligence and Regulation Hub.

However, horses with fraudulent or non-existent documentation that are illegally moved would be covered by equine identification legislation in England. The local authorities have a statutory duty to enforce the regulations. Also, there is statutory duty on local authorities to deliver an annual prosecutions return under the Animal Health Act 1981. This information is collated and presented to Parliament at the end of March by APHA and subsequently published (on GOV.UK). This return provides details of expenditure incurred and prosecutions taken under the Act and incidences of disease in imported animals, which details successful prosecutions undertaken by local authorities in England.

If we leave the EU without a deal, horse movements into the UK from countries outside the EU will have to be notified before arrival in the UK using the Import of Products, Animals, Food and Feed System (IPAFFS). Those horses will need to enter the UK via an appropriate Border Inspection Post in the UK for checks.

Notifications before arrival will also be required for horses coming into the UK from the EU, with the exception of horses travelling from the Republic of Ireland which will be exempt.

For an initial period, these notifications for horses travelling from the EU will not be raised through IPAFFS. The importer should download and complete a notification form from www.gov.uk/government/publications/eu-import-of-animals-and-products-food-feed-notify-authorities

This form should then be sent to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) for all imports coming into England, Wales and Scotland, or to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) for movements into Northern Ireland.

Those authorities will issue a unique notification number, which is required to complete the health certificate that must accompany consignments. Health certificates are available here: www.gov.uk/government/collections/eu-import-health-certificates

APHA and DAERA will, after the arrival of the horses in the UK, carry out risk-based checks at the final point of destination as they do now.

From autumn 2019, notifications will be made using IPAFFS.

Detailed guidance for importers is available at www.gov.uk/guidance/importing-animals-animal-products-and-high-risk-food-and-feed-not-of-animal-origin-after-eu-exit

This is a devolved matter and the below relates to England only.

In February 2018, 213 Voluntary Commitments (VCs) were sent out to landowners. 157 VCs were returned signed, 19 returned refused to sign, and 37 are outstanding. By signing a VC, the landowner or manager is agreeing to suspend rotational burning on blanket bog habitat, as opposed to deep peat soils, and to work with Natural England (NE) to develop Long Term Management Plans or equivalent remedies to modify or revoke any consent concerning rotational burning. The VC is the first step towards the cessation of rotational burning on blanket bog.

To date, NE has revoked or modified 124 consents or permissions by developing Long Term Plans or equivalent remedies such as Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) Revisions, HLS Extensions or voluntary surrender. In total, NE are working to modify or revoke 402 consents or permissions to rotationally burn on blanket bog habitat designated as Special Areas of Conservation (SAC).

NE have issued 6 consents for restoration burning on the following blanket bog Special Areas of Conservation: 2 in the South Pennines SAC and 4 in the North Pennines SAC.

This is a devolved matter and the below relates to England only.

In February 2018, 213 Voluntary Commitments (VCs) were sent out to landowners. 157 VCs were returned signed, 19 returned refused to sign, and 37 are outstanding. By signing a VC, the landowner or manager is agreeing to suspend rotational burning on blanket bog habitat, as opposed to deep peat soils, and to work with Natural England (NE) to develop Long Term Management Plans or equivalent remedies to modify or revoke any consent concerning rotational burning. The VC is the first step towards the cessation of rotational burning on blanket bog.

To date, NE has revoked or modified 124 consents or permissions by developing Long Term Plans or equivalent remedies such as Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) Revisions, HLS Extensions or voluntary surrender. In total, NE are working to modify or revoke 402 consents or permissions to rotationally burn on blanket bog habitat designated as Special Areas of Conservation (SAC).

NE have issued 6 consents for restoration burning on the following blanket bog Special Areas of Conservation: 2 in the South Pennines SAC and 4 in the North Pennines SAC.

This is a devolved matter and the below relates to England only.

In February 2018, 213 Voluntary Commitments (VCs) were sent out to landowners. 157 VCs were returned signed, 19 returned refused to sign, and 37 are outstanding. By signing a VC, the landowner or manager is agreeing to suspend rotational burning on blanket bog habitat, as opposed to deep peat soils, and to work with Natural England (NE) to develop Long Term Management Plans or equivalent remedies to modify or revoke any consent concerning rotational burning. The VC is the first step towards the cessation of rotational burning on blanket bog.

To date, NE has revoked or modified 124 consents or permissions by developing Long Term Plans or equivalent remedies such as Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) Revisions, HLS Extensions or voluntary surrender. In total, NE are working to modify or revoke 402 consents or permissions to rotationally burn on blanket bog habitat designated as Special Areas of Conservation (SAC).

NE have issued 6 consents for restoration burning on the following blanket bog Special Areas of Conservation: 2 in the South Pennines SAC and 4 in the North Pennines SAC.

This is a devolved matter and the below relates to England only.

In February 2018, 213 Voluntary Commitments (VCs) were sent out to landowners. 157 VCs were returned signed, 19 returned refused to sign, and 37 are outstanding. By signing a VC, the landowner or manager is agreeing to suspend rotational burning on blanket bog habitat, as opposed to deep peat soils, and to work with Natural England (NE) to develop Long Term Management Plans or equivalent remedies to modify or revoke any consent concerning rotational burning. The VC is the first step towards the cessation of rotational burning on blanket bog.

To date, NE has revoked or modified 124 consents or permissions by developing Long Term Plans or equivalent remedies such as Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) Revisions, HLS Extensions or voluntary surrender. In total, NE are working to modify or revoke 402 consents or permissions to rotationally burn on blanket bog habitat designated as Special Areas of Conservation (SAC).

NE have issued 6 consents for restoration burning on the following blanket bog Special Areas of Conservation: 2 in the South Pennines SAC and 4 in the North Pennines SAC.

This is a devolved matter and the below relates to England only.

In February 2018, 213 Voluntary Commitments (VCs) were sent out to landowners. 157 VCs were returned signed, 19 returned refused to sign, and 37 are outstanding. By signing a VC, the landowner or manager is agreeing to suspend rotational burning on blanket bog habitat, as opposed to deep peat soils, and to work with Natural England (NE) to develop Long Term Management Plans or equivalent remedies to modify or revoke any consent concerning rotational burning. The VC is the first step towards the cessation of rotational burning on blanket bog.

To date, NE has revoked or modified 124 consents or permissions by developing Long Term Plans or equivalent remedies such as Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) Revisions, HLS Extensions or voluntary surrender. In total, NE are working to modify or revoke 402 consents or permissions to rotationally burn on blanket bog habitat designated as Special Areas of Conservation (SAC).

NE have issued 6 consents for restoration burning on the following blanket bog Special Areas of Conservation: 2 in the South Pennines SAC and 4 in the North Pennines SAC.

This is a devolved matter and the below relates to England only.

