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Angela Eagle
LAB✓ Current MP
🏛️ Wallasey
📅 1992–2026
3,059 speeches on Hansard record
✅ Votes attended: 75.33%
🟢 Rebelled against party: 0.10%
📝 Topics: Departmental Redundancy, Partnership Agreements, Race Relations
🤝 Member of 2 All-Party Parliamentary Groups
Written Answers
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Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
The first meeting of the Board took place on 25 March 2026 with an initial membership of 7 industry leads and experts. Together, this initial group provided coverage and expertise across farming and food production, distribution, processing and manufacturing, and the…
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I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 18 March 2026 to the hon. Member for Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend, PQ UIN 120331.
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The UK Government, Scottish Government, Welsh Government and the Northern Ireland Executive have launched a joint consultation and call for evidence on proposals to modernise UK fertilisers legislation. The consultation and call for evidence set out plans…
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As part of the UK‑EU SPS Agreement currently being negotiated, the Government is making a sovereign choice in the national interest to align in some areas where it makes sense to do so, as set out in the Government’s recently published announcement on legislation in scope. The…
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We are aware that increased input costs from fertiliser and energy have the potential to increase food prices in the medium to long term. Given this concern, we are closely monitoring the impacts of the conflict on food businesses and working with stakeholders to understand the implications for…
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The United Kingdom is not heavily dependent on direct nitrogen fertiliser imports from the Middle East, but like other countries we are exposed to global benchmark prices and international competition. Recent market volatility has seen an increase in fertiliser prices, reflecting global conditions…
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The current situation and impacts on farmers in particular, and industry more widely, of current rising fertiliser prices are being monitored closely. Defra will continue to engage with industry and farmers to understand potential…
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The fertiliser market is a global market, and while there is no immediate risk to UK supply, the market price in the UK is strongly influenced by international prices for fertiliser and by the value of the pound. The Government is aware of the current price increase for…
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Defra continues to engage with actors across public sector supply chains and are carefully considering possible policy options, including the potential for updating the government buying standards for food and catering services (GBSF). We will continue to work closely with the Department for Health…
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As set out in the Animal Welfare Strategy, public sector food procurement policies have the potential to drive more positive animal welfare outcomes. We will explore such opportunities as we develop our policy, including the potential to strengthen the animal welfare provisions across a range of…
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I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 16 March 2026 to the hon. Member for Stockport, PQ UIN 118907.
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The Government will publish guidance on which methods of killing decapods are compatible with the existing legal requirements on animal welfare at time of killing. This guidance is under development.
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The Government is committed to an evidence-based and proportionate approach to setting welfare standards for decapod crustaceans. The Government set out in the Animal Welfare Strategy that it will develop this evidence base through research and continued stakeholder engagement. Research on how live…
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Our Environmental Land Management schemes are strengthening the environmental foundations of farm profitability, and the Farming and Food Partnership Board will drive long-term profitability across the farming sector. Furthermore, our response to Baroness Batters’ profitability review and our…
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I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Stourbridge on 24 March 2026 PQ UIN 121217.
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Fur farming is banned in the UK. Restrictions also apply to imports including fur and fur products from seals, cats and dogs. Other long-established controls include those covering fur from species protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. On 26 March the Government…
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A UK-wide consultation on laying hen cage reform was launched on 12 January 2026 and closed on 9 March 2026. The Government is now analysing consultation responses and will publish a formal response in due course.
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The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953, as amended, covers livestock worrying incidents that take place on roads and paths, such as when animals are being moved from one field to another or where the person in charge of the dog causes it to attack straying livestock on a road or path. This…
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The Innate Health Assessment tool has been created by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare to tackle suffering caused by extreme physical body shapes in dogs. This voluntary tool can be used by breeders, dog owners or prospective dog owners to check any dog’s innate health…
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Defra is actively monitoring the impact of diesel price changes on the fishing sector. The Government has raised industry concerns about red diesel prices, including price transparency, with the Competition and Markets Authority and we are committed to ensuring that this market functions fairly.…
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Defra is actively monitoring the developments in the Middle East and the impacts for our food and farming sectors, including ongoing discussions with industry leaders to gather evidence. Food security is a core national priority. We are closely monitoring the impacts of the conflict on food…
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The total value of severance payments is set out in the department’s Annual Report and Accounts, which are available for the last three years.
