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27 Mar 2006 : Column 653W—continued

ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Avian Flu

Mr. Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether arrangements are being made for poultry producers to be compensated in the event of their flocks contracting avian influenza. [61559]

Mr. Bradshaw: Compensation is payable under the Animal Health Act 1981 (as amended) for healthy birds that are compulsorily slaughtered for avian influenza disease control purposes.

H5N1

Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what information she has received on the length of time that H5N1 was present in each infected EU country before it was discovered. [60771]

Mr. Bradshaw: Information currently available from EU countries affected by H5N1 does not include thelength of time that the virus was present before detection.
 
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We remain in close contact with our EU counterparts as we continue to monitor the situation.

Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what information she has received on the (a) likelihood and (b) implications of H5N1 reaching the game farms of the Loire Valley. [60772]

Mr. Bradshaw: The game farms of the Loire Valley could be exposed to H5N1 infection from wild birds during the spring migration. So far, however, there is no evidence of the virus in the region.

France has taken measures across the whole country to prevent infection entering poultry flocks including game farms. This includes surveillance of wild birds in order to detect H5N1as rapidly as possible.

If avian influenza was confirmed, or even strongly suspected, in wild birds or poultry, then trade in live birds from the affected zone would stop. The extent of any ban would depend on the precise circumstances, but the restricted area would have a radius of at least 10km and remain in place for at least 30 days. Any birds already imported would be traceable if the required records have been kept.

Because of the large number of live bird imports and the recent cases of H5N1 in France, the chief veterinary officer (CVO) for the UK has raised concerns with the European Commission and the French CVO. In response, we have received additional written assurances that France is carrying out surveillance on game farms and enforcing the same rules on biosecurity that apply to poultry holdings.

Biofuels

Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to increase the amount of set-aside farmland used for biofuel crops. [58369]

Mr. Morley: We recognise the opportunities that set-aside land can offer biofuel crops. Farmers can receive the Single Payment for oilseed rape and wheat on set-aside land when grown under contract as a biofuel crop. Sugar beet will soon be eligible to receive the same support. However, biofuel crops are not the only potential use for set-aside and in some situations, other vegetation cover may provide more suitable environmental benefits.

Bovine TB

Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many responses her Department received on the recent consultation into controlling the spread of bovine tuberculosis in cattle in high incidence areas in England. [61141]

Mr. Bradshaw: The Department received approximately 35,000 responses.

Carbon-free Status

Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what Government assistance is available to parish and town councils to move towards carbon-free status. [59056]

 
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Mr. Morley: The Government funded Energy Saving Trust (EST) offers a range of services to parish and town councils to help them to engage their communities and deliver carbon emission reductions. This includes: 'Practical Help', an integrated help and advice service that acts as a channel for all EST support programmes.

The Community Action for Energy programme (CAfE) which facilitates and supports community-based sustainable energy projects and promotes partnerships to help build community-based energy projects.

Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she plans to issue guidance to local authorities on the implementation of the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005. [60219]

Mr. Bradshaw: In week commencing 27 March 2006 the guidance on the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act will be sent to all local authorities and will also be available on Defra's local environmental quality website www.defra.gov.uk/environment/localenv/index.htm.

Climate Change (Waste Management)

Mr. Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which recommendations of the report 'Potential impacts of climate change on waste management' have been implemented by her Department; which recommendations she plans to pursue; which recommendations have been rejected; and if she will make a statement. [60712]

Mr. Bradshaw: 'Potential impacts of climate change on waste management' was commissioned by the Environment Agency to inform its policy and process development. This technical report makes a welcome addition to the evidence base, but it is for the Environment Agency to decide how to respond to its recommendations.

Coastal and Marine Resources Atlas

James Duddridge: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 1 February 2006, Official Report, columns 517–18W, on the Coastal and Marine Resources Atlas, what the estimated costs are of maintaining the online Coastal and Marine Resources Atlas over the next three years. [60768]

Mr. Bradshaw: The Coastal and Marine Resources Atlas, launched in January 2006, uses the infrastructure and resources of the wider MAGIC project; which provides geographic information on key environmental schemes and designations on the web (www.magic.gov.uk). The cost of maintaining MAGIC did not increase when it was extended to include the marine atlas. The additional effort to maintain the marine and coastal data layers on-line over the next three years (approximately one third of a man year) is being absorbed within existing resources.
 
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Disposable Plastic Shopping Bags

Mr. Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to reduce the use of disposable plastic shopping bags. [60887]

Mr. Bradshaw [holding answer 23 March 2006]: Government has been looking at ways of reducing the usage of disposal plastic shopping bags by encouraging reuse. Last Autumn, WRAP (the Waste and Resources Action Programme) conducted a 'Reusable Bag' campaign trial, which took place in Bristol and Edinburgh in association with supermarket retailers, Defra, the Scottish Executive, the British Retail Consortium and the Scottish Waste Awareness Group. Customers were asked to Choose to reuse" any kind of durable shopping bag for their supermarket shop, and remember to bring it with them to store, in an effort to curb carrier bag take-up. WRAP are hoping to publish the results of the campaign by Easter.

Electric Shock Collars

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she expects the Department's review of electric shock collars for dogs to be completed; and if she will place the conclusions in the Library when they are available. [60785]

Mr. Bradshaw: New evidence may soon be available to inform our review and help us decide whether we need to re-advertise a DEFRA research call. The conclusions will be placed in the Library of the House and made publicly available.

Energy Efficiency

Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to improve energy efficiency in public buildings, with particular reference to dealing with appliances left on standby. [57228]

Mr. Morley: The Government's approach is to set targets for carbon reduction or energy efficiency in key operational areas whilst allowing public bodies the flexibility in terms of the mechanisms used to deliver those targets. The Government also provides support and advice to public sector organisations through mechanisms such as the Carbon Trust, a private company funded by Government, which takes the lead on public sector carbon reduction. The Trust can provide support and practical advice on a range of measures (which includes no and low cost measures such as not leaving equipment on standby) to help them meet their commitments.

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