In February 2018, 213 Voluntary Commitments (VCs) were sent out to landowners. 157 VCs were returned signed, 19 returned refused to sign, and 37 are outstanding. By signing a VC, the landowner or manager is agreeing to suspend rotational burning on blanket bog habitat, as opposed to deep peat soils, and to work with Natural England (NE) to develop Long Term Management Plans or equivalent remedies to modify or revoke any consent concerning rotational burning. The VC is the first step towards the cessation of rotational burning on blanket bog.

To date, NE has revoked or modified 124 consents or permissions by developing Long Term Plans or equivalent remedies such as Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) Revisions, HLS Extensions or voluntary surrender. In total, NE are working to modify or revoke 402 consents or permissions to rotationally burn on blanket bog habitat designated as Special Areas of Conservation (SAC).

NE have issued 6 consents for restoration burning on the following blanket bog Special Areas of Conservation: 2 in the South Pennines SAC and 4 in the North Pennines SAC.

During 2018 an estimated 34 hen harriers fledged in England. Natural England fixed satellite tags to five of these birds, of which two were still transmitting at the end of January 2019. Including birds tagged in previous years, Natural England is currently tracking four birds.

The RSPB fitted tags to approximately 30 hen harriers across the UK during 2018. As of November 2018, over two thirds of these tags were transmitting.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Oxford West and Abingdon, Layla Moran, on 1 February 2019, PQ UIN 213461.

The UK has responded to the European Commission’s reasoned opinion of April 2017. A short press release on the reasoned opinion is available on the Commission website.

We do not comment on on-going infraction procedures and as such are unable to provide further detail at this time.

The Government aims to secure a deep and comprehensive free trade deal with the EU that continues to provide for frictionless, tariff-free trade, supporting the continued success of our agricultural sectors. Our departure from the EU also provides an opportunity for the UK to have an independent trade policy and a new agriculture policy which enables game producers and other sectors to improve their productivity and competitiveness outside of the EU, while also improving our environment. We remain confident in the resilience of our agricultural sectors and their ability to thrive outside of the EU.

Defra is considering the latest data, and working with industry to understand labour demand and supply, including both permanent and seasonal workforce requirements.

It is a key priority of this Government to enable an innovative, productive and competitive food supply chain, which invests in its people and skills.

We have announced that the Government will introduce a new pilot scheme for 2019 and 2020 enabling up to 2500 non-EEA migrant workers to come to the UK to undertake seasonal employment in the edible Horticultural sector.

As the UK prepares to leave the EU, Defra is working closely with the Home Office on the UK’s future immigration policy framework. Defra is also working with industry to raise awareness of the career opportunities within the agriculture and food industry to attract domestic workers, and is exploring the potential for innovation and automation in meeting future food and farming labour demands.

Each carrier is subject to an annual liaison visit and a minimum of one additional audit visit to ensure compliance with the agreed procedures set out in the RMOP. Every 2 years the RMOP is formally reviewed and re-approved. It was last reviewed in July 2017.

The UK fully harmonised with the EU Pet Travel Scheme requirements in 2012. Data regarding the number of dogs entering Great Britain under the scheme from 2012-2017 can be found below.

The UK fully harmonised with the requirements of the Balai Directive for dog movements in 2012. The data for dog imports under the Balai Directive from 2012 to 2017 can be found in the attached Annex.

This data was extracted from the Trade Control and Expert System (TRACES). In some cases imports are recorded on TRACES as ‘Canis familiaris / Felis catus’, so APHA is unable to distinguish between cat or dog imports. These are included in the table in the column ‘Mixed’.

The number of puppies seized and quarantined at Dover and Folkestone under the Puppy Pilot from 1 December 2017 to 30 June 2018 are as follows:

The Central Equine Database will include details of all equines with UK passports. Work to include those semi-wild ponies who are subsequently issued with UK passports will commence shortly.

This Government has pledged to continue to commit the same cash total in funds for farm support until the end of the Parliament, providing much needed certainty to farmers and landowners.

We will pay the 2019 Basic Payment Scheme in England on the same basis as we do now. We then plan to continue Basic Payment Scheme payments during an ‘agricultural transition’ period in England, which will last a number of years. During this ‘agricultural transition’, we propose to reduce these payments in England, starting with those receiving the highest payments and use the funds released to fund the gradual roll out of a new domestic agriculture policy during the agricultural transition period.

We have not yet taken any decisions on the method for reducing payments or how long the transition should be. We welcome views via our consultation document, ‘Health and Harmony: the future for food, farming and the environment in a Green Brexit’, which was launched on 27 February.

There are two licensed circuses:

Peter Jolly’s Circus

Camel (Camelus bactrianus) 1

Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) 4

Fox (Vulpesvulpes) 1

Racoon (Procyon lotor) 3

Zebra (Equus burchelli chapmani) 3

Zebu (Bos indicus) 1

Blue & Gold Macaw (Ara ararauna) 1

Circus Mondao

Zebra (Equus burchelli chapmani) 1

Camel (Camelus bactrianus) 2

Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) 2

Total - 7 species and 19 animals

The total number of dogs entering Great Britain under the Pet Travel Scheme in 2017 was 287,016. The list of countries that these dogs come from are listed in Annex 1.

The purpose of the Pet Travel Scheme is to manage the risk of rabies entering the UK and to ensure appropriate vaccination, at an appropriate age, therefore the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) do not systematically record numbers for all imports from individual countries.

The data for commercial dog imports found in Annex 2 was extracted from the Trade Control and Expert System (TRACES). In some cases imports are recorded on TRACES as ‘Canis familiaris / Felis catus’, so APHA is unable to distinguish between cat or dog imports. These are included in the table in the column ‘Mixed’.

Leaving the European Union provides an opportunity to improve and modernise the legislation in this area and consider how APHA can collect more detail in the future.

119 reindeer were imported into the UK in 2016; 51 were female and 68 were male.

The Animal and Plant Health Agency is unable to break down imported males into castrated and intact, because this information is not recorded on TRACES.

As announced on 30 September, draft legislation to increase the maximum penalty for animal cruelty to five years will be published for consultation around the turn of the year. We will welcome comments from animal welfare charities who have campaigned for this change.

As announced on 30 September, draft legislation to increase the maximum penalty for animal cruelty to five years’ imprisonment will be published for consultation around the turn of the year. We will welcome comments from animal welfare charities who have campaigned for this change.

The number of reindeer and the number of consignments imported into the UK in 2016 is as follows:

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) is not able to provide any data regarding the number of imports from countries outside the EEA, as data is not available.

* Exports of deer species, including reindeer and moose were banned from Norway and Sweden in October 2016 by the EU Commission as a special measure to protect deer species elsewhere in the EU. The consignment of reindeer from Sweden in the table above were imported into the UK in February 2016.

Reindeer are protected by the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006. Under the Acts it is an offence for keepers to cause unnecessary suffering to animals including reindeer, or to fail to ensure the needs of their animals are met to the extent required by good practice. Defra has a welfare Code for farmed deer which offers guidance on their health and welfare, some of which would also be applicable to reindeer.

