Written questions by McMurdock.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of food labelling requirements.

The UK maintains high standards on the information that is provided on food labels so that consumers can have confidence in the food that they buy. All food sold on the UK market must comply with food labelling rules, which include the requirement for specific information to be presented in a specific way. In June 2025, Defra published the summary of responses and government response to the fairer food labelling consultation, which was undertaken last year under the previous government. The response is available on GOV.UK. Defra is committed to engaging with stakeholders on improving transparency and ensuring consumer trust in labelling.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 18 July 2025 to Question 66600 on Slingshots: Regulation, what steps her Department is taking to strengthen the laws to protect wildlife from attacks with (a) catapults and (b) slingshots.

The Government takes crimes against wildlife seriously, including those involving the use of catapults and slingshots. Although these are not listed as prohibited weapons in the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, within this legislation, as well as the Wild Mammals (Protection) Act 1996 and the Animal Welfare Act 2006, there are a range of offences around deliberate attempts to kill, injure or inflict harm on wildlife. The Government believes that there is already sufficient legislation in place which protects wildlife from targeted use of catapults. Defra therefore has no current plans for legislative change. However, Defra recognises that the misuse of catapults is causing great concern to some communities. We are working with the Home Office to find solutions to this problem with the aim of increasing protection to our wildlife from crimes involving these weapons.

Food and Rural Affairs, what plans she has to ensure that planning and infrastructure projects are consistent with the (a) priorities and (b) targets set out in local nature recovery strategies.

Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS) set out nature recovery priorities for their area and where action could best be taken on the ground to achieve those priorities. All public authorities must “have regard” to LNRSs and Planning Practice Guidance has been updated to set out how Local Planning Authorities should use LNRSs when preparing local plans and in decision making. A new requirement for all tiers of planning to “take account” of LNRSs is expected to come into effect.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to ensure that local nature recovery strategies are (a) implemented in full and (b) that their targets are monitored.

Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS) are strategies whose primary purpose is to identify where action for nature recovery and wider environmental improvement would be more effective. Defra will work closely with responsible authorities to deliver priority actions identified by LNRS. Landowners and managers are being encouraged to carry out proposed actions within an LNRS. Actions that have been taken will be reported when each LNRS is reviewed and republished. This will ensure that LNRS remain up to date and effective in helping nature to recover.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of pylon infrastructure along the Norwich-Tilbury coastline on (a) protected coastline habitats, (b) birdlife and (c) other species of special conservation interest.

Due to the role of ministers in the planning system, we are unable to comment on individual planning applications. Any project must comply with all relevant regulations, including the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 which protect designated habitats and species. Depending on a project’s size, location in a sensitive area, or potential impact the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations may also apply. Decision makers will also consider whether to grant consent of individual planning applications in line with relevant planning policies. Such policies are themselves subject to a strategic environmental assessment which includes consideration of biodiversity at a broader level.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to ensure that nature recovery projects support (a) biodiversity and (b) community wellbeing in Essex.

Essex is particularly rich in nature, from ancient woodland to nature-rich farmland to wild coastal marshes. Seven National Nature Reserves and numerous designated sites provide statutory protection that underpins rich biodiversity. Essex County Council, as one of 48 Responsible Authorities supported by Natural England, was one of the first areas to publish its Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) earlier this year. The Essex LNRS sets out local priorities for nature's recovery and identifies where action could best be taken to achieve those priorities. It aims to target investment to restoring and connecting habitats, and integrate nature into planning. It will guide coordinated action not just for nature, but for flood resilience, climate adaptation and urban greenspace to build better places for people. The Essex coast is internationally important for birdlife, rare plants, insects and marine wildlife. The vast majority of this long coast is protected for its special value for nature under a range of different statutory designations. In the Blackwater estuary a Natural Flood Management Project delivered by Harwich Haven, Essex Wildlife Trust and the RSPB is using dredged material as bunds to protect homes from coastal erosion while providing new habitat for birds. Transforming the Thames is a partnership of industry, government, nature groups and landowners, working to restore the fragmented and damaged wildlife habitats of the wider Thames Estuary. The City of Southend-on-Sea along with regional partners, is working with local communities across Thurrock to develop Nature Based Solutions to drought, flooding and coastal erosion: Catchment to Coast. This is just a small selection of initiatives which are strengthening Essex’s natural environment while creating healthier, and more resilient communities.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether she plans to review regulations under the Animal (Low Welfare Activities Abroad) Act 2023.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply previously given to the hon. Member for South Cambridgeshire, Pippa Heylings on 23 September 2025 PQ UIN 73101.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 2 September 2025 to Question 69569 on Grasslands: Conservation, when she plans to start the review of irreplaceable habitats.

The Government intends to review the definition of irreplaceable habitats in due course, to ensure it remains robust.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of the impact of electric shock collars on the welfare of livestock.

All livestock are protected by comprehensive and robust animal health and welfare legislation: the Animal Welfare Act 2006 makes it an offence either to cause any captive animal unnecessary suffering or to fail to provide for the welfare needs of the animal; and The Welfare of Farmed Animals (England) Regulations 2007 set down detailed requirements on how farmed livestock should be kept. Defra also has a series of statutory species-specific welfare codes, which farmers are required by law to have access to and be familiar with, which encourage high standards of husbandry. We have considered the Animal Welfare Committee’s opinion on the welfare implications of using virtual fencing systems on livestock, where livestock are fitted with electronic collars as part of a system for containing, monitoring and moving livestock. We are taking account of the Committee’s advice and plan to revise the Code of Practice for the welfare of cattle accordingly.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has undertaken recent research on the potential merits of opening desalination plants to help ensure the resilience of the domestic water supply.

