Mark Spencer: I give way to the shadow Minister.
Mark Spencer: Let me give way to the hon. Member for Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport, and then I will take both points at the same time.
Mark Spencer: The plan that we are pursuing is working with the sector and the scientific community to try and bring those advances forward as soon as possible. It is not possible for me to stand here today and predict what those advances may be in the next 12 months or five years. Clearly, we have to work with the sector. British Sugar is putting an awful lot of work into trying to improve sugar beet...
Mark Spencer: I am more than happy to continue to explore that issue. It is interesting that the hon. Member should raise it at this moment in time because we are doing some work in that regard, and there is a statutory instrument coming on veterinary medicines and their deployment. He will be aware that some flea treatments require a veterinary prescription and some can be done under the jurisdiction of...
Mark Spencer: I am grateful to the hon. Member because he is making an important point. It may be helpful to the House to understand that a further check and balance on the authorisation for emergency use is whether the threshold is met for the product to be deployed. Only where that threshold is met is the product deployed in the open market. In 2021, that threshold was not met, so the product was not...
Mark Spencer: Sevington BCP is operated from a site owned by DFT. The Department considers that this information is commercially sensitive and should be withheld.
Mark Spencer: As outlined in our 2021 Action Plan for Animal Welfare, the Government has an ambitious agenda for animal welfare and conservation reforms, which we are taking forward during this Parliamentary session. We will continue to introduce and support legislative and non-legislative reforms where possible. We are aware that Selaine Saxby MP has introduced a Private Members’ Bill on restricting...
Mark Spencer: Canine fertility clinics are already subject to regulatory standards as a result of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966, and the Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2013, amongst others. The Government has no plans to issue additional guidance requiring veterinary oversight of canine fertility businesses.
Mark Spencer: Canine fertility clinics are already subject to regulatory standards as a result of the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 (“the 2018 Regulations”), the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966, and the Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2013, amongst others. For example, under the 2018 Regulations, anyone in the business of breeding and selling dogs...
Mark Spencer: I refer the hon. Member to part a) of the reply given to the hon. Member for Putney, Fleur Anderson, on 23 January 2024, UIN 9673.
Mark Spencer: Surgical artificial insemination is a prohibited procedure under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. It legally restricts mutilations to animals (i.e. procedures which interfere with sensitive tissue or bone structure). Consequently, canine fertility business should not be offering surgical artificial insemination. Anyone convicted of carrying out a prohibited procedure may be imprisoned for a term...
Mark Spencer: As of 26 February, the Rural Payments Agency had offered 14,035 Sustainable Farming Incentive (including SFI Pilot, SFI 2022 and SFI 2023) agreements with 12,903 accepted and 48,665 agreements under the Countryside Stewardship and Environmental Stewardship schemes. Farmers can have more than one agreement in schemes. In addition, from the launch of the Farming in Protected Landscapes...
Mark Spencer: Since 31 January 2024,1721 consignments have entered the UK with a health certificate for medium risk goods. Some of these consignments can be considered medium risk but can also be considered low risk dependant on how products are treated. The requirements for checking these products are not required at present, as this does not come into effect until 30 April 2024. This information is...
Mark Spencer: The UK remains committed to supporting Ukrainian agriculture, a key sector of Ukraine’s economy. The UK’s support includes committing £8 million to President Zelenskyy’s ‘Grain from Ukraine’ initiative, which supports grain production in Ukraine and ensures that Ukrainian grain reaches some of the poorest and most vulnerable people in the world. Ukraine’s maritime corridor in the...
Mark Spencer: Defra recognises the vital work the charity sector is already doing to support farmers who are struggling to cope with the pressures of farming. Initiatives include in-person counselling support for farmers, crisis helplines, online services, mental health training for the farming sector and other outreach events designed to reach more farmers in need. Defra also established the Farmer...
Mark Spencer: The Control of Horses Act 2015 provides powers for landowners, land occupiers and local authorities to deal with horses placed unlawfully on any land, public or private (including equine abandonments). The 2015 Act allows for action to be taken quickly where horses are placed on land without the land-owner’s permission. If no owner can be identified within four working days, options include...
Mark Spencer: The Government remains committed to introducing a ban on the use of e-collars. We will pursue new regulations to deliver this commitment on a revised timeline. Decisions will take place in the usual manner.
Mark Spencer: As of 21st February 2024, there have been 41 cases of avian influenza confirmed in the UK within the last 12 months (22/02/23-21/02/24). The latest case figures and information on the disease and location of the cases, are available online: Bird flu (avian influenza): latest situation in England - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
Mark Spencer: Defra has spent £102,320 to support the police to deliver additional training to Dog Legislation Officers to make sure the ban on XL Bully type dogs is effectively enforced.
Mark Spencer: Defra worked closely with the National Police Chiefs Council in developing and delivering the ban on XL Bully type dogs. Representatives from the National Police Chiefs Council formed part of the expert group that developed the conformation standard for the XL Bully, so the breed type could be banned in law. We have continued to engage regularly with their representatives on the enforcement...