Certain diseases affecting reindeer are notifiable. These diseases include foot and mouth disease, bluetongue and chronic wasting disease. We are aware of suspected cases of chronic wasting disease which have been disclosed in wild reindeer in Norway. Exports of deer species, including reindeer and moose, have subsequently been banned from Norway and Sweden by the EU Commission as a special measure to protect deer species elsewhere in the EU.

We do not hold information on the number of fly-tipping incidents on private land.

Tackling fly-tipping is a Government priority. We recently introduced fixed penalty notices of up to £400 for small-scale fly-tipping to give local authorities an alternative to prosecutions and enable them to take a more proportionate enforcement response. We have also enhanced local authorities’ and the Environment Agency’s ability to search and seize vehicles of suspected fly-tippers and cracked down on offenders by strengthening the Sentencing Council’s Guideline for fly-tipping offences.

As part of our waste and resource strategy, we are developing further proposals to tackle fly-tipping. We will enhance partnership working and intelligence sharing between Government agencies and local landowners. Through the National Fly-Tipping Prevention Group we are also working to improve reporting of fly-tipping on private land to better target enforcement, and support local authorities and the Environment Agency to investigate fly-tipping incidents on private land.

All private landowners are responsible for dealing with waste that is dumped on their land. We expect all local authorities to investigate fly-tipping incidents on private land and prosecute the fly-tippers when there is sufficient evidence. On conviction, a cost order can be made by the court so that a landowner’s costs can be recovered from the perpetrator. Through the National Fly-tipping Prevention Group we provide advice and guidance to landowners and businesses on measures they can take to prevent fly-tipping on their land.

I will raise charging at local authority waste sites in my next meeting with the Local Government Association.

Where Maximum Sustainable Yield targets cannot be determined, due to lack of data, multiannual plans must provide for measures to be based on the precautionary approach. The Government’s view is that the precautionary approach should be strictly evidence-based, with such data-limited bycatch stocks managed on a case-by-case basis and in line with the plans’ objectives. For stocks with a presumption of stability we have supported maintaining TACs at current levels, unless scientific advice suggests otherwise. Where possible we support moving to a full analytical assessment that would enable TACs to be based on the MSY approach.

The draft North Sea Multi Annual Plan includes an upper range for fishing consistent with Maximum Sustainable Yield. Exploitation rates may be set within this upper range only in certain prescribed circumstances, for example to maintain balance in a mixed fishery. The UK supports this general approach, which we consider to be consistent with the principle of sustainable fisheries.

Natural England is currently collating the satellite tracking data on hen harriers from both before and since 2002. Natural England plans to publish the information shortly. There is also an independent analysis of all the satellite tracking data being undertaken, which is due for publication in spring 2018.

We remain committed to fishing at MSY. In the North Sea multi-annual plan (MAP), the target fishing mortality ranges and the conservation reference points aim to ensure stocks are fished at rates consistent with maximum sustainable yield. We expect the range and reference points to be reviewed regularly to take account of the latest stock advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea.

The North Sea MAP has not yet been adopted and the ranges and reference points set out in the proposal may need to be reviewed to ensure they are consistent with scientific advice for 2018.

Advice used to inform the development of the proposed North Sea multi-annual plan has been published by the European Commission. This can be viewed at:

https://ec.europa.eu/info/consultations/multi-annual-plan-north-sea-demersal-fisheries_en

The EU’s North Sea multi-annual plan is still under negotiation. However, the Council of Ministers is seeking to include the following as target species: cod, haddock, plaice, saithe, sole, whiting, anglerfish, northern prawn and nephrops stocks in the North Sea. All other demersal species would be considered as bycatch stocks under the plan. Typical bycatch stocks for example include pollack, ling and turbot.

As a general rule the target species are those species for which there is a full scientific assessment. For bycatch species, a precautionary approach is applied given limited data.

In February 2015, the Farm Animal Welfare Committee (FAWC) published an independent assessment of the use of CCTV in slaughterhouses which concluded that CCTV can offer real benefits, particularly to slaughterhouse operators, but that it cannot replace the need for businesses to have proper monitoring procedures in place.

The vast majority of horses are slaughtered in slaughterhouses in England which have CCTV installed for welfare purposes, although cameras may not be present in all areas. Official Veterinarians also have the power to seize CCTV footage if they suspect that welfare standards are not being met.

Defra continues to encourage slaughterhouses to install CCTV in all areas on a voluntary basis in order to realise the benefits to animal welfare set out in the FAWC report.

The Government has guaranteed that the agricultural sector will receive the same level of funding that it would have received under Pillar I of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) until the end of the Multi-Annual Financial Framework in 2020. The last payment window in this Multi-Annual Financial Framework will be that which opens on 1 December 2019 and runs until 30 June 2020.

We will be announcing details of future domestic agricultural policy as soon as possible in order to provide certainty for farmers

The Government has guaranteed that the agricultural sector will receive the same level of funding that it would have received under Pillar I of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) until the end of the Multi-Annual Financial Framework in 2020. The last payment window in this Multi-Annual Financial Framework will be that which opens on 1 December 2019 and runs until 30 June 2020.

We will be announcing details of future domestic agricultural policy as soon as possible in order to provide certainty for farmers

The Prime Minister announced last year our plans for a Repeal Bill that will convert current EU law into domestic British law. Our intention is to ensure a smooth and orderly transition via the Repeal Bill. Without pre-judging what our future relationship with the EU will be or future decisions Parliament may make, this will provide as much certainty as possible by maintaining the existing laws; and this will include laws transposing the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.

The Prime Minister announced last year our plans for a Repeal Bill that will convert current EU law into domestic British law. Our intention is to ensure a smooth and orderly transition via the Repeal Bill. Without pre-judging what our future relationship with the EU will be or future decisions Parliament may make, this will provide as much certainty as possible by maintaining the existing laws; and this will include the laws that transpose the EU Water Framework Directive.

The Government proposes to publish a next steps document shortly which will set out our proposals for the animal establishments licensing review, following analysis of the 1,700 responses to the consultation.

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) are not able to provide any data regarding the number of imports from non-EU countries, as these are covered by a commodity code in TRACES which will not allow us to break the species down as far as reindeer for third country imports.

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) does not hold data on how long reindeer survive after they are imported into the UK. Reindeer are protected by the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006. It is an offence to cause unnecessary suffering and for keepers to fail to ensure their needs are met to the extent required by good practice. Defra has a welfare Code for farmed deer which offers guidance on their health and welfare, some of which would also be applicable to reindeer.

See the table below:

Reindeer are protected by the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006. It is an offence to cause unnecessary suffering and for keepers to fail to ensure their needs are met to the extent required by good practice. Defra has a welfare Code for farmed deer which offers guidance on their health and welfare, some of which would also be applicable to reindeer.