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Defra works with industry and across Government to monitor risks that may arise. This includes extensive, regular and ongoing engagement in preparedness for, and response to, issues with the potential to cause disruption to food supply chains. At present, there are no significant impacts to the…
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An assessment of the potential merits of food mile targets has not been made. The Good Food Cycle highlighted the importance of strong and resilient local food systems. It is important to note that ‘food miles’ alone are not a reliable measure of a product’s total environmental…
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The Government has allocated a record £11.8bn to sustainable farming and food production over this parliament. Defra is targeting public money where it delivers most value, supporting farmers and land managers to help restore nature and boost farm productivity. Support includes the Sustainable…
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The UK has a resilient food system producing around 65% of all the food eaten in the country. Through international trade, the UK has access to food products that cannot be produced here, which supplements domestic production and ensures that any disruption from risks such as adverse weather do not…
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Defra is targeting public money where it delivers most value, supporting farmers and land managers to help restore nature and boost farm productivity, which in turn protects food security and builds resilience to climate change. The Sustainable Farming Incentive offer for 2026 will be more…
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UK self-sufficiency has remained broadly stable for several decades. In 2024, the UK was 65% self-sufficient for all food; 77% for food that can be produced here. In most scenarios, strong domestic production as well as imports through stable trade routes ensures a supply of food is maintained and…
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As set out in the Animal Welfare Strategy, Defra has commissioned a research project, led by the University of Bristol, to explore the link between animal abuse and domestic abuse and to identify additional opportunities for intervention. Defra will consider the outcomes of this research once…
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The Slurry Infrastructure Grant first opened in 2022 and has run for two rounds. The grant supports farmers to build 6-month slurry storage and to cover stores with impermeable covers to reduce ammonia emissions. The Farming Equipment and Technology Fund 2026 grant supports farmers, growers,…
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Young people are essential to the long-term resilience of UK agriculture, and Defra works closely with industry bodies, including the National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs (NFYFC), to promote careers in the sector and to understand the challenges facing new entrants. Defra provides…
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Defra has assessed slurry storage systems and their ability to reduce agricultural methane emissions, including retrofitted permeable and impermeable covers. These are detailed in the Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan (2025). Available scientific evidence found that the methane reduction…
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I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Spen Valley on 19 March 2026 to PQ UIN 121027.
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The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) leads on management and publication of the English Indices of Deprivation (IoD). Defra collaborated with MHCLG on a review and update of the indices, published in October 2025. A comprehensive independent literature review identified…
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Environmental Land Management schemes have seen high levels of uptake by the farming sector with 50,000 farm businesses and over half of all agricultural land involved in schemes. Detailed uptake of each action in schemes is published here Agri-environment scheme uptake data - GOV.UK. We have a…
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The Government is committed to an evidence-based and proportionate approach to setting welfare standards for decapod crustaceans. We set out in our Animal Welfare Strategy that we will develop this evidence base through research and continued stakeholder engagement. Defra-commissioned research on…
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The Government does not believe that the accelerated roll-out of solar generation poses a threat to food security. The total area used by solar farms is very small. Even in the most ambitious scenarios, we only expect up to 0.4% of total UK land to be occupied. The analysis carried out in the Land…
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GS4 was previously an option called ‘Legume and herb-rich swards’ available to farmers under legacy Countryside Stewardship Mid Tier and Higher Tier agreements. This option was replaced with a broadly equivalent action called ‘Herbal leys’ under both the new Sustainable…
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A new predictive Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) map for England has been created to replace the existing 1960s provisional ALC map. The 1960s provisional ALC map does not show ALC Grade 3 subdivision into subgrade 3a and 3b and reflects a superseded ALC methodology. The Predictive ALC map…
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A formalised interdepartmental framework is not required. Defra works closely with the Home Office across a range of policy areas where there are potential animal welfare impacts. Moreover, Government policy proposals are subject to the standard processes of collective agreement which provides a…
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In the Animal Welfare Strategy, published 22 December 2025, Defra confirmed its intention to consult in early 2026 on how to deliver a ban on trail hunting. The planned consultation will invite respondents to raise any matters which they consider relevant and will provide an opportunity to submit…
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Defra recognises the recent increase in fertiliser prices caused by the conflict in the Middle East. We are in close contact with domestic fertiliser suppliers and farming unions and are monitoring overall supply to the UK. Defra will continue to engage with industry and farmers to understand…
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In preparation for the recent consultation on laying hen cage reform, the Government carried out an assessment of the potential impact of the proposed reforms to laying hen welfare policy on UK egg producers and, as part of the consultation, sought views on that assessment. The Government is now…
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Defra does not issue guidance on development on, or near land, previously used as a FMD pit.
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Defra has made no assessment of the potential impacts of extreme weather on small farms. The Government has allocated £11.8bn to sustainable farming and food production over this parliament, including £5.9bn for environmental farming schemes. Defra is focusing efforts on actions with…
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Defra modelling shows consumer food prices are driven by domestic farmgate prices, agricultural and food import prices, exchange rates and manufacturing costs. ONS input producer price inflation rates for domestic and imported food inputs were 2.1% and 1.2% respectively in January 2026. This…
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In preparation for the recent consultation on laying hen cage reform, the Government carried out a general assessment of the potential impact of the proposed reforms to laying hen welfare policy on the competitiveness and viability of UK egg producers and, as part of the consultation, sought views…
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Defra officials have engaged with the aviculture and caged bird sector, including regional bird clubs and other avicultural organisations, via stakeholder forums and individual discussions as appropriate to understand the impacts of the changes in bird gathering licences on their activities. The…
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As part of the Animal Welfare Strategy, which was published on 22 December 2025, the Government will take steps to improve our understanding of the size, scale and current management practices related to cat breeding, drawing on expertise from the sector, and consider any further steps which may…
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Defra intends to publish the consultation as soon as practicable.
