Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment they have made of the potential impact of Natural England's proposals to include Dartmoor ponies in livestock counts on the future population and conservation of Dartmoor Ponies in the Newton Abbot constituency.
Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Government recognises the important role that Dartmoor ponies play in the landscape, biodiversity and cultural heritage of Dartmoor. There are no plans under this Government to reduce the number of Dartmoor ponies, and we are working closely with Natural England and other stakeholders to support a thriving pony population alongside the recovery of Dartmoor's protected habitats.
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
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 engaged with international trading partners on equivalence and mutual recognition of timber treatment standards, particularly in relation to the (i) United States and (ii) European Union.
Answered by Mary Creagh
The Government engages regularly with international partners on a range of issues affecting timber trade, including the United States and European Union.
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the UK’s Sanitary and Phytosanitary regime on the cost and availability of imported timber products.
Answered by Mary Creagh
This Government is currently negotiating a Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement to make agrifood trade, including wood and wood products, with the biggest market cheaper and easier, cutting costs and regulatory barriers for British producers and retailers. For timber products in scope, this will reduce friction at the border and support smoother trade.
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
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 take steps to introduce greater offenses for badger baiting.
Answered by Mary Creagh
In England and Wales, the Protection of Badgers Act 1992 and the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 make killing or injuring badgers a criminal offence. Anyone who breaches this legislation could face up to a six-month custodial sentence and/or an unlimited fine.
This Government’s Animal Welfare Strategy, published in December 2025, made a commitment to review and look to strengthen penalties for cruelty against wildlife, including badger baiting, so they are consistent with higher levels of sentencing available for offences against domestic animals under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
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 help reduce cases of Badger Baiting.
Answered by Mary Creagh
Badger persecution is a UK wildlife crime priority, and a police-led Tactical Delivery Group exists to tackle offences against badgers.
Defra is providing £530,000 in the financial year 2026-2027 for the National Wildlife Crime Unit, which helps prevent and detect wildlife crime by obtaining and disseminating intelligence.
In England and Wales, the Protection of Badgers Act 1992 and the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 provide protection against certain methods of killing, injuring, or taking of badgers, or interference with their setts. Anyone who breaches this legislation could face up to a six-month custodial sentence and/or an unlimited fine.
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when the department plans to respond to written question 3633 on Climate Change: Environment Protection tabled by the hon. member for Newton Abbot on 20 May.
Answered by Mary Creagh
The answer to question 3633 was published on 1 July 2026.
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
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 make an assessment of the potential merits of launching a government backed screening of the 'National Emergency Briefing' to the nation.
Answered by Mary Creagh
In July 2025, the Government made the first-of-a-kind statement on the State of Climate and Nature, supported by parliamentary debate. We have since set out our priorities within the revised Environmental Improvement Plan, alongside the ‘Energising Britain’ public participation plan. This sets out how we will ensure people have the facts and understand the scale, pace of change and benefits of climate and nature action, on which we will continue to speak clearly.
Broadcasters in the UK operate independently of Government and decisions about national screenings are a matter for their editorial judgement.
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when the department plans to respond to the correspondence from the hon. member for Newton Abbot sent on the 25th of March under case reference MW12483.
Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
A reply to the hon. Member is being prepared and will be issued as soon as possible.
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
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 reduce the levels of sea life unintended to be caught which get caught in fish lines.
Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Minister Hardy attended the launch of Wildlife and Countryside Link’s “Hidden in the Haul” report. The department is considering the report’s detail.
To understand and address bycatch, Defra funds a range of initiatives including:
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when her Department plans to respond to the correspondence from the hon. Member for Newton Abbot sent on 24 April 2026 with case ref MW15524.
Answered by Mary Creagh
A reply to the hon. Member is being prepared and will be issued as soon as possible.