Certain diseases affecting reindeer are notifiable. These diseases include foot and mouth disease, bluetongue and chronic wasting disease. We are aware of suspected cases of chronic wasting disease which have been disclosed in wild reindeer, and potentially also moose, in Norway. Exports of deer species, including reindeer and moose, have subsequently been banned from Norway and Sweden by the EU Commission as a special measure to protect deer species elsewhere in the EU.

Imports of reindeer from the rest of the EU to the UK are subject to the import controls outlined below:

• They must be identified in accordance with the requirements of Article 6 of Council Directive 92/65/EEC and be registered by the competent authority in such a way that the holding of origin can be traced.

• They must not be intended for slaughter under a programme for the eradication of an infectious disease.

• They must not have been vaccinated against foot and mouth disease and must satisfy the control measures to be applied in the event of a foot and mouth outbreak.

• They must not come into contact with ungulates other than those of a similar health status.

• They must come from a holding that is not subject to any restrictions for animal health reasons.

• They must have been kept on the holding of origin since birth or for at least 30 days, before despatch.

• They must come from an officially tuberculosis-free/officially brucellosis-free herd/holding or from a holding where it/they was/were subjected with negative results to the tests laid down in Article 6(2)(b) [tuberculosis and brucellosis] of Council Directive 92/65/EEC.

• If both the destination and origin of the animals are establishments approved in accordance with Annex C of the Balai Directive, the consignment should be accompanied by the certificate laid down in Annex E III of Council Directive 92/65/EEC. Otherwise, the consignment must be accompanied by the certificate corresponding to the specimen given in Annex E I to Council Directive 92/65/EEC, signed by an official veterinary surgeon of the country of origin.

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) are not able to provide any data regarding the number of imports from non-EU countries, as these are covered by a commodity code in TRACES which will not allow us to break the species down as far as reindeer for third country imports.

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) does not hold data on how long reindeer survive after they are imported into the UK. Reindeer are protected by the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006. It is an offence to cause unnecessary suffering and for keepers to fail to ensure their needs are met to the extent required by good practice. Defra has a welfare Code for farmed deer which offers guidance on their health and welfare, some of which would also be applicable to reindeer.

See the table below:

The UK supports the management of data-limited stocks on a case-by-case basis, informed by all available evidence including directional trends in fishing mortality, stock biomass and fishing effort. It will be on this basis that Government will consider the Commission’s proposal on fishing opportunities for 2017 for data-limited stocks.

There are, as of 30 November 2016, 3,275 dogs on the Index of Exempted Dogs (dogs that are legally exempt from the general prohibition on certain types of dogs). If the relevant types of dogs were not prohibited the population of these dogs is likely to be higher

In 2014, the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 formed part of a wider review into tackling irresponsible ownership of dogs. That review resulted in several changes to the law on dangeorus dogs such as the extension of the offence of allowing a dog to be dangerously out of control to all places and increasing the maximum penalties for such an offence. Early intervention action was also made possible through new measures contained within the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime & Policing Act 2014, which came into force in 2015. These provisions have supported the minimisation of dog attacks on people.

We are making good progress towards sustainable fishing with more stocks than ever now being fished at Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY). 31 stocks of the 59 with full analytical assessment in the North East Atlantic (and surrounding waters) were fished in accordance with MSY in 2014, compared with just 19 in 2004[1].

Earlier this year, the UK’s provisional assessment for 2016 indicated that 24 stocks for which the UK has quota will be fished at or below maximum sustainable yield (MSY). A significant majority of these will be fished (a) at MSY rather than (b) below it; information on the specific stocks has been placed in the House Library.

We will be seeking to increase the number of stocks being fished in accordance with MSY in 2017 at the Fisheries Council in December.

[1] Reports of the Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECF) – Monitoring the performance of the Common Fisheries Policy (STECF-16-05) – CORRIGENDUM to STECF-16-03. 2016. https://stecf.jrc.ec.europa.eu/documents/43805/55543/2016-03_STECF+16-05+Monitoring+performance+CFP+CORRIGENDUM_JRC100945.pdf

The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) have made significant efforts in recent years to assess stocks where analytical maximum sustainable yield (MSY) assessments and estimates are not available and we support both developing MSY proxies in such cases, as well as moving towards full analytical MSY assessments for any stocks whenever supported by available science and evidence.

When a stock first moves from a data-limited assessment to an analytical MSY assessment, it can result in a large change in the advised Total Allowable Catch (TAC) due to the incorporation of additional evidence such as recruitment, both actual and predicted, rather than reflecting a real change in a stock’s dynamics. Therefore, in some cases it may be appropriate to have a short-term staged transition towards MSY.

The Government proposes to publish a next steps document shortly which will set out our proposals for the animal establishments licensing review, following analysis of the 1,700 responses to the consultation.

Sentencing of those found guilty of a criminal offence is a matter for the courts. Magistrates’ courts use sentencing guidelines published by the Sentencing Council to assist them when deciding the appropriate penalty for a particular offence. The Sentencing Council is currently undertaking a review of the guidelines.

The maximum penalty for an attack by a person on an assistance dog is 6 months’ imprisonment or an unlimited fine or both.

Sentencing of those found guilty of a criminal offence is a matter for the courts. Magistrates’ courts use sentencing guidelines published by the Sentencing Council to assist them when deciding the appropriate penalty for a particular offence. The Sentencing Council is currently undertaking a review of the guidelines.

The Government is aware of research that suggests there may be links between trends in different criminal offences such as offences against animals and offences against people, such as the recent research by Malcolm Plant, et al at Teeside University.

The Government is aware of research that suggests there may be links between trends in different criminal offences such as offences against animals and offences against people, such as the recent research by Malcolm Plant, et al at Teeside University.

The Government does not keep records of dogs that have been found to be dangerously out of control.

Since taking over responsibility for the policy on dangerous dogs Defra has published two guidance documents about the Dangerous Dogs Act. Although this guidance was mainly aimed at the police and local authorities it was available to everyone.

Specific details of the type or breed of dog involved in attacks are not held centrally. However, information held by Defra on reported dog attacks show that nine pit bull terriers were involved in eight of the 30 total fatal dog attacks since 2005.

The total number of live dogs on the Index of Exempted Dogs as of 30 November 2016 was 3,275. This number constituted of: (a) 3,149 dogs in England; (b) 118 dogs in Wales; and (c) 8 dogs in Scotland.

The total number of live dogs on the Index of Exempted Dogs as of 30 November 2016 was 3,275. This number consisted of: (1) 3.149 dogs in England; (b) 118 dogs in Wales; and (c) 8 dogs in Scotland. the overwhelming number of these dogs are pitbull terriers.

The Sentencing Council provide courts with guidelines for imposing appropriate sentences on offenders. It is currently reviewing the existing guidelines, including in relation to animal cruelty cases. The Sentencing Council is working on new guidelines which will be implemented in May 2017.

The Government does not keep a record of those instances wherein police allow dogs to be retained by their owners pending the outcome of the court’s decision. Individual police forces may hold their own records of this information.