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In 2025, there were 14 inspections of game bird farms in England and 3 in Wales. There were no non-compliances noted in relation to the birds’ housing or environment.
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The Government has set out in the recently published Animal Welfare Strategy that it will encourage the egg industry to move away from the practice of killing day-old chicks. The Government will discuss with them a roadmap to reach the objective of ending male chick culling.
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Between January 2025 to December 2025, there were 45,295 Sustainable Farming Incentive Agreements. 863 of these agreements had an annual value of over £100,000, which is 1.91% of the overall agreements.
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The planned consultation on the Trail Hunting ban will invite respondents to raise any matters which they consider relevant. The consultation will provide an opportunity to submit your views on how to deliver an effective ban.
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Compensation is paid by Defra for animals culled by the Government for disease control purposes in England, as set out in the Animal Health Act 1981. The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) makes its assessment of the disease status of the birds based on clinical inspection and veterinary…
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The Government is committed to the horticulture sector and its role in providing fresh, home‑grown produce that helps feed the nation. The sector’s needs are being addressed through steps we are taking to support increased domestic production. Building on this work, the Secretary of…
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Defra is actively monitoring the impact of diesel price changes on our fishing sector. The Government has raised industry concerns about red diesel prices, including price transparency, with the Competition and Markets Authority and we are committed to ensuring that this market functions fairly.
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The Government is currently negotiating a Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement to make agrifood trade with our biggest market cheaper and easier, cutting costs and regulatory barriers for British producers and retailers. The details of this are subject to negotiation, but the Government has…
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During international emergencies Defra officials work closely with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) to coordinate policy and manage live operational issues, including in relation to emergency pet movements.
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All food sold on the UK market, including that which is imported, must comply with UK food labelling rules. The fundamental principle of the UK’s food labelling rules is that information provided to the consumer must not mislead and must enable the safe use of food. Under existing rules, food…
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The Government strongly supports the benefits co-operatives can bring in buying inputs, coordinating production, and selling outputs, and recognises the important role they play in promoting sustainable farming. The Government is developing the new Farmer Collaboration Fund to unlock broader…
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The Government knows that many consumers value the opportunity to buy British and support their local food economy The Farming Profitability Review points to areas where additional assurance schemes and refreshed voluntary principles could add value. The Government remains committed to upholding…
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Baroness Hayman of Ullock was appointed Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs with responsibility for animal welfare for England.
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The Animal Welfare Strategy was published on 22 December 2025 and sets out thepriorities for animal welfare for England. It is a comprehensive set of reforms which will improve the lives of millions of animals. As set out in the strategy, the Government’s priority is to improve…
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The Government has allocated a record £11.8 billion to sustainable farming and food production over this parliament. Defra has set out how it plans to spend this budget on its farming blog here and here. Landscape Recovery is part of the Environmental Land Management offer. Projects run over…
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Defra recognises that accidental bycatch in fisheries is one of the greatest threats faced by sensitive marine species such as seabirds. To tackle this, Defra funds numerous programmes and projects including: Clean Catch, which is carrying out a seabird bycatch monitoring and mitigation trial in…
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Animal health and welfare is a devolved matter. For England, the information requested is not held centrally.
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Defra is continuing to develop a withdrawal scheme so that owners who no longer believe that their dog is an XL Bully type can apply to have their certificate of exemption withdrawn. Defra does not have a definitive timeline for when this process will be available. Officials are working diligently…
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As set out in the Government’s Animal Welfare Strategy, Defra will publish the results of the previous government’s call for evidence on the fur trade and publish and consider carefully the report from our independent expert Animal Welfare Committee on the responsible sourcing of fur.…
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As set out in the animal welfare strategy, Defra will bring together a working group on fur, with involvement from both industry experts and those who support restrictions on the trade in fur to explore concerns and the different ways in which they could be addressed. The primary focus of the group…
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In the 2025 scheme year a total of 4,894 farm businesses received at least one payment for buffer strip actions delivered under the Sustainable Farming Incentive scheme.
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The Poultry Biosecurity Review uses funds allocated to farmers in England only. As agriculture is devolved, it will be for the Scottish Government to allocate any funding to farmers in Scotland. Overall, the spending review settlement for the Scottish Government is the largest settlement in real…
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The Government is continuing to develop a withdrawal scheme so that owners who no longer believe that their dog is an XL Bully type can apply to have their certificate of exemption withdrawn.The Government does not have a definitive timeline for when this process will be available. Officials are…
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Defra officials engage regularly with officials in the Welsh Government on a range of animal welfare issues.
