"My Lords, the Trade Act specifically stipulated that farm produce imports should meet the same high animal welfare and environmental standards as this country’s. Can the Minister assure the House that that is happening, and will she investigate the reason why country of origin rules have not been applied so …..." Baroness McIntosh of Pickering - View Speech
"My Lords, may I commend to the Minister the report from the Environment and Climate Change Select Committee, on drought preparedness and the need to have environmental and economic assessments every year before the next drought? Obviously, I regret the situation in Yorkshire, where we have entered drought for the …..." Baroness McIntosh of Pickering - View Speech
"My Lords, not only should reservoirs be clean but they should ideally be full. Last week, on Friday, Yorkshire officially entered a drought status due to low water levels in reservoirs and rivers. I know the noble Baroness believes that there should be more reservoirs, particularly more smaller reservoirs, so …..." Baroness McIntosh of Pickering - View Speech
"My Lords, the Minister will be aware that the NFU has declared an urgent need for on-farm reservoirs. The Minister has stated frequently that she is in favour of on-farm reservoirs. However, there is an inconsistency in the guidance and planning for permitted development rights. Will she urgently speak to …..." Baroness McIntosh of Pickering - View Speech
"My Lords, will the Minister look carefully at the ownership of other water companies—Thames Water is obviously very much in the spotlight? Is she mindful of the contribution, over a number of years, that privatised water companies have made to the UK’s pension funds? Were these to be nationalised, what …..." Baroness McIntosh of Pickering - View Speech
"My Lords, the Minister will be aware that Anglian Water has raised objections to a planning application in a specific area of water stress. As matters currently stand, water companies are not statutory consultees and are deemed to have to make the connection even if the connection is unsafe. Would …..." Baroness McIntosh of Pickering - View Speech
"My Lords, with consecutive droughts followed by a flood, the consequences for the UK are severe. The Government have tools in their toolbox, such as the Cunliffe report and the forthcoming clean water Bill. For what reason has the clean water Bill been delayed until next year, if that is …..." Baroness McIntosh of Pickering - View Speech
"My Lords, I welcome the response to the Environment and Climate Change Committee’s Surviving Drought report to which the Minister referred, but she will be aware of the impact on farming, the horticultural sector and the fruit and vegetable sector that this year’s drought has caused. There is a very …..." Baroness McIntosh of Pickering - View Speech
"I am grateful to the Minister for responding on the point about of Section 182 guidance not, at this stage, being amended for physical sales—that is greatly appreciated from the PASS point of view—but he did not address the issue that retailers in the wine and spirit trade have raised, …..." Baroness McIntosh of Pickering - View Speech