The Government supports setting EU Total Allowable Catches (TACs) at Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) in 2017 wherever possible. In accordance with the provisions of Council Regulation 1380 / 2013 a delay in reaching MSY beyond 2017 would be allowed if a proposed TAC reduction would seriously jeopardise the social and economic sustainability of the fishing fleets involved. A decision may also be taken by the Council not to do so if it would merely increase the discarding of fish especially in a mixed fishery.

It would not be feasible to account fully for all the cases where the final outcome differs from the range of options recommended by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea, including advice on fishing at MSY and this information is not published by the EU.

The Government supports setting Total Allowable Catches (TACs) in line with the available scientific advice. The Government agrees with the joint statement made by Council and the European Commission at last year’s December Council that it is desirable to maintain the 2015 TAC level for certain specified data limited stocks, where the perception of the state of those stocks does not change significantly.

The total allowable catch (TAC) figures proposed by the European Commission for quota stocks for 2017 are based on scientific advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea. The forthcoming negotiations at December Council where the TAC figures for 2017 will be finalised will take into account the scientific advice provided.

Before the introduction of the landing obligation, TACs were set at a lower level to account for the mortality caused by discarding. Once stocks come under the landing obligation, TAC top-ups are allocated by the European Commission to account for discarding no longer taking place. The rationale for top-ups is that although top-ups result in extra quota being directed to fishermen, the total catch mortality will not increase, as fishermen will be landing what they catch.

TAC uplift provides practical flexibility to the fishing industry and helps them to adapt to the landing obligation during its phased introduction from 2015 to 2019. The UK Government supports this approach.

The first step towards developing the plan will be to publish soon the framework which will be open to all to contribute. We will use the feedback from this to help develop the full plan itself next year.

The first step towards developing the plan will be to publish soon the framework which will be open to all to contribute. We will use the feedback from this to help develop the full plan itself next year.

Section 1 of the 1991 Act prohibits certain types of dog, but the courts may permit some dogs to be retained by their keeper under strict conditions and registered with the Index of Exempted Dogs pursuant to a statutory exemption scheme. The number of new dogs registered with the Index per year is in the table below. The sum of these figures does not equate to the total number of dogs registered on the Index.

Data on the number of dogs destroyed under section 1 or the subject of proceedings under section 3 (dog being dangerously out of control) are not collected centrally.

Decisions on licence applications will be announced before the start of badger control operations. The cost will depend on the number of applicants authorised to proceed.

1. The average cost per bTB skin test.

   Costs will vary between regions but as an example; for 105 animals per test instruction, the average cost is £288.88 which equates to £2.75 per animal tested

   (This is the based on invoice costs as paid to Veterinary Delivery Partners divided by the number of test instructions and animals tested respectively.)

2. The gamma test cost IFNG Test Cost:

The standard IFNG blood test is a comparative test, like the tuberculin skin test.

High Specificity Test for Officially TB Free herd cattle only.

This reduces the likelihood of false-positive results, but at the expense of a lower Sensitivity (i.e. the probability of detecting infected animals) compared to the basic IFNG test, as follows:

- Sensitivity: 74.0% [95% CI: 70.4 – 83.0]

- Specificity: 99.2% [95% CI: 98.6 – 99.8]

High Sensitivity Test for cattle in TB-restricted herds

This test is the standard IFNG test format and carries the highest Sensitivity (probability of infection detection), but at the expense of a lower Specificity (higher probability of false-positives) as follows:

- Sensitivity 90.0% [95% CI: 87.2 – 92.8]

- Specificity 96.5% [95% CI: 95.3 – 97.7]

The comparative tuberculin skin test has, on average, a Sensitivity of 81.0% [95%CI: 77.3 – 84.7] and Specificity of 99.98% [95%CI: 99.9 - 100].

a). Tuberculin skin tests carried out each year between 2010 and 2015 in England:-

b). Number of gamma interferon tests carried out each year between 2010 and 2015 in England:-

Gamma interferon tests are supplementary blood tests, which are performed in herds already under TB restrictions to supplement the skin test and speed up the detection of infected animals. Therefore, such tests could not generate any new herd breakdowns (‘cases’) in 2010-2015. i.e. the number of new cases of bTB detected by gamma interferon tests in England in all those years was nil.

All the new cases of bTB were detected by skin testing of cattle herds or individual animals, with the exception of a small proportion that were first identified through routine post-mortem meat inspection of cattle. Slaughterhouse cases trigger approximately 15% of the total number of new bTB breakdowns detected each year in England.

The tuberculin skin test is the internationally accepted standard for detection of infection with M. bovis for the purposes of trade. The tuberculin skin test is more specific than the interferon gamma test but less sensitive (see PQ 41639). Thus the interferon gamma test is only used in specific circumstances in TB-affected herds in combination with the skin test to help with early identification and removal of TB infected animals and reduce the risk of spread of disease.

The Animal and Plant Health Agency issued export health certificates for 235 consignments of dogs to be exported to Hong Kong during 2015, relating to 267 dogs in total.

The Animal and Plant Health Agency have issued export health certificates for 281 consignments of dogs to be exported to Hong Kong within the last 12 months, relating to 309 dogs in total. To date 266 of these consignments have been confirmed, relating to 293 dogs in total.

The Government is committed to tackling wildlife crime. The UK National Wildlife Crime Unit, which is part-funded by Defra, monitors and gathers intelligence on illegal activities, including those relating to badger persecution and poaching, which are UK wildlife crime priorities. The Unit also provides assistance to police forces when required.

Court proceedings data for 2015, including those for the offences listed above, are planned for publication by the Ministry of Justice in due course.

The Government is committed to tackling wildlife crime. The UK National Wildlife Crime Unit, which is part-funded by Defra, monitors and gathers intelligence on illegal activities, including those relating to badger persecution and poaching, which are UK wildlife crime priorities. The Unit also provides assistance to police forces when required.

Court proceedings data for 2015, including those for the offences listed above, are planned for publication by the Ministry of Justice in due course.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Foyle, Mark Durkan, on 23 June 2015, PQ3270.

2014 figures for the number of persons proceeded against at magistrates' courts and found guilty at all courts for offences under the Hunting Act 2004 are set out, by police force area in England and Wales, in table 1.

There are no figures available for 2015.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Foyle, Mark Durkan, on 23 June 2015, PQ3270.

2014 figures for the number of persons proceeded against at magistrates' courts and found guilty at all courts for offences under the Hunting Act 2004 are set out, by police force area in England and Wales, in table 1.

There are no figures available for 2015.

The Government is committed to tackling wildlife crime. The UK National Wildlife Crime Unit, which is part-funded by Defra, monitors and gathers intelligence on illegal activities, including those relating to badger persecution and poaching, which are UK wildlife crime priorities. The Unit also provides assistance to police forces when required.