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The welfare of racing greyhounds in England is covered by the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and the Welfare of Racing Greyhounds Regulations 2010 (the 2010 Regulations). The 2010 Regulations include a number of welfare requirements, such as requiring all greyhound tracks to have a veterinary surgeon in…
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The Animal Welfare strategy published in December 2025 sets out Government priorities until 2030. The Government currently has no plans to ban greyhound racing. While the Government recognises the concerns some people have about greyhound racing, there is legislation in place to protect the welfare…
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Defra has engaged over 30 stakeholder organisations on the policy design of the SFI26 offer. This engagement included farmer representatives such as the National Farmers Union and the Tenant Farmers Association, ensuring the views of smaller farm businesses were fully considered. Defra has utilised…
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The Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) does not include a break clause.
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SFI includes a number of actions to support rivers, such as BFS6 (“6m to 12m habitat strip next to watercourses”). The Government is also supporting river restoration through Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT), Landscape Recovery (LR), and ELM Capital Grants: CSHT provides a…
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Defra recognises the valuable addition industrial hemp can provide to farmers when planning their crop rotation. The responsibility for the regulation of industrial hemp and licencing for cannabis cultivation in the UK lies with the Home Office. After further consultation with the industry the Home…
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The Tenant Farmers Association (TFA) raised the important matter of compensation for tenant farmers when they recently met with me, one in a series of regular meetings. The Secretary of State is also due to meet with the TFA, providing another opportunity for this issue to be discussed.
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I refer the hon. Member to the reply previously given to the hon. Member for Slough, on 26 February to PQ UIN 114064.
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UK self-sufficiency has remained broadly stable for several decades. In 2024, the UK was 65% self-sufficient for all food; 77% for food that can be produced here. In most scenarios, strong domestic production and imports through stable trade routes ensure food supply is maintained and can withstand…
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The Government has carried out an assessment and, as part of the recent consultation on laying hen cage reform, sought views on that assessment. The consultation also sought additional evidence on how the proposals will affect egg production costs and current levels of imports and exports. We are…
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The UK has a resilient food supply chain and is equipped to deal with situations with the potential to cause disruption. Food security is built on supply from diverse sources, strong domestic production as well as imports through stable trade routes. Whilst the UK has a high degree of food…
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An initial response to the public consultation is due to be published in April, followed by a full report on the consultation in late summer 2026. This report will include all formal responses to the consultation, and the names of the organisations that responded.
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The purpose of streamlining the offer is not to reduce overall support for the sector, but to ensure funding is focused on actions that deliver the greatest value for food production and the environment. The SFI26 offer includes 71 actions rather than 102, reflecting the removal of options that had…
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Between January 2025 to December 2025, there were 19,824 SFI 24 Agreements. 663 of these agreements included the GRH6 action, which is 3.34% of the overall agreements.
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From January 2025 to December 2025, there were 45,295 SFI Agreements. 6,439 of these had an agreement value of over £100,000 for the full 3-year lifetime of the agreement, which is 14.22% of the overall agreements.
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GS4 is not an action under SFI. It is a Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier action, and is unaffected by the Government’s announced reforms to SFI.
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The number of confirmed Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) cases in Great Britain for each calendar year between January 2021 and January 2026 is shown in the following table. Year HPAI cases20217420222372023572024172025138202612
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UK self-sufficiency has remained broadly stable for several decades. In 2024, the UK was 65% self-sufficient for all food; 77% for food that can be produced here. In most scenarios, strong domestic production as well as imports through stable trade routes ensures a supply of food is maintained and…
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The Government shares the British public's high regard for animal welfare and has made clear that the production of foie gras from ducks or geese using force feeding raises serious welfare concerns. Foie gras production using force feeding has been banned in the UK for nearly 20 years as it is not…
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The Resilience Action Plan sets out the Government’s strategic approach to how we will strengthen our domestic resilience and invest to protect the nation. Defra officials regularly attend meetings to discuss the implementation of the Resilience Action Plan as well as matters of national…
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The Fisheries and Seafood Scheme is an established scheme that is popular with stakeholders in England –and will enable us to deliver funding as soon as possible. Using this scheme will maximise the level of support available to the fishing and seafood sector in the first year of the Fishing…
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The Defra Secretary of State, Fisheries Minister and Defra officials engage regularly with representatives from across the UK fishing sector. This includes engagement on the implementation of the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement, including (but not limited to) the fisheries access deal agreed…
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Protecting and restoring fish stocks is a priority for this Government. The Government is delivering Fisheries Management Plans (FMPs), which set out the actions needed to manage or rebuild stocks to sustainable levels. These plans are central to meeting the commitments in the Joint Fisheries…
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Defra has laid out plans to implement REM in five priority fisheries in English waters, including pelagic trawls, over 24m, operating in English waters. This fishery includes pelagic freezer trawlers over 100m. The fisheries were selected via an evidence review. The pelagic fishery was selected as…
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I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 21 January 2026 to the hon. Member for Mid Dorset and North Poole, PQ UIN 105878.
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I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 4 March 2026 to the hon. Member for York Central, PQ UIN 116174.
