Asked by: John Hayes (Conservative - South Holland and The Deepings)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to support sugar beet growers in areas affected by flooding.
Answered by Mark Spencer - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Government recognises that growing sugar beet is important for many farmers in central and eastern England, where the crop plays a vital role in the arable farm rotation, allowing a season of “rest” from intensive cereal production.
We also appreciate that the effects of variable weather conditions upon cash flow, yields and outcomes must be considered in both the short and longer term, and we therefore continue to engage closely with the arable sector.
It is too early to understand the exact impact of the recent flooding on the yield and quality of sugar beet still to be harvested or being stored in clamps. Farmers may need to manage their harvest in order to prevent soil damage.
Defra officials are in regular contact with producers and processors in the UK sugar industry to understand the situation as more information becomes available.
Asked by: John Hayes (Conservative - South Holland and The Deepings)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to help support sugar beet growers.
Answered by Mark Spencer - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Government recognises the importance of sugar beet farmers and their vital contribution to UK sugar production. We are committed to promoting fairness across the food supply chain, with risk and reward being properly shared.
We know that control of aphids and yellow virus, along with weather related problems - such as dry springs affecting crop establishment and wet conditions during the campaign harvests – can create issues for beet growers.
Defra’s reach and engagement with the agri-food sector is extensive and well-established. This includes regular contact with producers and processors in the UK sugar industry which ensures a strong two-way dialogue at both a ministerial and official level.
The UK Agricultural Market Monitoring Group, launched in January 2021, also monitors UK agricultural markets including price, supply, and trade enabling it to provide forewarning of any atypical market movements.
These allow Government to collect both data and industry intelligence on the agricultural sectors, including sugar, to understand any challenges being faced. We do not consider there is a case for support at this time but will keep the situation under review.
Asked by: John Hayes (Conservative - South Holland and The Deepings)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to help tackle the spread of invasive bamboo.
Answered by Trudy Harrison
The “bamboo” family is a collection of more than 1500 species, some of which are considered invasive.
The Government is aware that, if left uncontrolled, bamboo can in some cases become challenging to manage. It is advised that a physical barrier is used to prevent the uncontrolled spread of bamboo. Where the growth of bamboo poses an issue, the Government recommends that this is addressed by cooperation between owners and affected parties.
Whilst the Government recognises that many bamboo species are vigorous and fast-growing, they are not currently thought to pose a significant threat to wildlife or to socio-economic interests nationally. Defra utilises horizon scanning exercises to identify potentially invasive species. As a result, a risk assessment of Black Bamboo (Phyllostachys nigra) was recently undertaken, however this showed the species to be of low risk to the country and therefore no further action was taken.
Although the Government are not currently considering changing the legal status of one, or any, of the species of bamboo currently found in Great Britain, we keep matters such as these under review and continue to carry out horizon scanning and risk assessments for potential threats.
Asked by: John Hayes (Conservative - South Holland and The Deepings)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the Responsible Dog Ownership working group has held recent discussions on the American Bully XL breed.
Answered by Trudy Harrison
The Responsible Dog Ownership working group has not held recent discussions on the ‘American XL bully’ as this was outside the scope of its work. The Responsible Dog Ownership working group was tasked with considering improvements that could be made in relation to all breeds of dog, not specific individual breeds. Conclusions from this work are expected soon. These should address all aspects of tackling irresponsible dog ownership effectively, from prevention to robust, consistent enforcement, focusing on owners as well as on their dogs.
Asked by: John Hayes (Conservative - South Holland and The Deepings)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she has met with the RSPCA to discuss the effectiveness of the Dangerous Dogs Act in 2023.
Answered by Trudy Harrison
The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has not met with the RSPCA to discuss the effectiveness of the Dangerous Dogs Act to date in 2023.
Asked by: John Hayes (Conservative - South Holland and The Deepings)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she is taking steps to prevent dangerous dogs killing sheep in the context of the American Bully XL dog breed.
Answered by Trudy Harrison
The Government takes the issue of livestock worrying very seriously, recognising the distress this can cause farmers and animals, as well as the financial implications. We will be taking forward measures to modernise current livestock worrying legislation as soon as parliamentary time allows. In the meantime, we will continue to work on messaging and awareness about controlling all breeds of dog around livestock.
Asked by: John Hayes (Conservative - South Holland and The Deepings)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department has made a recent estimate of the number of bats that are killed by onshore wind turbines in each year.
Answered by Trudy Harrison
The Government does not have a recent estimate of the number of bats or birds killed by onshore wind turbines. The Government works closely with partners, including the renewable energy sector, to manage and mitigate any potential impacts of wind farms on birds, bats and their habitats. Wind farm developers must carry out an Environmental Impact Assessment to determine any impacts on protected species.
Asked by: John Hayes (Conservative - South Holland and The Deepings)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department has made a recent estimate of the number of birds that are killed by onshore wind turbines in each year.
Answered by Trudy Harrison
The Government does not have a recent estimate of the number of bats or birds killed by onshore wind turbines. The Government works closely with partners, including the renewable energy sector, to manage and mitigate any potential impacts of wind farms on birds, bats and their habitats. Wind farm developers must carry out an Environmental Impact Assessment to determine any impacts on protected species.
Asked by: John Hayes (Conservative - South Holland and The Deepings)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will undertake a review of the rise in dog attacks in the last five years.
Answered by Trudy Harrison
In December 2021 Defra published research in collaboration with Middlesex University investigating measures to reduce dog attacks and promote responsible dog ownership across all breeds of dog. In response to this research, we are working with police, local authorities and animal welfare organisations to consider how the recommendations could be taken forward and to identify ways in which to improve the application of the full range of existing dog control powers. As part of this, we are also considering the role of education and training (for both dogs and their owners) in reducing the risk of dog attacks, as well as considering how we can improve data collection and recording and enforcement practices. Better data collection would enable us to track the effectiveness of the measures that we put in place.
Conclusions from this work are expected later this year. These should address all aspects of tackling irresponsible dog ownership effectively, from prevention to robust, consistent enforcement, focussing on owners as well as on their dogs. In the meantime, my officials have also been working in partnership with police forces and local authorities across England and Wales to ensure the full range of existing dog control powers are effectively applied.
Asked by: John Hayes (Conservative - South Holland and The Deepings)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many American Bully XL dogs were seized by the police in each year since 2013.
Answered by Trudy Harrison
The police are not required to report this to us, and we do not hold this data. Any information on the seizure of dogs will be held by individual local authorities and police forces.