Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

On this page you will find campaign responses related to the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. The department is responsible for:

  • safeguarding our natural environment
  • supporting our world-leading food and farming industry
  • sustaining a thriving rural economy
Campaigns

Trophy Hunting

Dear Constituent, Thank you for contacting me about trophy hunting. There are strong arguments for conservation hunting, and my fear is that if we ban legal hunting we will only encourage poaching.

Animals and Live Export

Dear Constituent, Thank you for contacting me regarding animals and live export. The United Kingdom has led the way on animal welfare for a long time. In 2021, the Government's Action Plan for Animal Welfare, set out reforms for this Parliament and beyond.

American XL Bully Dogs

Dear Constituent, Thank you for your correspondence regarding American XL Bully dogs. Fatal and serious dog attacks have risen sharply this year and the American XL Bully has been disproportionately involved in this rise. I am entirely in favour of the Government’s announced ban.

People's Plan for Nature

Dear Constituent, Thank you for contacting me about the proposed "People's Plan for Nature". Biodiversity loss is a global problem that needs a global solution, and I welcome HM Government's agreement at COP15 for a new deal protecting nature.

Defend Nature (Wildlife Trusts Campaign)

Dear Constituent, Thank you for contacting me about planning policy and local wildlife. Wildlife sites are vital to our countryside and our environment and it is a vital duty to protect them and keep them secure for the future. The National Planning Policy Framework lists local wildlife site

'Cats are Family Too' campaign (Kept Animals Bill)

Dear Constituent, Thank you for contacting me about cats and the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill. The United Kingdom has some of the highest animal welfare standards in the world and we should what we can to protect our world-leading standards.

Investment Zones and Protecting Nature

Dear Constituent, Thank you for contacting me about Investment Zones and the protection of nature. I am glad to see we are in agreement about how important the protection of nature is, and I am sorry that some campaigning groups have spread alarmist fears over Investment Zones. The purpose of spe

Solar Farms on Agricultural Land

Dear Constituent, Thank you for your recent correspondence regarding solar farms on farmland. It is the height of folly to take good productive land out of agricultural use at a time when the world’s normal food supply chains have been disrupted by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as well as the ongoi

Dangerous Dogs Act (Breed Specific Legislation)

Dear Constituent, Thank you for contacting me about dangerous dogs. Under the Dangerous Dogs Act, it is a criminal offence to allow any dog of any breed or type to be dangerously out of control. The Act also prohibits certain types of dog that are considered a serious risk to public safety.

Snares

Dear Constituent, Thank you for contacting me about the use of snares, When improperly used snares can cause immense suffering to both target and non-target animals. As part of the drive to maintain our high animal welfare standards, I welcome that the Action Plan for Animal Welfare sets out

Pâté de foie gras

Dear Constituent, Thank you for contacting me about the production of pâté de foie gras. The production of foie gras from ducks or geese using force feeding raises has been banned in the UK for over 15 years following the introduction of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 which brought forward a leg

Elephants and Ivory Sales

Dear Constituent, Thank you for contacting me about the conservation of the elephant and ivory sales. Ivory is one of the world's most iconic and treasured species and it should never be seen as a commodity for financial gain or a status symbol.  I am therefore glad that Ivory Act 2018 will

Snares

Dear Constituent, Thank you for contacting me about the use of snares. Snares can cause immense suffering to both target and non-target animals.

Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill

Dear Constituent, Thank you for contacting me about the Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill.  I understand that this Presentation Bill has been developed by campaign members of Extinction Rebellion, Big Ask and Power for the People.

Sewage and Storm Overflows

Dear Constituent, Thank you for contacting me about storm overflows. This is the first Government to set out expectations that water companies must take steps to significantly reduce storm overflows.

Uplands (Protecting Our Upland Areas)

Dear Constituent, Thank you for contacting me about our upland areas.  The Government is firmly committed to protecting our uplands, the wildlife that thrives there, and the people who live there too. Restoring nature is crucial and the Prime Minister has committed to protecting 30 per cent

Great Big Green Week

Dear Constituent, Thank you for contacting me about Great Big Green Week and COP26, which is being held in Glasgow in November this year.  As you are probably aware, the Prime Minister has set the world’s most ambitious climate change target into law of reducing emissions by 78 per cent by 20

Hedgehogs

Dear Constituent, Thank you for contacting me about the protection of hedgehogs. The hedgehog is an extraordinary creature, much loved, and with a long and celebrated history in this country.

Trophy Hunting

Dear Constituent, Thank you for contacting me about trophy hunting. The Government is committed to doing all it can to support wildlife and the environment, both in the UK and internationally, and Ministers will be delivering on the manifesto commitment to ban the import of hunting trophies from e

Ocean Protection

Dear Constituent, Thank you for contacting me about the health of our waters.   2021 is a vital year for the ocean.

Access to the Countryside

Dear Constituent, Thank you for contacting me about improving access to the countryside. Let me start by assuring you that I am enthusiastic about promoting recreation in the countryside, and understand the benefits outdoor activities can produce both physically and mentally.