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Pets leaving Great Britain must comply with the relevant requirements as determined by the country of destination. Defra always advises pet owners to consult with the relevant authorities in the country of destination if any pet travel requirements for movements from Great Britain are unclear.…
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I refer the hon. Member to the reply previously given to the hon. Member for Slough, on 26 February 2026 to PQ UIN 114064.
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All directors with responsibility for human resources hold MCIPD and FCIPD qualifications. The number of directors is not releasable due to privacy protections.
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I refer the hon. Member to the response given on 3 March 2026 to the hon. Member for Folkestone and Hythe on to PQ UIN 114322.
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In March, following a successful procurement, the Government awarded a contract to establish a new badger vaccination field force. Vaccination is already being carried out by APHA field teams in several areas and through a community‑led programme in East Sussex, demonstrating that…
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The fertiliser market is a global one, and the market price in the UK is strongly influenced by international prices for fertiliser and by the value of the pound. We are aware of the current price increase for fertiliser due to the conflict in the Gulf. We are in close contact with domestic…
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The UK dairy industry is a resilient and dynamic sector operating in an open market where profit margins are established by the interaction of those in supply chains including farmers, processors, wholesalers, retailers, and consumers. Defra does not collect or hold information on profit margins…
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The Government is considering how we can support voluntary efforts to move away from the use of fast-growing meat chicken breeds. The Government welcomes the fact that those supermarkets who made Better Chicken Commitment pledges have fulfilled them, but it is disappointing to hear of the decision…
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The Animal Welfare Strategy was published on 22 December 2025 and sets out our priorities for animal welfare for England. It is a comprehensive set of reforms which will improve the lives of millions of animals.In the Strategy the Government has committed to take steps to improve the uptake of the…
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The Animal Welfare Strategy sets out the UK Government’s priorities for England and is a comprehensive set of reforms which will improve the lives of millions of animals. The Government continues to engage with businesses, consumer groups and charities to gather evidence on the…
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The department has made no such assessments.
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Civil Service recruitment must follow the rules set out in legislation within the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act (CRaGA) 2010, which outlines the requirements to ensure that civil servants are recruited on merit, via fair and open competition. Compliance with CRaGA is overseen by the…
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The department has made no such assessment.
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In its first year the Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund will be delivered in England through the Fisheries and Seafood Scheme. We expect the scheme to open in April and will publish details on eligibility, application and assessment processes at the time of launch. Future updates to the Fisheries and…
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I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 14 January 2026 to the hon. Member Shaun Davies for Telford, PQ UIN 103925.
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The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) are the lead Department for wildfire. Defra work closely with MHCLG and support Natural England (NE) in delivering their responsibilities. This includes the recently published EIP commitment that by 2030 NE will conduct research on…
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Consumer food prices are shaped by a variety of factors, such as agri-food import prices, domestic agricultural prices, domestic labour and manufacturing costs, and Sterling exchange rates. Several of these factors are affected by the UK's trading arrangements with other countries, including the…
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The Marine Management Organisation is following a four-stage process to consider necessary fisheries byelaws in our MPAs. Stages one and two are complete. A consultation on stage three which proposes further restrictions on bottom trawling in offshore MPAs closed on 29 September. The Marine…
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The Border Target Operating Model Impact Assessment frames economic analysis around business costs/benefits, check rates, and biosecurity risk. It does not model or quantify changes in food import volumes attributable to the post‑2020/BTOM border processes. Defra publishes statistics on…
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The Border Target Operating Model Impact Assessment frames economic analysis around business costs/benefits, check rates, and biosecurity risk. It does not model or quantify changes in food import volumes attributable to the post‑2020/BTOM border processes. Defra publishes statistics on…
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The UK has a proud tradition of wool production going back many centuries. British Wool is an independent public body who work on behalf of the wool industry to promote the use of British wool. As a natural, versatile, and durable textile, which is renewable, biodegradable, and environmentally…
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The Government recognises the importance of transparency and fairness in the dairy supply chain, so that farmers and other suppliers are able to make informed decisions and receive a fair return for their produce. The Fair Dealing Obligations (Milk) Regulations 2024, which has applied to all milk…
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The total investment announced in the Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund was £360m over 12 years. The fund has been devolved with funding allocated using the Barnett formula. In the 2026-27 financial year, £22.6 million is allocated to England.
