Every parliamentary written question tabled by Laurence Turner this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 1–14 of 14 · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 20 May to Question UIN 362, what her Department's proposed timetable is for introducing a consultation to ban the use of carbon dioxide gas stunning of pigs.
As set out in the response to UIN 362, further details will be shared later this year.
Food and Rural Affairs, when her Department plans to launch the call for evidence on how gamebirds are reared in the gamebird sector.
As stated in the Animal Welfare Strategy the Government will launch a call for evidence to improve its understanding of the welfare issues on how gamebirds are reared. The Government will take this forward in due course.
Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of the Glue Traps (Offences) Act 2022 in preventing unlicenced use of glue traps.
This is a devolved matter and the information provided therefore relates to England only. No formal assessment of the effectiveness of the Glue Traps (Offences) Act 2022 in preventing unlicensed use of glue traps has been made. The Act aims to improve animal welfare by reducing the use of glue traps in England. Since 2022, market-leading suppliers have been removing glue traps from sale and promoting more humane alternatives; and since 2024, professional pest controllers have only been able to use glue traps in exceptional circumstances under licence. Defra has confidence that the number of these devices deployed across England has been significantly reducing.
Food and Rural Affairs, if she will take steps to prevent the importation of factory farmed octopus food products.
We have no current plans to prevent the import of farmed octopus products to the UK.
Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 19 March 2025 to Question 37879 on Cats: Animal Breeding, what progress he has made in reviewing the recommendations of the Animal Welfare Committee Opinion on the welfare implications of current and emergent feline breeding practices, published in December 2024.
The Government is still carefully considering the recommendations of the Animal Welfare Committee’s Opinion on the welfare implications of current and emergent feline breeding practices.
Food and Rural Affairs, if he will publish a public consultation this year that would enable the Government to provide the best support to farmers to end the use of pig farrowing crates.
We are firmly committed to maintaining and improving animal welfare and want to work closely with the farming sector to deliver high standards. The use of farrowing crates for pigs is an issue we are currently considering very carefully.
Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department plans to make Animal Health and Welfare Pathway grants available to pig farmers to install free farrowing systems.
We will simplify and rationalise our grant funding, ensuring that grants are targeted towards those who need them most and where they can deliver the most benefit for food security and nature.
Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department holds information on the number of injuries caused by dangerous dogs to (a) postal workers and (b) courier workers broken down at (i) national, (ii) local authority and (iii) Parliamentary constituency level.
Defra does not hold data on the total number of dog attacks or on the number of injuries caused by dangerous dogs on postal or courier workers as enforcement authorities and healthcare services are not required to report this information to Defra. This information may be collected by the NHS, individual police forces and local authorities.
Food and Rural Affairs, what contracts (a) BFS Group Limited and (b) subsidiary companies of BFS Group Limited hold with (i) his Department and (ii) agencies of his Department.
In response to this question neither Defra of any of its agencies have any contracts with BFS Group or any of its subsidiaries.
Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science's report entitled Assessing the susta
As an independent coastal State, the UK sets total allowable catches (TACs) each year for many fish stocks through negotiations with other coastal States. UK positions in those negotiations are informed by the best available scientific advice, including a...
Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to address the issue of overfishing.
Sustainability is at the heart of the UK’s approach to fisheries management. Through negotiations with other coastal States, we ensure that catch limits are set sustainably, consistent with the best scientific advice. This Government is also pleased to re...
Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of The Mandatory Use of Close Circuit Television in Slaughterhouses (England) Regulations 2018.
Published in June 2023, the Post Implementation Review of The Mandatory Use of Closed Circuit Television in Slaughterhouses (England) Regulations 2018 confirmed that the legislation has met its objectives of improving animal welfare and providing assuranc...
Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help protect the welfare of greyhound dogs within the greyhound racing industry.
The welfare of greyhounds in England is protected by the Animal Welfare Act 2006. The 2006 Act allows action to be taken where there is evidence of cruelty to an animal or a failure to provide for that animal’s welfare needs. This includes where greyhound...
Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help improve the welfare of greyhound dogs.
The welfare of greyhounds in England is protected by the Animal Welfare Act 2006. The 2006 Act allows action to be taken where there is evidence of cruelty to an animal or a failure to provide for that animal’s welfare needs. This includes where greyhound...