Court proceedings data for 2015, including those for the offences listed above, are planned for publication by the Ministry of Justice in due course.

We have no plans to make such an assessment.

The Rural Planning Review Call for Evidence will be published jointly by Defra and the Department for Communities and Local Government shortly.

We will pay out on all eligible claims from farmers. Extending the Farming Recovery Fund to eligible farmers in Lancashire and Yorkshire impacted by Storm Eva will therefore increase the total amount that will be paid out from the fund.

Information is available for live birds and hatching eggs. The number imported from each EU Member State in 2015 was as follows:

Information is available for live birds and hatching eggs. The number imported from each EU Member State in 2015 was as follows:

The Government has no plans to make an assessment or issue guidance on the import and use of fox urine for the purpose of trail hunting.

The Government has no plans to make an assessment or issue guidance on the import and use of fox urine for the purpose of trail hunting.

The previous coalition Government prepared an impact assessment for sustainable drainage policy, evaluated as fit for purpose by the Regulatory Policy Committee in February 2014. The impact assessment was informed by research available on Defra’s Science and Research Projects website.

We have extended the Farming Recovery Fund to allow eligible farmers in Lancashire and Yorkshire impacted by storm Eva, which hit over Christmas Day and Boxing Day, to be able to apply for support.

The deadline for applications has been extended from 18 March 2016 to 1 April 2016 to provide further time for affected farmers to apply.

Defra published the report ‘An Assessment of the implementation of the Soil Protection Review (SPR) 2010 and soil management practices in England’ in 2012. The report considered the overall impact of the SPR on soil management practices in England including on erosion.

Defra introduced new national standards for agricultural soils under cross compliance in January 2015 which apply to recipients of Common Agricultural Policy funding. The Government is monitoring the implementation of the new rules.

The penalty regime for cross compliance is set out in the Cross Compliance Guidance 2016 at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/guide-to-cross-compliance-in-england-2016

Currently, we are looking to include strict advice on the use of these devices in a revised version of the Code of Practice for the Welfare of Dogs. If the devices were to be used in compliance with an amended Code, it would only be as a last resort and on the advice of a veterinary surgeon or a suitably qualified behaviourist or dog trainer and by a competent operator. The revised Code could be adduced as evidence in court in order to determine whether an animal welfare offence has been committed. The impact of the revised Code will be assessed before any decisions are taken on possible future legislative action.

There are a number of diseases that can be passed between animals and humans (these are known as zoonotic diseases). Those affecting dogs include bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. One of the standard conditions of holding a dog breeding establishment is that all reasonable precautions must be taken to prevent and control the spread of infectious or contagious diseases.

The Government’s proposals on the review of the animal licensing legislation will be made available shortly.

The number of persons proceeded against at magistrates' court under Section 2 of the Dogs Act 1871, within Wales police force areas, from 1997 to 2014 (the latest available), can be viewed in table 1

The number of persons proceeded against at magistrates' court for selected offences under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, within Wales police force areas, from 1991 to 2014 (the latest available), can be viewed in table 2

Dog attacks are not recorded centrally. However, the attached table provides numbers of successful prosecutions against people who have allowed a dog to be dangerously out of control for each of the last two years for which figures are available.

Table 1

Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services - Ministry of Justice Ref: PQC16790

Table 2

Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services - Ministry of Justice Ref: PQC16879

.

The number of persons proceeded against at magistrates' court under Section 2 of the Dogs Act 1871, within Wales police force areas, from 1997 to 2014 (the latest available), can be viewed in table 1

The number of persons proceeded against at magistrates' court for selected offences under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, within Wales police force areas, from 1991 to 2014 (the latest available), can be viewed in table 2

Dog attacks are not recorded centrally. However, the attached table provides numbers of successful prosecutions against people who have allowed a dog to be dangerously out of control for each of the last two years for which figures are available.

Table 1

Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services - Ministry of Justice Ref: PQC16790

Table 2

Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services - Ministry of Justice Ref: PQC16879

.

The number of dogs in Wales that have been placed on the Index of Exempted Dogs under Section 4A and Section 4b of the Dangerous Dogs (Amendment) Act 1997 in each complete year since 1997 is in the table below. There were no recorded entries in Wales for the period 1997 – 2003.

The Department publishes data back to 1996 for England, Wales and Scotland and at a GB level.

Monthly statistics at a county level on bovine TB since 1996 will be published in December.

Detailed statistics on bovine TB from 1998 to 2010, including at county levels, can be found on the archived Defra website at:

http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20130402151656/http://archive.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/farmanimal/diseases/atoz/tb/stats/index.htm.

In addition, the annual surveillance report Bovine tuberculosis: Infection status in cattle in England includes the monthly proportion (and 12-month moving average) of cattle herds under TB movement restrictions as a result of TB breakdown in each TB risk region of England, in the period January 1986 to December 2014 (see Figures 3.2(a) and 3.2(b)). County prevalence values for 2014 are presented in Figure 3.4. The report is available online at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/467803/england-surveillance-report14.pdf

Defra commissioned research, published in 2012, to evaluate the implementation of the Soil Protection Review (SPR). The research took the form of a telephone survey of 800 claimants, with 30 in-depth interviews across a sample of farms by region, farm type and size.

Following recommendations by the Farming Regulation Task force, a review of the SPR was conducted. In January 2015, new national standards for agricultural soils under cross compliance were introduced. These rules require farmers in receipt of payments under CAP to prevent soil erosion, to maintain soil cover and to protect the level of organic matter in their soils.

The Government will continue to monitor the implementation of the new rules.

Details of Ministers' meetings with external organisations are published up to 31 March 2015 and can be accessed on GOV.UK at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ministerial-quarterly-transparency-information-january-to-march-2015

Further publications of Ministerial meetings will be published in due course.

Defra commissioned research, published in 2012, to evaluate the implementation of the Soil Protection Review (SPR). The research took the form of a telephone survey of 800 claimants, with 30 in-depth interviews across a sample of farms by region, farm type and size.

Following recommendations by the Farming Regulation Task force, a review of the SPR was conducted. In January 2015, new national standards for agricultural soils under cross compliance were introduced. These rules require farmers in receipt of payments under CAP to prevent soil erosion, to maintain soil cover and to protect the level of organic matter in their soils.

The Government will continue to monitor the implementation of the new rules.

The Government published Cross Compliance in England: soil protection standards 2015 in January 2015. The guidance provides advice on how to identify soil erosion and on how to minimise erosion from cropping practices, livestock and vehicles.

Farmers can access advice from the Farming Advice Service (FAS). The FAS is a service funded by Defra to help farmers understand and meet the requirements of Cross Compliance and other regimes, including the European Directives on water protection.

Farmers can also seek advice under the Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF) project, which is run by Natural England in partnership with the Environment Agency and Defra. CSF raises awareness of diffuse water pollution from agriculture by giving free training and advice to farmers in priority catchments.