Neonicotinoids and Pollinators

Dear Constituent, Thank you for contacting me about the use of neonicotinoids.  The Government continues to support some restrictions on neonicotinoids to protect pollinators, and emergency authorisations for pesticides are only granted in exceptional circumstances where diseases or pest

Food Production Standards

Dear Constituent, Thank you for contacting me about maintaining UK food production standards. The manifesto I stood on was clear that in all our trade negotiations, we will not compromise on our high environmental protection, animal welfare and food standards.

Super Trawlers

Dear Constituent, Thank you for your correspondence about Super Trawlers. It is absolutely necessary for the Government to protect the health of British waters and the diversity of fish in them and I am fully aware of the impact that super trawlers have on marine life.

Animal Sentience

Dear Constituent, Thank you for contacting me about animal sentience. First and foremost, I believe animals are sentient beings who can feel pain and suffering and I would like to reassure you that strong action is being taken to reduce their risk of harm. The Government is committed to maki

Badger Culling and Bovine TB

Dear Constituent, Thank you for contacting me about controlling the spread of bovine TB. The UK’s bovine TB eradication strategy is based on the findings of scientific research.

Animal Testing

As an animal lover, I am deeply concerned over the treatment of animals who are used in scientific research. I am proud of Britain's long tradition of kindness to animals and preventing and punishing cruelty to them.

Food Standards and UK Trade Policy

It's vital that people across the UK have confidence in the food they eat, so I welcome the Government’s very clear commitment that future trade agreements must uphold our country’s high food standards. Ministers have made clear these standards will not be watered down in pursuit of any trade deal.

Agriculture Bill (and Food Standards)

I put my name to the two amendments moved by Neil Parish which would have added special and specific mandates above and beyond the already existing high standards that exist in food production and import

Environment Bill

The decision to leave the European Union has created an historic opportunity to deliver a Green Brexit, where environmental standards are not only maintained but enhanced.

Food and Wildlife Habitats as Public Good

In framing any financial assistance scheme, the Secretary of State must have regard to the need to encourage the production of food by producers in England and its production by them in an environmentally sustainable way.

Oceans and Marine Protection

Oceans are currently facing unprecedented challenges, including climate change and over-fishing. It is more important than ever to take action to ensure our seas are healthy, abundant and resilient.
See Also

Alternative Ways to Lower Vehicle Emissions

Dear Constituent, Thank you for contacting me about the APPG Inquiry into Alternative Ways to Lower Vehicle Emissions. I agree with you that motorists should not be overburdened with the responsibility of improving air quality and tackling climate change.

E10 Petrol

Dear Constituent, Thank you for contacting me about E10 fuel. Low-carbon fuels such as bioethanol play an important role in helping the UK meet its carbon budgets.

E10 Petrol Campaign

Dear Constituent, Thank you for contacting me about the introduction of E10. I share your belief in the importance of the bioethanol industry. Not only is it a source of jobs and growth for many, it is also integral to building a cleaner economy.

Environment and Farming After Brexit

Dear Constituent, Thank you for contacting me about the impact of the UK’s decision to leave the European Union on farming. Food and farming is a bedrock of our economy and environment, generating £112 billion a year and helping shape some of our finest habitats and landscapes.

Farmers and Renewable Fuel

Dear Constituent, Thank you for contacting me about E10 fuel. I appreciate your concerns, and believe that low-carbon fuels such as bioethanol play, and will continue to play, an important role in helping the UK meet its carbon budgets.

Food Labelling (and EDM 1095)

Dear Constituent, Thank you for contacting me about labelling food with details of the farming system used to produce it. Given the £200 billion UK consumers spend each year on food, drink and catering services this is a very important issue.

General Licences for Bird Control

Dear Constituent, Thank you for contacting me about the three general licences for controlling specific wild bird species. I am concerned with the speed with which these licences were withdrawn and I understand that Natural England are now working to replace them with appropriate licences as quick

Horse Tethering (Break the Chain Campaign)

Dear Constituent, Thank you for contacting me about horse tethering and the Break the Chain campaign by the equestrian charity HorseWorld. I support the highest standards of animal welfare and agree with you about the importance of protecting these gentle, sensitive creatures.

Horse Tethering (Break the Chain)

Dear Constituent, Thank you for contacting me about horse tethering and the Break The Chain campaign by the equestrian charity, HorseWorld. I support the highest standards of animal welfare and agree with you about the importance of protecting these gentle, sensitive creatures.

Horseracing Welfare

Dear Constituent, Thank you for contacting me about the welfare of racehorses. The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) is the independent body responsible for regulating the sport of horseracing.

Protect Our Rivers

Dear Constituent, Thank you for contacting me about plastic pollution in UK rivers. The Resources and Waste strategy sets out plans to reduce plastic pollution with a target of eliminating all avoidable waste over the lifetime of the Government's 25 Year Environment Plan.

Rivers

Dear Constituent, Thank you for contacting me about plastic pollution in UK rivers. The Resources and Waste strategy, published last year, sets out plans to reduce plastic pollution with a target of eliminating all avoidable waste over the lifetime of the Government's 25 Year Environment Plan.