Asked by: Sarah Dyke (Liberal Democrat - Glastonbury and Somerton)
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 the potential merits of introducing a close season for hares in England before the start of the 2027 breeding season.
Answered by Jenny Riddell-Carpenter - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
This Government’s Animal Welfare Strategy is clear we will consider how to bring forward and introduce a close season for hares. A close season should reduce the number of adult hares being shot in the breeding season, which runs from February to October, meaning that fewer leverets (infant hares) are left motherless and vulnerable to starvation and predation. This Government needs a suitable primary legislative vehicle in place to deliver this change. Defra will do its utmost to look for suitable opportunities to take this measure forward. It is unlikely this could be done before the start of the 2027 breeding season.
Asked by: Sarah Dyke (Liberal Democrat - Glastonbury and Somerton)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans her Department has to bring forward legislation to introduce a close season for hares in England.
Answered by Jenny Riddell-Carpenter - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
This Government’s Animal Welfare Strategy is clear we will consider how to bring forward and introduce a close season for hares. A close season should reduce the number of adult hares being shot in the breeding season, which runs from February to October, meaning that fewer leverets (infant hares) are left motherless and vulnerable to starvation and predation. This Government needs a suitable primary legislative vehicle in place to deliver this change. Defra will do its utmost to look for suitable opportunities to take this measure forward. It is unlikely this could be done before the start of the 2027 breeding season.
Asked by: Sarah Dyke (Liberal Democrat - Glastonbury and Somerton)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether daily reservoir and river level checks conducted in response to drought conditions will be published.
Answered by Emma Hardy - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Reservoirs are assets owned by water companies, and they are being monitored closely. Daily reservoir and river level checks conducted in response to drought conditions will not be published unless a water company decides to do so. Ministers are holding weekly meetings with water companies in areas of severe drought to provide MPs representing affected areas with the latest updates and an opportunity to raise questions or concerns.
Asked by: Sarah Dyke (Liberal Democrat - Glastonbury and Somerton)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what impact assessment the department has undertaken on the impact of drought conditions on farmers.
Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The UK Agriculture Market Monitoring Group (UKAMMG), formed by Defra and the Devolved Governments, routinely follows the events that affect the agricultural markets, including extended adverse weather.
The requested information is available on GOV.UK here.
Asked by: Sarah Dyke (Liberal Democrat - Glastonbury and Somerton)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what new measures the department is bringing in to improve water quality monitoring, as mentioned by the Minister for Water and Flooding in the Oral Statement on 16th October 2026.
Answered by Emma Hardy - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
In response to severe drought, Government has instructed water companies to monitor reservoir and river levels daily and strengthen water quality monitoring. The Environment Agency will increase abstraction compliance checks, undertake site-specific downstream monitoring and visual inspections, deploy fish rescue teams where needed, while local resilience forums will coordinate support.
Asked by: Sarah Dyke (Liberal Democrat - Glastonbury and Somerton)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment the department has made of the impact of drought conditions on customer water supplies; and what steps have been taken to warn the customers affected.
Answered by Emma Hardy - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
As of 15 October, severe drought has been declared in parts of the South West and South East. Government and regulators have strengthened their response through enhanced engagement with Local Resilience Forums, public water-saving campaigns, and increased monitoring. Water supplies remain secure while the National Drought Group coordinates action.
Asked by: Sarah Dyke (Liberal Democrat - Glastonbury and Somerton)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what progress has been made so far against the objectives of the Government's National Drought Group.
Answered by Emma Hardy - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
National Drought Group has supported a coordinated national response to drought, maintaining oversight of water supply and environmental risks, advising government, and bringing together key sectors to manage impacts and maintain clear, consistent public messaging. Current priorities are winter recovery, preparedness for 2027, and readiness to respond should conditions worsen.
Asked by: Sarah Dyke (Liberal Democrat - Glastonbury and Somerton)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many staff are allocated to the Government's National Drought Group and how much of their time is allocated to the Group.
Answered by Emma Hardy - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Environment Agency provides the organisation and secretariat functions for the National Drought Group and its associated sub-groups. Around 25 staff currently contribute each week to supporting the operation and delivery of the National Drought Group.
Asked by: Sarah Dyke (Liberal Democrat - Glastonbury and Somerton)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many staff are allocated to the Government's Flood and Drought Resilience Taskforce and how much of their time is allocated to the Taskforce.
Answered by Emma Hardy - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Defra has a dedicated team of civil servants who are allocated to the Flood and Drought Resilience Taskforce.
Asked by: Sarah Dyke (Liberal Democrat - Glastonbury and Somerton)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, a) how many stakeholders attended the first meeting of the Government's National Drought Group, b) how often the Group will meet and c) whether her Department will publish actions from this meeting.
Answered by Emma Hardy - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The National Drought Group has been running for this drought since 18 June 2026.
34 stakeholders attended the initial meeting.
Minutes and actions of the meetings can be obtained by emailing [email protected]