The Government has received representations from a wide range of interested parties both for and against any repeal or amendment to the Hunting Act 2004.

The measures proposed in the draft Hunting Act 2004 (Amendment) Order 2015 would not remove the ban on hunting. Given this we judged that more consultation would not have been likely to add to the information available to us.

The Government has received representations from a wide range of interested parties both for and against any repeal or amendment to the Hunting Act 2004.

The measures proposed in the draft Hunting Act 2004 (Amendment) Order 2015 would not remove the ban on hunting. Given this we judged that more consultation would not have been likely to add to the information available to us.

The Government has received representations from a wide range of interested parties both for and against any repeal or amendment to the Hunting Act 2004.

The measures proposed in the draft Hunting Act 2004 (Amendment) Order 2015 would not remove the ban on hunting. Given this we judged that more consultation would not have been likely to add to the information available to us.

The Government stands by its manifesto commitment to give Parliament the opportunity to repeal the Hunting Act on a free vote, with a Government Bill in Government time.

While the debate on the Statutory Instrument did not take place, the Government has not withdrawn the Draft Hunting Act 2004 (Amendment) Order 2015.

The Government has received representations from a wide range of interested parties both for and against any repeal or amendment to the Hunting Act 2004.

The measures proposed in the draft Hunting Act 2004 (Amendment) Order 2015 would not remove the ban on hunting. Given this we judged that more consultation would not have been likely to add to the information available to us.

Defra followed normal practice for developing the Hunting Act 2004 (Exempt Hunting) (Amendment) Order 2015. Defra has received representations from a number of organisations about the repeal of the Hunting Act 2004. It received no representations from the Countryside Alliance on the Hunting Act 2004 (Exempt Hunting) (Amendment) Order 2015 prior to its publication.

Neither the Secretary of State nor I have met Bright Crop to discuss apprenticeships in the last six months. However, I have met them previously and we are involving them in developing the skills and careers elements of our long-term Food and Farming Plan and have invited them to one of the regional events we are holding to gather views and evidence on the future of the sector.

As part of our measured approach to tackling bovine TB and achieving disease control benefits, Natural England has authorised badger culling in Dorset this year in addition to Somerset and Gloucestershire.

Start dates are for cull companies to decide, not my Department. I can confirm that I have been notified that culling operations have started in both Gloucestershire and Somerset.

A ban on the use of wild animals in travelling circuses is a manifesto commitment and will be introduced as soon as parliamentary time allows. In the interim, the welfare of the 18 wild animals still being used by travelling circuses in England is protected by the Welfare of Wild Animals in Travelling Circuses (England) Regulations 2012

Officials in Defra and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills meet regularly to discuss how to treble the number of apprenticeships in food, farming and agri-tech. We will continue to work closely with other government departments and the food and farming sector to achieve the Government’s commitment on apprenticeships.

Defra is working with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills to achieve the Government’s commitment to treble the number of apprenticeships in food, farming and agri-tech. This will be an important part of the Government’s overall programme to increase apprenticeships during this Parliament.

We take evidence of the illegal importation of pets very seriously. The action we are taking to tackle this trade is focused on three areas.

Firstly, responsibility for stopping the illegal movement of puppies begins in the country where they are born, and we will continue to raise instances of abuse of the pet travel scheme with the relevant countries.

Secondly, we are maintaining effective border controls. The UK carries out more checks on pets at the border than most other EU Member States and stringent penalties are in place where people are found to be breaking the rules.

Thirdly, the illegal trade is driven by demand for cheap, pedigree puppies and we have published guidance on the steps pet owners can take to avoid buying an illegally imported pet. https://www.gov.uk/buying-a-cat-or-dog

Recent changes to the EU pet travel scheme introduced measures designed to improve the security of the regime and the traceability of the pet passport. A new minimum age of 12 weeks for rabies vaccination has also been introduced, which means that pet animals from EU countries must be at least 15 weeks old to enter the UK.

The Dogs Trust’s report highlights that responsibility for stopping the illegal movement of puppies begins in the country where they are born. The UK Chief Veterinary Officer has written to the authorities in the countries highlighted in the report to remind them of their duty to ensure that the welfare of pets intended for sale is safeguarded. Investigations were launched in both countries and appropriate action was taken against vets found to be at fault, including the suspension of licences. We will continue to alert the authorities in any Member State where we become aware of issues in relation to the operation of the pet travel scheme.

The UK carries out more checks on pets at the border than most other EU member states and stringent penalties are in place where people are found to be breaking the rules.

The illegal trade is driven by demand for cheap, pedigree puppies and we have published guidance on the steps pet owners can take to avoid buying an illegally imported pet. See: https://www.gov.uk/buying-a-cat-or-dog.

The Animal and Plant Health Agency and Rural Payments Agency are working closely to develop proposals. Any decisions in this area will be announced by the Secretary of State when made.

The Animal and Plant Health Agency and Rural Payments Agency are working closely to develop proposals. Any decisions in this area will be announced by the Secretary of State when made.

Following publication of the Better for Business report, the target date for achieving the reduction in guidance was set at May 2015. By that date Defra and its regulators had reduced guidance by 80%.

The project continues and we expect this figure to increase over the next few months. This reform enables businesses and the public to understand more easily what they have to do to comply with the law and to find this information more quickly, including guidance for farms.

My written statement of 25 March provides full details of the legislative reforms delivered by Defra during the previous Parliament, about a third of which relate to agricultural regulations.

The Rural Payments Agency uses a flexible resourcing approach, moving people onto different activities according to business need:

(a) The RPA have not hired any additional people to manage Basic Payment Scheme applications so far, but are in the process of taking on 68 agency temps who will start in the next two weeks. During May and June there were approximately 150 people from across the Defra, its agencies and NDPBs who were trained to work in Drop in Centres with RPA staff to cover the extended opening times.

(b) During April and May, RPA re-deployed approximately 50 people from outside the Operations directorate onto Basic Payment Scheme activities (including the Helpline and in Drop in Centres). During June approximately 80 people from outside of Operations have been deployed onto Basic Payment Scheme activities (including carrying out basic checks). These people will shortly be moving onto the next phases of data capture.

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills publish data online showing Apprenticeship Programme Starts by Sector Framework, including agriculture, horticulture, animal care and food manufacture:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/416508/apprenticeships-starts-by-sase-framework.xls

The table below illustrates the split between a) full-time and b) part-time staff employed at the RPA in the period requested. Figures shown are headcount as at the end of each financial year.

The Government’s commitment to treble the number of apprenticeships in food, farming and agri-tech is a key part of the Government’s overall programme to increase apprenticeships, which is led and funded by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. The future funding of apprenticeships will, as with all Government expenditure be considered as part of the next Spending Review. Our priority is to grow the number of apprenticeships and we will fund accordingly.

The Government does not have targets for intermediate, advanced or higher level apprenticeships. Apprenticeships are real jobs with training. The locations and sectors where apprenticeships are available are determined by employers offering opportunities. The Food and Drink Federation recently pledged to increase the number of level 3 apprentices in food and drink manufacturing by 20% by 2017.

