Asked by: Kevin Foster (Conservative - Torbay)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what support her Department is providing to the fishing industry in (a) Devon and (b) Cornwall.
Answered by Mark Spencer - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
In England, the Fisheries and Seafood Scheme invests at least £6 million in the sector annually. Last year, it approved around 240 projects worth almost £4 million in Devon and Cornwall investing in health and safety, limiting the environmental impact of fishing and improving the value and quality of fisheries products. Wider support via the £100 million United Kingdom Seafood Fund is also available.
Asked by: Kevin Foster (Conservative - Torbay)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when his Department next plans to review the use of electronic shock collars for dogs.
Answered by George Eustice
We have made clear in the recently updated statutory Code of Practice for the Welfare of Dogs that the use of any training method that includes physical punishment may cause can cause pain, injury and distress, lead to aggressive responses and worsen the problems they aim to address. However, we keep legislation in this area under review.
Asked by: Kevin Foster (Conservative - Torbay)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the issue of whaling was discussed during his visit to Iceland in August 2017.
Answered by George Eustice
During his visit to Iceland in August, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs raised the UK's continued opposition to commercial whaling with the Icelandic Prime Minister.
Asked by: Kevin Foster (Conservative - Torbay)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to introduce legislation to increase the maximum sentence for animal cruelty offences to five years' imprisonment.
Answered by George Eustice
We hope to publish draft legislation for consultation around the turn of the year, as announced on 30 September.
Asked by: Kevin Foster (Conservative - Torbay)
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 opportunities available for the fishing industry in the South West after the UK leaves the EU.
Answered by George Eustice
On leaving the EU, the UK will under international law become an independent coastal state with responsibility for controlling and managing its Exclusive Economic Zone. This will provide an opportunity to reach new fairer agreements on access and quota arrangements which will benefit West Country fishermen. .