Asked by: Ronnie Cowan (Scottish National Party - Inverclyde)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions she has had with the Home Secretary on licensing process of growing hemp.
Answered by Mark Spencer - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
No Ministerial discussions have taken place to date. However, there is a strong working relationship between Defra and the Home Office at official level, and topics such as the licensing regime for industrial hemp, for which the Home Office has responsibility, are regularly discussed.
Asked by: Ronnie Cowan (Scottish National Party - Inverclyde)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has placed sanctions on Russian owned and operated fishing vessels that may have obtained fish quotas or licences to fish within UK waters.
Answered by Victoria Prentis - Attorney General
We have not issued licences to fish in British fishery limits to any vessels which fly the Russian flag. We do not believe that any vessels owned or operated by Russian nationals currently fish in UK waters. UK quotas are only allocated for use by British-registered vessels.
Asked by: Ronnie Cowan (Scottish National Party - Inverclyde)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what progress his Department has made on the future of pet travel between the UK and the EU after the end of the transition period.
Answered by Victoria Prentis - Attorney General
There will be no change to the current health or documentary requirements for pets entering GB from the EU from 1 January 2021, in the immediate term. This is to ensure a smooth transition.
The Department has submitted an application to the European Commission to become a 'Part I' listed third country in relation to non-commercial movement of pet dogs, cats and ferrets from the UK into the EU. Acceptance of this application would mean very similar documentation and health requirements to those that are required now for pet owners and users of assistance dogs travelling to the EU. The Commission is considering our application.
The requirements for entry to the EU after the end of the transition period are dependent on the UK's listed status and information on requirements will be communicated via further updates on GOV.UK. It is the duty of a responsible Government to adequately prepare those who travel with pets to the EU under any listing scenario, including in the event that GB becomes an unlisted third country. We issued guidance in early August to ensure that those who wish to travel with their pet on the 1st January 2021 will be able to do so. We have recommended that pet owners visit their vet four months in advance of travel to the EU.
Asked by: Ronnie Cowan (Scottish National Party - Inverclyde)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what acreage of land in the UK is under cultivation for the legal production of opium poppies.
Answered by George Eustice
Defra does not hold any official statistics on the acreage of land under cultivation for the legal production of opium poppies in the UK. This information is collected under the category “crops for aromatic or medicinal use". This category includes plants such as poppies, lavender, chamomile, and plants or parts of plants used for pharmaceutical purposes, perfume manufacture or other aromatic products. As a consequence we are not able to distinguish the area of opium poppies from the other crops that fall into that category.