Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if her Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a ban on the import and sale of plastic flying rings.

Answered by Emma Hardy - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Tackling marine litter and plastic pollution is a priority for the Government, which is why we are working domestically and internationally to implement measures that will prevent plastic and other litter from reaching the ocean in the first place.

The Government has not undertaken a specific assessment of the impact of plastic flying rings on seal populations. However, investigations of seal strandings conducted through the Government-funded Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme (CSIP) record and assess causes of seal injury and mortality, including cases involving marine litter. There have been no recorded instances of seal fatalities due to flying rings since routine seal mortality investigations were added into the CSIP in 2022.

Defra's Marine and Coastal Wildlife Code for England provides guidance on how to act responsibly around marine wildlife when visiting the coast, including the need for the public to take all litter home with them.

We would encourage anyone who sees a sick, injured or entangled seal to contact the British Divers Marine Life Rescue on 01825 765546. To report a dead seal, contact the CSIP on 0800 652 0333.

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 made an assessment of the potential impact of plastic flying rings on seal populations.

Answered by Emma Hardy - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Tackling marine litter and plastic pollution is a priority for the Government, which is why we are working domestically and internationally to implement measures that will prevent plastic and other litter from reaching the ocean in the first place.

The Government has not undertaken a specific assessment of the impact of plastic flying rings on seal populations. However, investigations of seal strandings conducted through the Government-funded Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme (CSIP) record and assess causes of seal injury and mortality, including cases involving marine litter. There have been no recorded instances of seal fatalities due to flying rings since routine seal mortality investigations were added into the CSIP in 2022.

Defra's Marine and Coastal Wildlife Code for England provides guidance on how to act responsibly around marine wildlife when visiting the coast, including the need for the public to take all litter home with them.

We would encourage anyone who sees a sick, injured or entangled seal to contact the British Divers Marine Life Rescue on 01825 765546. To report a dead seal, contact the CSIP on 0800 652 0333.

Memorial plaque for Ann Widdecombe

Richard Pengelly

Touring artists mobility arrangements

Public health campaign on the dangers of swimming in open water

Found: Northern Ireland Affairs Committee members present: Tonia Antoniazzi (Chair); Sorcha Eastwood; Claire

Found: Border Security and Asylum 2 Marsham Street London SW1P 4DF www.gov.uk/home-office Tonia Antoniazzi

Found: I am copying this letter to Tonia Antoniazzi MP, Chair of the Commons Northern Ireland Affairs Committee

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Tonia Antoniazzi (Chair); Chris Bloore; Simon Hoare; Mike Kane; Katrina

Found: I am copying this letter to Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent, Tonia Antoniazzi MP, Chair of the Commons

Found: Belfast BT1 4GF E: [email protected] www.gov.uk/nio Follow us on X: @NIOgov Tonia Antoniazzi

Found: 5723 [email protected] Our Ref: COR-0519-2026 Tonia Antoniazzi

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Tonia Antoniazzi (Chair); Chris Bloore; Claire Hanna; Simon Hoare

Found: I am copying this letter to Tonia Antoniazzi MP, Chair of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee, Ciara

Found: I am copying this letter to Tonia Antoniazzi MP, Chair of the Commons Northern Ireland Affairs Committee

Found: I am copying this letter to Tonia Antoniazzi MP, Chair of the Commons Northern Ireland Affairs Committee

Found: Affairs Committee Ruth Jones MP Chair of the House of Commons Welsh Affairs Committee Tonia Antoniazzi

Found: Current membership Tonia Antoniazzi (Labour; Gower) (Chair) Chris Bloore (Labour; Redditch) Sorcha Eastwood

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Tonia Antoniazzi (Chair); Chris Bloore; Sorcha Eastwood; Claire Hanna

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Tonia Antoniazzi (Chair); Chris Bloore; Sorcha Eastwood; Claire Hanna

Found:

Submit Evidence (by 1 Sep 2026)

The committee is undertaking an inquiry into the taxation of the hospitality and tourism sectors in Northern Ireland, which will consider differences in VAT rates and other costs between Northern Ireland’s hospitality and tourism sectors compared with the Republic of Ireland. It will examine the potential impact of a reduced VAT rate and explore what other tax and policy changes could help support the sectors.