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28 Oct 2003 : Column 163W—continued
Farming
Mr. Brazier: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research she has commissioned into the age profile of those in the farming community; and what measures she is taking to encourage younger people into the agriculture industry. [133891]
Mr. Bradshaw [holding answer 27 October 2003]: The Government recognise the importance of encouraging new entrants into farming. The Strategy for Sustainable Farming and Food sets out how industry, Government and consumers must work together to secure profitable and internationally competitive farming and food industries, which are attractive to those already engaged in them and to potential new entrants.
This Department has commissioned research which will seek to identify the existence and nature of any artificial barriers to new entrants, and the potential means by which such barriers might be overcome.
Mr. Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with non-farming commercial interests regarding loss insurance in the event of a disease outbreak in (a) farmed livestock and (b) crops. [134506]
Mr. Bradshaw: The discussions are the same ones referred to in the answer I gave to my right hon. Friend on 6 October 2003, Official Report, column 1185W.
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Fisheries
Mrs. Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether (a) the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea and (b) the Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries has scientific evidence on the connection between fishing effort by the UK fishing fleet and the levels of fish stocks in UK national waters; and if she will review fisheries management systems including those applied by the Faeroese and Icelandic industries. [133991]
Mr. Bradshaw: In recognition of the migratory behaviour of the fish species concerned, stock assessments and related work are carried out on identifiably discrete stocks of fish, rather than according to national boundaries. For the same reason they are carried out by independent international organisations, which combine data from most of the main countries and fleets that exploit each stock in order to assess their impact on stocks. As part of this process, the scientists from the UK who attend the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) and the Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries, (STECF) therefore submit data on our national catch, and on fishing effort, to inform the discussions. I expect the report being prepared on fisheries by the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit to cover a broad range of issues related to fisheries management, including possible alternative management systems.
Fruit Marketing Standards
Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress has been made with EU negotiations over the marketing standard for apples and pears. [134139]
Mr. Bradshaw [holding answer 27 October 2003]: The EU Commission's proposals to amend the marketing standard for apples are expected to be presented at the November meeting of the Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Management Committee.
Biofuels
Mr. Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what quantity of biofuel the United Kingdom imported from (a) Germany and (b) France in the last year for which figures are available. [134371]
Mr. Bradshaw [holding answer 27 October 2003]: Currently, around 2 million litres of biodiesel are sold each month in the UK. Around half of this is imported but information is not collected on the country of origin.
Mr. Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the effect of the duty reduction to 20 pence a litre for biofuels. [134372]
Mr. Bradshaw [holding answer 27 October 2003]: The cut in the duty on biodiesel has already brought forward production of biodiesel from recycled vegetable oil. This offers waste reduction benefits as well as savings in carbon dioxide emissions. Currently, around 2 million litres of biodiesel are sold each month from over 130
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filling stations in the UK. Companies are actively considering the production of biodiesel from UK-grown oilseed rape.
Mr. John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the Government's estimate is of (a) the percentage of the United Kingdom's farmland suitable for growing biofuel crops and (b) the quantity of biofuel that could be produced from this land. [134373]
Mr. Bradshaw [holding answer 27 October 2003]: As biofuels can be produced from mainstream arable crops, a large proportion of the UK's 4.2 million hectares of arable land (2001–02 figures) is suitable for growing biofuel feedstocks. The key factor in determining the amount of land used is the need for the market return to the farmer to be sufficient to motivate diversion from production for established food and animal feed markets. Achieving the Biofuels Directive's reference target of 5.75 per cent. use of biofuels by 2010 would require the production of biofuels from waste vegetable oil, plus feedstocks from around 1 million hectares of agricultural land.
Greyhounds
Mr. Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what actions her Department is taking to tackle abuse of greyhounds. [134187]
Mr. Bradshaw: Officials are discussing with the racing industry and welfare organisations possible measures to improve the welfare of greyhounds under the proposed Animal Welfare Bill.
Shooting/Fishing
Mr. Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make it her policy to maintain the existing regulatory framework not to introduce further restrictions on (a) fishing and (b) shooting laws. [133515]
Mr. Bradshaw: Within our manifesto is a firm commitment not to introduce further restrictions on the sports of fishing or shooting. The Government recognises the significant contribution that shooting can give to the social, economic and environmental well-being of rural areas, where it can provide a supplement to incomes and jobs, and contribute to conservation of landscapes, habitats and wildlife.
When undertaken correctly, we fully recognise the usefulness of shooting as a wildlife management measure. For species such as deer and foxes, lawful shooting is one of the recommended methods of population control and can be very effective. In addition the Government fully supports The Code of Good
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Shooting Practice, launched by the County Land and Business Association earlier this year, which is based on the following "golden rules":
- To ensure safe conduct, those involved in shooting must show respect for the countryside and consideration for others.
Shoot managers must endeavour to deliver enhancement of wildlife conservation, habitat and the countryside.
Reared gamebirds should be released before the start of their shooting season.
Respect for quarry is paramount. It is fundamental to mark and retrieve all birds. Shot game is food and must be treated as such.
Game management and shooting must at all times be conducted within the law and the principles of the Code of Practice.
Angling and shooting—as with all sports—have an important role to play in the life of this country, and in helping to tackle some of the our major problems, such as crime, social problems and regeneration. This Government remains committed to angling and shooting, and to working with the governing bodies in the best interests of anglers and shooters for the overall development of those sports.
Illegal Meat Imports
Mr. Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on her Department's progress in tackling illegal meat imports. [134004]
Mr. Bradshaw: Progress against the Government's Action Plan on illegal imports in the financial year 2002–03 is reported in the Annual Review of Controls on Imports of Animal Products. Copies have been placed in the House Libraries.
The 2003–04 Action Plan is appended to the Review, and we are working with HM Customs and other responsible parties to implement it. HM Customs took over responsibility for anti-smuggling controls at the border on 11 April this year. Progress will be reported in the next Annual Review, to be published after the end of this financial year.
Japanese Knotweed
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research her Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the spread of Japanese knotweed; and if she will make a statement. [134228]
Mr. Bradshaw: I am aware of the problems caused by the spread of Japanese knotweed. The Department commissioned a new survey of plants in Britain and Ireland between 1987 and 1999 to produce updated 10-km square distribution maps of all plant species found in the wild. The results of this research were published in the New Atlas of the British and Irish Flora in September 2002. This included information on the spread of non-native plants such as Japanese knotweed.
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The Botanical Society for the British Isles continues to collect records for all native and the majority of non-native species (including Japanese Knotweed) in the UK and submit them to the Biological Record Centre at the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology.
This Department is collaborating with a consortium led by Cornwall county council to undertake a four year project researching the biological control of Japanese knotweed. The study will undertake the necessary research to establish whether biological control is a feasible method for the long-term, sustainable management of Japanese knotweed in the UK.
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