Water companies are responsible for researching and selecting the best value water supply options to sustainably secure water supplies for their customers. Government and regulators require water companies to consider desalination alongside all other water supply and demand management options to meet future water needs, which could amount to an additional 5 billion litres per day by 2055. The latest water company Water Resources Management Plans (WRMPs) contain proposals for 9 new desalination plants. A list of significant water resources infrastructure projects that water companies propose in their WRMPs, including the desalination plants, is available on GOV.UK.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment has been made of the potential impact of smoke emissions from Battery Energy Storage Systems fires on (a) the environment and (b) public health.

The Government agrees with the need to have robust measures in place to manage the risks associated with facilities that use large numbers of lithium-ion batteries. DEFRA will consult shortly on including grid-scale BESS as an activity within environmental permitting to manage the environmental and public health risks from fires at BESS sites.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of trends in the level of animal (a) abuse and (b) neglect.

Defra regularly meets the RSPCA and other stakeholders to discuss animal welfare issues affecting the sector including any trends in animal welfare offences. Causing unnecessary suffering to an animal is an offence under section 4 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006. In 2021, the maximum sentence for this offence was increased to five years imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine. Sentencing decisions in individual cases are entirely a matter for our independent courts. The Sentencing Council have issued guidelines on animal cruelty which are available on its website at: https://www.sentencingcouncil.org.uk/offences/crown-court/item/animal-cruelty/.

Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate he has made of the number of stray dogs being euthanised in the latest period for which figures are available.

The Department does not collect data on the euthanasia of stray dogs.The obligations for dealing with stray dogs are laid down in the Environmental Protection Act 1990, and the responsibility for implementing these obligations lies with each local authority.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to ensure animal shelters are (a) appropriately registered and (b) operating ethically.

Rescue and rehoming establishments in England must comply with statutory welfare requirements set out in the Animal Welfare Act 2006. Defra engages regularly with stakeholders across the animal welfare sector, including on issues relating to rescue and rehoming practices.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that dogs being cared for by (a) charity and (b) rescue centres are (i) spayed, (ii) neutered and (iii) microchipped.

Defra engages regularly with a range of stakeholders across the animal welfare and charity sectors, including on issues relating to rescue and rehoming practices. Under the Microchipping of Cats and Dogs (England) Regulations 2023, it is a requirement for all dogs to be microchipped by the time they are eight weeks old.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of granting permissions for shelters to allow the public to adopt stray dogs as a means to reduce the number being euthanised.

The Environmental Protection Act 1990, sets out a minimum hold period of seven days for stray dogs that are brought into shelters. After this time if the owner has not been identified, the dog may be rehomed or humanely euthanised. Under the Act, local authorities have powers in certain circumstances to transfer stray dogs to rehoming centres.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of regulations on dog breeding licenses.

We know climate change presents challenges to the agricultural sector. The government is offering a New Deal for Farmers to help address this. We are providing farmers and land managers with the support needed to help restore nature, which is vital to safeguard our long-term food security and build resilience to climate change. In the recent spending review we committed to carrying on the transition towards paying to deliver public goods for the environment, with over £7 billion directed into nature’s recovery between 2026 and 2029. This includes environmental farming schemes (£5.9 billion), tree planting (£816 million) and peatland restoration (£85 million). To address the impacts of flooding on farmers and rural communities, we will be investing £4.2 billion over three years in flood defences across the country – an average of £1.4bn each year and a 5% increase compared to the current spending review period

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of creating a registration system for pet dogs.

We have no plans currently to introduce a registration system for pet dogs. Since 2016, all dogs over eight weeks old must be microchipped and registered with a compliant database. A separate registration system for pet dogs is therefore not necessary.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of custodial sentences for perpetrators of (a) animal abuse and (b) animal neglect.

Defra regularly meets the RSPCA and other stakeholders to discuss animal welfare issues affecting the sector including any trends in animal welfare offences. Causing unnecessary suffering to an animal is an offence under section 4 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006. In 2021, the maximum sentence for this offence was increased to five years imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine. Sentencing decisions in individual cases are entirely a matter for our independent courts. The Sentencing Council have issued guidelines on animal cruelty which are available on its website at: https://www.sentencingcouncil.org.uk/offences/crown-court/item/animal-cruelty/.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to provide long-term protections for badger populations.

The Protection of Badgers Act 1992 prohibits the deliberate killing, injuring or capturing of a wild badger and any interfering with badger setts; and The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 prohibits certain methods of control. Additionally, badger persecution is one of the seven UK wildlife crime priorities, and a UK Badger Persecution Priority Delivery Group is in place. This is police led and comprises a range of members including Defra who meet regularly to tackle offences such as badger baiting which is rightly illegal in this country. The government’s view is that anyone found guilty of these offences should be subject to the full force of the law. We have also started work on a comprehensive new bovine TB eradication strategy to drive down TB rates to save cattle and farmers’ livelihoods and to end the badger cull by the end of this parliament. As part of this, we have launched the first badger population survey in over a decade to estimate badger abundance and population recovery and are developing a national wildlife surveillance programme to unlock a data-driven approach to deploying TB vaccines and other eradication measures. We are also establishing a Badger Vaccinator Field Force to rapidly scale up vaccination efforts, helping to reduce TB rates and protect badgers.