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This Government has allocated a record £11.8 billion to sustainable farming and food production over this parliament, including £5.9 billion for environmental farming schemes. The Government is focusing efforts on actions that have multiple benefits: for example, improving soil health so…
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The Government recognises the essential service that rescue and rehoming centres provide, often on a voluntary basis, to animals, including those that have suffered from mutilation. Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, it is illegal to carry out a non-exempted mutilation such as the cropping of a…
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Farmers need evidence of the benefits and returns from investing in innovation and technology, as well as access to finance. That is why Defra is committing £30m to Accelerating Development of Practices and Technologies (ADOPT) funding competitions from FY26/27, as announced at the NFU…
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Twelve projects in Buckinghamshire delivered by nine organisations have been awarded a total of £2.4 million to date through the Farming Innovation Programme. Further information on this is not within Defra's remit and therefore the department would recommend reaching out to the Department for…
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The Food Sector is one of the UK's 13 Critical National Infrastructure sectors. Defra and the Food Standards Agency (FSA) are joint Lead Government Departments (LGDs), with Defra leading on supply and the FSA on food safety. Defra works closely with the Cabinet Office and other LGDs ensuring food…
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The UK has a resilient food supply chain that is well equipped to deal with situations that have the potential to cause disruption. Defra works closely with industry and across Government to identify and monitor risks to food supply. In compliance with the Agriculture Act 2020, the United Kingdom…
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This Government allocated a record £11.8bn to sustainable farming and food production over this parliament. It is targeting public money where it delivers most value – supporting nature, because all farms need healthy soils, abundant pollinators, and clean water to produce good food. The…
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The proportion of UK food consumption that is domestically produced is shown in the below table, for the latest available years. This information is published annually in Defra’s Agriculture in the UK report. 2020202120222023202454%58%58%58%57%
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The UK aims to maintain high standards on the information that is provided on food labels. All food sold on the UK market must comply with food labelling rules, which include the requirement for the name and address of the food business operator that is responsible for the food. Food origin…
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The Government is committed to enacting a ban on trail hunting, in line with its manifesto commitment. Defra will consult early this year on how to deliver a ban. All responses to the consultation will be considered carefully.
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Officials from the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) regularly attend meetings to discuss matters of national security, defence and resilience as well as the associated public communications required to deliver these lines of efforts. The conversation on National Defence was…
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I refer the hon Member to the reply previously given to her on 4 March 2026 to PQ UIN 115407.
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The Farming Equipment and Technology Fund, Farming Innovation Programme, the new round of Environmental Land Management Capital Grants, the Farming Collaboration Fund, and the Poultry Support Grant will be funded from Defra’s Spending Review 2025 settlement. Spending Review 2025 also set…
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In February last year, Defra recognised that Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) payment rates had fallen behind the rates offered through other schemes including Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT). Defra invested £30 million to increase payment rates so farmers in HLS agreements can…
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The Government has carried out an assessment of the proposal to ban the keeping of laying hens, pullets in enriched colony cages and, as part of the consultation on laying hen cage reform, is seeking views on that assessment. The consultation also seeks additional evidence on how the proposals will…
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I refer the hon. Member to the reply previously given to the hon. Member for Slough on 26 February 2026 to PQ UIN 114064.
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The Animal Welfare strategy sets out Government priorities until 2030. Policies will be delivered throughout this time. Next steps on the consultation will be announced in due course.
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A review of the harmonised standard for ethnicity data collection is underway by the Government Statistical Service Harmonisation team. A public consultation between October 2025 and February 2026 sought views from a wide range of users, including Government Departments and public bodies, to…
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The Government is committed to the horticulture sector and its role in providing fresh home‑grown produce that helps to feed the nation. In December 2025, the Secretary of State announced the Farming & Food Partnership Board in response to the independent Farming Profitability Review led by…
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The requested data is not held centrally in a reportable format.
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Defra does not plan to make an assessment on the impact of Waitrose’s withdrawal of mackerel from sale as this is an individual business decision. The UK mackerel supply goes to a diverse set of markets both in the UK and abroad and we do not expect this to have a significant impact on the…
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The Government has reconvened the Responsible Dog Ownership taskforce to explore measures to promote responsible dog ownership across all breeds of dog. The taskforce is considering four themes: educating the public on how to stay safe around dogs, training for both dogs and their owners,…
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The Government recognises the economic and cultural importance of geographical indications (GIs) and remains committed to ensuring their continued protection. The family of UK produced GIs already includes beer - Kentish Ale, Kentish Strong Ale, and Rutland Bitter, in addition to East Kent…
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Defra has not completed an impact assessment regarding the proposed closure of Sharp’s brewery. Molson Coors are conducting a consultation process on this proposed closure, and no further decisions will be made until this has finished. The department remains in regular contact with Molson…
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The Government has carried out an assessment and, as part of the consultation on laying hen cage reform, is seeking views on that assessment. The consultation also seeks additional evidence on how the proposals will affect egg production costs and current levels of imports and exports. As set out…
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As of 31 January 2026, a total of 825 out of 6,346 Defra payroll employees are recorded as “Home Based”, equating to 13%. Contractual homeworking is generally granted only in exceptional circumstances, such as where it is required for the role or as a reasonable adjustment, and each…
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The Department has made no assessment of the likelihood of fox hunts exploiting the Falconry exemption to hunt mammals with hounds.
