Asked by: Paul Monaghan (Scottish National Party - Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross)
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 implications for its policies of China's recent decision to close its domestic ivory trade.
Answered by Thérèse Coffey
We were pleased to hear of China’s announcement to end its domestic commercial ivory trade in 2017. We look forward to seeing further detail on China’s measures, including understanding the nature of provisions for auctioning certified ivory ‘relics’ and how China plans to implement and enforce the new measures.
In September last year, the Environment Secretary announced a ban on trade in worked ivory from the last 70 years, making the UK rules on ivory amongst the toughest in the world. We will consult on these plans.
Asked by: Paul Monaghan (Scottish National Party - Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent steps her Department has taken to fulfil the Government's commitment to closing the UK ivory market.
Answered by Thérèse Coffey
In September, the Secretary of State for Environment announced a ban on trade in worked ivory from the last 70 years, making the UK rules on ivory amongst the toughest in the world. We will consult on these plans.
As part of our consultation, we will also seek evidence on the benefits and impacts of taking further action, and we welcome evidence from all stakeholders in response to our consultation.
I refer the Honorable Member to the debate on 6 February:
Asked by: Paul Monaghan (Scottish National Party - Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross)
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 publish the consultation paper on the UK ivory market.
Answered by Thérèse Coffey
In September, the Secretary of State for Environment announced a ban on trade in worked ivory from the last 70 years, making the UK rules on ivory amongst the toughest in the world. We will consult on these plans.
As part of our consultation, we will also seek evidence on the benefits and impacts of taking further action, and we welcome evidence from all stakeholders in response to our consultation.
I refer the Honorable Member to the debate on 6 February:
Asked by: Paul Monaghan (Scottish National Party - Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the consultation on the UK ivory market will look at plans to ban the trade in pre-1947 ivory.
Answered by Thérèse Coffey
In September, the Secretary of State for Environment announced a ban on trade in worked ivory from the last 70 years, making the UK rules on ivory amongst the toughest in the world. We will consult on these plans.
As part of our consultation, we will also seek evidence on the benefits and impacts of taking further action, and we welcome evidence from all stakeholders in response to our consultation.
I refer the Honorable Member to the debate on 6 February:
Asked by: Paul Monaghan (Scottish National Party - Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with Ministers of the Scottish Government on the future of Common Agricultural Policy payments; and if she will make a statement.
Answered by George Eustice
We held meetings with all of the Devolved Administrations, including Scotland, in Cardiff on 8 November, in Brussels at December Council on 11 December and we plan a further meeting in February.
In addition, officials from Defra are in regular contact with officials in Scottish Government regarding plans for the Great Repeal Bill.
Asked by: Paul Monaghan (Scottish National Party - Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross)
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 remove barriers to a more resource-efficient economy; and if she will encourage the Environment Agency to reopen its online definition of waste tool to new submissions.
Answered by Thérèse Coffey
As part of our planning for the UK’s exit from the EU, we are considering the options for reshaping our waste and resources policy and regulatory framework to encourage the more sustainable use of resources. We are currently developing a 25 year environment plan and will consult stakeholders early this year on the priorities for resources, waste and recycling. Views on the key barriers to resource efficiency and ideas for addressing these will be welcome. In parallel, we are working to ensure alignment with other plans in development such as the Government’s new industrial strategy and our emissions reduction plan.
The Environment Agency’s online definition of waste tool is still available. It can be used for a self-assessment of whether a material is a waste or not. The Definition of Waste Panel is closed until further notice while the Environment Agency reviews its role and purpose.
Asked by: Paul Monaghan (Scottish National Party - Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what representations she has received from businesses on the decision of the Environment Agency to close its Definition of Waste Panel to new applications; and what assessment she has made of the effect of that closure on businesses.
Answered by Thérèse Coffey
Defra and the Environment Agency have received 12 representations from businesses and three from the trade press about the closure of the Definition of Waste Panel. A review of the points made by businesses shows that their main concerns relate to economic effects, business development and innovation.
Asked by: Paul Monaghan (Scottish National Party - Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross)
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 promote the use of more sustainable materials in topsoil and mulch products.
Answered by Thérèse Coffey
We are supporting the horticulture sector to work towards targets for the removal of peat use in horticulture by 2020 for the retail sector and 2030 for the commercial sector as set out in the Natural Environment White Paper published in 2011. Part of this work is focussed on working with the industry on the development of a tool for assessing responsibly sourced and manufactured growing media ingredients.
Asked by: Paul Monaghan (Scottish National Party - Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of whether the requirement of the ferry company DFDS to require companion animals such as dogs and cats to remain inside vehicles and unattended during ferry crossings is compliant with her Department's pet travel policies.
Answered by George Eustice
Carriers who transport companion animals, such as pet cats and dogs, are obliged to meet the requirements of Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 on the protection of animals during transport. This Regulation requires commercial carriers, such as the ferry company DFDS, to be authorised as an animal transporter. Authorised transporters must ensure that staff are trained and must have procedures and operating instructions in place that demonstrate compliance with the Regulation.
In addition, in England, we also expect ferry companies to take into account the requirements of The Code of Practice for the Welfare of Dogs and the Code of Practice for the Welfare of Cats when transporting cats and dogs in order to meet their welfare needs in accordance with the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
Asked by: Paul Monaghan (Scottish National Party - Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross)
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 it her policy to prevent ferry companies from requiring companion animals, such as dogs and cats, to remain inside vehicles and unattended during ferry journeys.
Answered by George Eustice
Carriers who transport companion animals are obliged to meet the requirements of the EU Welfare in Transport Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 as well as either The Welfare of Animals (Transport) (England) Order 2006, or The Welfare of Animals (Transport) (Scotland) Order 2006 or The Welfare of Animals (Transport) (Wales) Order 2007, depending on where the animals arrive in Great Britain.
Commercial carriers, such as ferry companies, specify their own terms and conditions of carriage for companion animals and this provides the most appropriate way of meeting both animal welfare and operational needs.