The Secretary of State has discussed apprenticeships during a number of meetings with the food and farming industry. We will continue to do so as we take forward proposals for a long-term plan to promote growth in our food and farming sector.

Defra officials attended the launch of the document on 3 June 2015. The report will be considered in the context of the ongoing 5 year review of the Welfare of Racing Greyhounds Regulations 2010 on which Defra plans to consult later this year.

The RPA expects to pay the vast majority of payments early in the payment window which runs from December to June. As such we do not expect to provide cover for bridging finance from commercial banks for farmers

The RPA expects to pay the vast majority of payments early in the payment window which runs from December to June. As such we do not expect to provide cover for bridging finance from commercial banks for farmers

The early warning notices brought in by the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 came into force in October 2014 and it is too early to make an assessment of their effectiveness. However, the table attached shows the number of successful prosecutions brought under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 for allowing a dog to be dangerously out of control in 2014. The period for June to December covers the period when the amendments to the 1991 Act by the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 came into force.

Table 1

(1) The figures given in the table relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe.

(2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.

Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services - Ministry of Justice. Ref: 271-15 PQC 1009 - 1010 & 1013

Start dates have yet to be decided by the two cull companies in Gloucestershire and Somerset.

The Government is committed to our strategy to make England free of bovine TB, of which culling badgers in areas where the disease is rife is a key element. Options for how to proceed in extending the policy to other areas are still being considered.

The Chief Veterinary Officer has advised that based on the evidence of two annual culls, his view is that the likelihood of suffering in badgers culled by controlled shooting remains comparable with the range of outcomes reported when other culling activities, currently accepted by society, have been assessed, such as deer shooting.

A copy of the Chief Veterinary Officer’s advice is available at

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/bovine-tb-chief-veterinary-officers-advice-on-outcome-of-year-2-of-the-badger-culls

The number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates’ courts and found guilty at all courts of offences under Section 3 and 3(1) of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 can be viewed in Table 1 and Section 2 of the Dogs Act 1871, in England in 2014, can be viewed in Table 2.

Criminal justice statistics for 2015 are planned for publication in spring 2016.

Centrally held data cannot separately identify whether or not an attack took place in a public or a private place. This information may be held in individual court files, which could only be inspected at disproportionate cost.

With regard to the calendar split, no defendants were proceeded against at magistrates’ courts on the enhanced offences until June 2014; hence data for May has been retained together and a split from June to December presented.

Meanwhile, data reported to the Ministry of Justice, and held on the Court Proceedings Database, pertaining to criminal cases which were concluded at all courts in England and Wales between 20 October 2014 and 31 December 2014 (latest currently available) indicate that none of the Criminal Behaviour Orders (CBOs) issued were as a result of a conviction for a criminal offence specifically relating to dogs under the anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policy Act 2014.

The Ministry of Justice holds no information centrally on Community Protection Notices or injunctions related to powers under this Act.

Table 1

(1) The figures given in the table relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe.

(2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.

Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services - Ministry of Justice. Ref: 271-15 PQC 1009 - 1010 & 1013

Table 2

Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services - Ministry of Justice. Ref: 271-15 PQC 101

The number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates’ courts and found guilty at all courts of offences under Section 3 and 3(1) of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 can be viewed in Table 1 and Section 2 of the Dogs Act 1871, in England in 2014, can be viewed in Table 2.

Criminal justice statistics for 2015 are planned for publication in spring 2016.

Centrally held data cannot separately identify whether or not an attack took place in a public or a private place. This information may be held in individual court files, which could only be inspected at disproportionate cost.

With regard to the calendar split, no defendants were proceeded against at magistrates’ courts on the enhanced offences until June 2014; hence data for May has been retained together and a split from June to December presented.

Meanwhile, data reported to the Ministry of Justice, and held on the Court Proceedings Database, pertaining to criminal cases which were concluded at all courts in England and Wales between 20 October 2014 and 31 December 2014 (latest currently available) indicate that none of the Criminal Behaviour Orders (CBOs) issued were as a result of a conviction for a criminal offence specifically relating to dogs under the anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policy Act 2014.

The Ministry of Justice holds no information centrally on Community Protection Notices or injunctions related to powers under this Act.

Table 1

(1) The figures given in the table relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe.

(2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.

Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services - Ministry of Justice. Ref: 271-15 PQC 1009 - 1010 & 1013

Table 2

Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services - Ministry of Justice. Ref: 271-15 PQC 101

The number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates’ courts and found guilty at all courts of offences under Section 3 and 3(1) of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 can be viewed in Table 1 and Section 2 of the Dogs Act 1871, in England in 2014, can be viewed in Table 2.

Criminal justice statistics for 2015 are planned for publication in spring 2016.

Centrally held data cannot separately identify whether or not an attack took place in a public or a private place. This information may be held in individual court files, which could only be inspected at disproportionate cost.

With regard to the calendar split, no defendants were proceeded against at magistrates’ courts on the enhanced offences until June 2014; hence data for May has been retained together and a split from June to December presented.

Meanwhile, data reported to the Ministry of Justice, and held on the Court Proceedings Database, pertaining to criminal cases which were concluded at all courts in England and Wales between 20 October 2014 and 31 December 2014 (latest currently available) indicate that none of the Criminal Behaviour Orders (CBOs) issued were as a result of a conviction for a criminal offence specifically relating to dogs under the anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policy Act 2014.

The Ministry of Justice holds no information centrally on Community Protection Notices or injunctions related to powers under this Act.

Table 1

(1) The figures given in the table relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe.

(2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.

Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services - Ministry of Justice. Ref: 271-15 PQC 1009 - 1010 & 1013

Table 2

Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services - Ministry of Justice. Ref: 271-15 PQC 101

The number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates’ courts and found guilty at all courts of offences under Section 3 and 3(1) of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 can be viewed in Table 1 and Section 2 of the Dogs Act 1871, in England in 2014, can be viewed in Table 2.

Criminal justice statistics for 2015 are planned for publication in spring 2016.

Centrally held data cannot separately identify whether or not an attack took place in a public or a private place. This information may be held in individual court files, which could only be inspected at disproportionate cost.

With regard to the calendar split, no defendants were proceeded against at magistrates’ courts on the enhanced offences until June 2014; hence data for May has been retained together and a split from June to December presented.

Meanwhile, data reported to the Ministry of Justice, and held on the Court Proceedings Database, pertaining to criminal cases which were concluded at all courts in England and Wales between 20 October 2014 and 31 December 2014 (latest currently available) indicate that none of the Criminal Behaviour Orders (CBOs) issued were as a result of a conviction for a criminal offence specifically relating to dogs under the anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policy Act 2014.

The Ministry of Justice holds no information centrally on Community Protection Notices or injunctions related to powers under this Act.