Asked by: Karin Smyth (Labour - Bristol South)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what progress she has made in negotiations with the European Commission on securing Part 1 listed status for transporting pets to the EU.
Answered by Mark Spencer - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The United Kingdom has been formally 'listed' as a 'Part 2' third country for the purposes of the European Union pet travel scheme, which means that new rules apply to pet movements from Great Britain to the European Union and to Northern Ireland. The pet health and documentary requirements for such pet travel are set out under the European Union Pet Travel Regulations.
Defra recognise the undue impact that these changes are having on many people, including pet owners and assistance dog users. We are continuing to seek agreement from the European Commission on awarding Great Britain 'Part 1' listed status and recognition of the United Kingdom's tapeworm-free status, and we see no valid animal health reason for these not to be granted. We have one of the most rigorous pet checking regimes in Europe to protect our biosecurity and we continue to discuss pet travel issues with the European Union at appropriate forums.
Asked by: Karin Smyth (Labour - Bristol South)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 3 July 2020 to Question 64952 on Air Pollution: Coronavirus, what further studies he has (a) commissioned or (b) plans to commission on the association between covid-19 and air pollution; and if he will make it his policy to publish those studies.
Answered by Rebecca Pow - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Air Quality Expert Group (AQEG) report provides an early snapshot of evidence (pre-April 30 2020) and is an important component of Defra's response to COVID-19 and strategic leadership to improving air quality in the UK. A detailed follow-up by AQEG in the form of a more traditional review of the peer reviewed evidence will follow when more is known on the impact of the pandemic on air quality.
Defra continues to have extensive discussions with DHSC and the research community, on the relationship between air quality and health. We are committed to improving our understanding of the possible links between air quality and COVID-19, to inform policy development and will publish any studies at an appropriate time.
I welcome the EFRA Committee Inquiry into Air Quality, and we will be submitting further information about work on the links between air pollution and Covid-19 in our response to the call for evidence.
Asked by: Karin Smyth (Labour - Bristol South)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his Department's policies of research that links dirty air and increased infections of covid-19; and what additional steps he is taking to keep air pollution levels low.
Answered by Rebecca Pow - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Government is taking a proactive approach to understand the possible links between air quality and COVID-19. That is why, with our Air Quality Expert Group (AQEG), we ran a rapid Call for Evidence to ensure we can more fully understand the impact that COVID-19 is having on air pollutant emissions, concentrations and human exposure. This report was published on 1 July. On the specific issue of COVID-19 and the link to air pollution, it is a particularly challenging and uncertain area. We note that there is emerging evidence suggesting an association, but many of the emerging papers are, as yet, generally not peer-reviewed and are of variable quality. Currently, there is no clear evidence to suggest that air pollution has a direct link to the spread or severity of COVID-19 in the United Kingdom.
Improving air quality remains a top priority for the Government and, especially during these unprecedented times, we will continue to take robust and comprehensive action to improve air quality in the UK and minimise public health impacts.
Asked by: Karin Smyth (Labour - Bristol South)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if his Department will provide updated guidance and advice to local authorities on how Clean Air Zone programmes are affected by the covid-19 lockdown.
Answered by Rebecca Pow - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
We are in active dialogue with all local authorities with nitrogen dioxide (NO2) exceedances, including those planning Clean Air Zones (CAZs), and are continuing to provide them with specific support and guidance. We are clear that even in these challenging times, we are committed to delivering compliance with NO2 limits in the shortest possible time and that NO2 reduction measures, including CAZs, are still needed.