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The UK Government is prepared to respond to outbreaks of Foot and Mouth and has contingency arrangements in place, including for the control of infected premises and for animal movement controls in areas around confirmed cases. Vaccination is not the primary control tool. The framework to manage…
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In line with the commitments the Government has made under the Windsor Framework, construction of SPS Inspection Facilities at Belfast, Larne, Foyle, and Warrenpoint are in place and these facilities are operational. Remaining works at the 2 March were limited to minor snagging and commissioning…
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Since the introduction of compulsory dog microchipping in 2016, the number of compliant database operators has increased from four to 24. While this gives consumers more choice, it has made it harder for authorised users to access records quickly. Defra is working with the Association of Microchip…
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Defra is unable to confirm the position at a UK level as fisheries protection is a devolved matter. The Marine Management Organisation is responsible for regulating and enforcing fisheries activity in English waters. Its two dedicated Offshore Patrol Vessels maintain a near-continuous presence at…
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The Government draws on independent scientific assessments from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) to understand the status of the North East Atlantic mackerel stock. The latest ICES assessment highlights increased uncertainty and pressure on the stock, underlining the…
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Payment for completion of feasibility studies can be claimed as soon as the work has been completed. The PA2 grant funds 100% of the costs of completing the study and so farmers and land managers will receive payments back for all costs incurred.
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As the Secretary of State set out at the NFU Conference, the first meeting of the new Farming and Food Partnership Board will take place in March. This represents a reset of the relationship between government and the farming and food sectors, and will develop sector plans, which target growth. All…
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Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) customers can submit a request to end their existing agreement at any time during the calendar year, but they may need to repay any money received. Defra will work with customers whose HLS agreements will expire over the next 2-3 years to support them to continue…
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Defra expects to increase both the numbers of farmers and land managers coming into the scheme and related spend on the Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier scheme over the course of the coming year. The scale of ambition for the number of agreements in this first phase remains unchanged. To support…
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Ministers and officials meet regularly with representatives of the farming sector. As the Secretary of State set out at the NFU Conference, the first meeting of the new Farming and Food Partnership Board will take place in March. This represents a reset of the relationship between government and…
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Through the UK-US Economic Prosperity Deal (EPD) negotiations, the UK has agreed preferential trading terms with the US in a range of sectors. This includes an exclusive reciprocal 13,000 tonne quota for beef. The quota is now open and worth up to £70 million a year if fully utilised. Hormone…
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I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 21 January 2026 to the hon. Member for Mid Dorset and North Poole, PQ UIN 105878.
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The Department remains firmly committed to maintaining and improving animal welfare and want to continue working closely with all stakeholders to deliver high standards.
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As set out in the animal welfare strategy, the Government remains committed to supporting a move away from the use of fast-growing breeds of meat chickens. The Government welcome the fact that those supermarkets who made Better Chicken Commitment pledges have fulfilled them, but it is disappointing…
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The welfare implications of fast-growing breeds of meat chickens was considered as part of the Defra funded Systematic Review of Evidence on Livestock Breeding conducted by Queen’s University Belfast. The Government also commissioned the Animal Welfare Committee to conduct a review of…
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The Good Food Cycle, published in July 2025, identifies 10 priority outcomes across themes of healthier food, sustainability, food security, affordability and inequality, and good growth. Defra leads on coordination across government on the Good Food Cycle outcomes. Defra officials and Ministers…
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The Secretary of State has regular discussions with officials, external experts and ministerial colleagues on a range of issues, including national security, defence and resilience. The Home Defence Programme was established in August 2024 to build the UK’s resilience to any potential…
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Imports supplement domestic production and ensure any disruption from risks such as adverse weather or disease do not affect the UK's overall security of food supply. The UK agricultural sector is highly resilient and adaptable and operates in an open market where the value of commodities is…
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Defra banned personal imports of pig and ruminant meat and dairy products from the EU into England in April 2025. The ban remains in place. Equivalent measures are in place in Wales and Scotland.
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Following the Government’s announcement on 20 February 2026, commercial import restrictions were applied to high-risk FMD-susceptible commodities, including live animals, germplasm, fresh meat, untreated meat products, untreated milk and dairy, hay and straw, and relevant animal by-products.…
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There have been no imports of live ruminant or porcine animals from Cyprus to Great Britain in the past five years. Recorded trade in this time frame consisted of certain products of animal origin derived from FMD-susceptible species, such as pasteurised cheese and other heat-treated dairy…
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Defra’s preliminary outbreak assessment for foot and mouth disease (FMD) in Cyprus concludes that the risk of introduction of the disease into Great Britain remains low.
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We have set out our expectation that all duty bearers, including Departments and arm’s-length bodies, follow the law as clarified by the Supreme Court ruling and seek specialist legal advice where necessary. The Prime Minister has underlined this recently. The Equality and Human Rights…
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The Government is committed to enacting a ban on trail hunting, in line with its manifesto commitment. Defra will consult early this year on how to deliver a ban. All responses to the consultation will be considered carefully.
