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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps the Environment Agency is taking to monitor the contribution of septic tanks to sewage pollution in (a) Hexham constituency, (b) the North East, (c) Northumberland, (d) Newcastle and (e) England.

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

Septic tanks provide safe waste management for properties, often located in isolated rural areas, without access to the mains sewage network. Typically small in volume, discharges from septic tanks are regulated under General Binding Rules established in 2023. The General Binding Rules impose requirements designed to prevent pollution without the need for an environmental permit. Discharges from septic tanks operating under the General Binding Rules must not cause pollution of surface water or groundwater.

The Environment Agency considers the contribution of septic tanks to sewage pollution in England as part of its approach to River Basin Management Plans. When a water body is not achieving good status, the cause is investigated and, where sufficient evidence is available, it is attributed to a sector such as private sewage systems (including septic tanks).

The Environment Agency also receives reports from the public, its partners, and its own staff monitoring the water environment in catchments across the country about pollution caused by discharges from septic tanks. The Environment Agency responds to these reports by assessing the risk posed to the environment. Where necessary the Environment Agency will take further action to ensure that discharges comply with the General Binding Rules.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what his planned timetable is for banning animal snares.

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

This is a devolved matter, and the information provided therefore relates to England only.

The Government will introduce the most ambitious programme for animal welfare in a generation. As outlined in our manifesto, we will bring an end to the use of snare traps. We are considering the most effective way to deliver this commitment and will be setting out next steps in due course.

Found: Jameson MP Justice Josh Simons MP Justice Zubir Ahmed MP Health and Social Care Joe Morris