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Defra publishes the triennial UK Food Security Report, which contains data on household food security including accessibility, affordability and dietary patterns. The next report will be published in 2027. In the intervening years, the UK Food Security Digest also covers household food security in…
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Defra has not undertaken an assessment. The right to food is not codified in UK domestic law, but the UK continues to recognise economic, social and cultural rights as defined in the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and the Government remains committed to fulfilling…
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Defra has not assessed the implications of emergency food provision for fulfilment of a right to food. The Government is committed to tackling poverty and ending mass dependence on emergency food parcels. From 1 April 2026, The Government is introducing a new Crisis and Resilience Fund in England.…
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Food price inflation is part of a wider challenge on cost of living and the Government’s approach goes beyond tackling food alone. The Government is working to address the cost-of-living pressures facing families across the country through targeted measures including raising the minimum wage,…
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No, as agriculture is devolved, it will be for the Scottish Government to allocate any funding to farmers in Scotland. The Sustainable Farming Incentive uses funds allocated to farmers in England only.
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The final report for the CMA’s market investigation is due in Spring 2026. Defra aims to respond to this within 90 days of its release.
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Stewardship payments through Environmental and Countryside Stewardship help support restoration of nature and ensure habitats are resilient including on upland commons. Through the recently published Environmental Improvement Plan, the Government is committed to improving these sites with a target…
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The Government recognises the increased costs incurred by people with coeliac disease because they must buy gluten-free options, which are often more expensive. The current position in England that gluten-free bread and mixes can be provided to coeliac patients on NHS prescription, based on a…
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I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Putney, Fleur Anderson, on 29 January 2026, PQ UIN 106592.
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Defra engages regularly with all relevant stakeholders in the farming and food industry on a range of topical matters, including food labelling. Defra also engages regularly with other interested stakeholders, such as animal welfare NGOs, on matters relating to farm animal welfare. As set out in…
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As stated in the recently published Animal Welfare Strategy the Government would like to see an end to the practice of killing day-old chicks and we will be working with the UK egg industry to this end. The Government welcomes industry’s interest in the development of day zero sexing…
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As announced at the UK-EU Leaders' Summit on May 19, the UK and EU have agreed to work towards a common Sanitary and Phytosanitary Area. The details of these are subject to negotiation, but the Government has been clear about the importance of being able to set high animal welfare standards. While…
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I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 21 January 2026 to the hon. Member for Mid Dorset and North Poole, PQ UIN 105878.
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Total Allowable Catches (TACs) are set through a process bringing together science, economics, stakeholder input, and discards information. For most TACs, scientific bodies, e.g. the International Committee for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), provide scientific advice on how much fish can be…
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In England, the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has issued a total of 34 infraction notices for illegal discarding or for incorrectly recording discards in logbooks in the years 2023-2026. Information on infraction notices or inspection activity undertaken by the Scottish, Welsh, or Northern…
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As set out in the animal welfare strategy, the Government remains committed to supporting a move away from the use of fast-growing breeds of meat chickens. The Government welcomes the fact that those supermarkets who made Better Chicken Commitment pledges have fulfilled them, but it is…
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Marine mammal bycatch is required to be reported under the Marine Mammal Protection Act to continue to export fisheries products to the United States (US), and to assist conservation efforts in mitigating marine mammal bycatch. According to the Marine Management Organisation, fishermen made a total…
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The Government is committed to ensuring that UK consumers are not misled about the origin of the food they purchase. In accordance with assimilated EU Regulation 1169/2011 on the provision of food information to consumers, food labelling must not be misleading, including in relation to the origin…
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The Government is committed to maintaining or restoring our stocks to sustainable levels and supporting the long-term viability of the UK fishing industry. This aligns with our domestic and international obligations, including those of the Fisheries Act 2020 and Joint Fisheries Statement. We work…
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Defra has published annual reports from the Centre for Environment, Fisheries, and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) setting out the number of Total Allowable Catches of internationally shared stocks that follow scientific advice for UK fishing opportunities since 2020. Defra will continue to track and…
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The Movement Assistance Scheme (MAS) was always intended to be time limited. It was originally scheduled to close in December 2023. The decision to extend MAS until June 2025 was made public on 10th October 2023 and there was never a suggestion it would extend beyond this date. However, the…
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The Government remains committed to ensuring that at least half of public sector food is locally sourced or meets higher environmental standards within legal constraints. There is limited existing data about the origin and sustainability of food in the public sector supply chain and the data…
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The Government takes all wildlife crime seriously, including offences linked to gamebird shooting. There are strong penalties in place for offences committed against wild animals. Most of these crimes incur a penalty of an unlimited fine and/or up to a six-month custodial sentence.Defra is a…
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Defra recognises the importance that shearing sheep plays in managing the health and welfare of around 30m sheep in the UK flock, and the continued challenges that the industry faces each year in sourcing sufficient numbers of trained shearers. The department is also aware of the role that shearers…
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I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 26 February 2026 to PQ UIN 114509.
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The consultation on reform of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 opened on 28 January and is due to close on 25 March. The Government is committed to responding within 12 weeks of a consultation closing. Defra are looking at bringing in new legislation, when Parliamentary time allows.
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