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2 Oct 2006 : Column 2554W—continued
Marine Environment
Chris Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many enforcement actions there were under the powers of the Marine Fisheries Agency concerning the marine environment in each of the last five years; and how many (a) prosecutions were brought and (b) convictions were attained in each year. [91089]
Mr. Bradshaw [holding answer 13 September 2006]: The following table summarises the Marine Fisheries Agency (previously Sea Fisheries Inspectorate) enforcement action under the provisions of the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985 (FEPA) as at 12 September 2006.
| Inspections of licensed construction and disposal operations | Infringements of FEPA licence requirements | Investigations arising from licensed and unlicensed operations | Official warnings | Prosecutions | Convictions | |
The following table is a summary of other Marine Fisheries Agency enforcement actions including prosecutions and convictions for the years 2003, 2004 and 2005.
Non-human Primates
Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what steps have been taken towards reducing the risks to non-human primates from the (a) trade in bushmeat, (b) laboratory trade, (c) trade in exotic pets and (d) use of primates in entertainment; [90837]
(2) what response he has made to the dossier submitted by Animal Defenders International to the Prime Minister’s office on 1 September; and if he will publish that response. [90840]
Mr. Bradshaw [holding answer 11 September 2006]: The UK cannot intervene directly in sovereign matters of other countries, and bushmeat has been a legitimate and acceptable food source for domestic consumption in many countries for generations. While some bushmeat may be entering the UK, it is understood not to be in significant quantities. Moreover, of the limited amount which may be entering the country, we consider the endangered-species element, including that of non-human primates, is likely to be at a very low level.
The use of animals in experiments and other scientific procedures is strictly regulated by the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, for which the Home Office has the lead responsibility. Non-human primates are afforded special protection under the Act and there are stringent requirements regarding their use in scientific experiments. The use of wild-caught non-human primates is subject to supplementary additional considerations.
The Home Office announced in 1997 that there are no foreseen circumstances under which licences under the 1986 Act for programmes of work involving the use of Great Apes (chimpanzees, pygmy chimpanzees, gorillas and orang-utans) would be issued. In addition, exceptional justification would be required for the licensed use of other types of non-human primates taken from the wild.
The 1986 Act provides that non-human primates, whether captive bred or wild-caught, can only be used when no other species are suitable for the purposes of the programme to be specified in the licence, or that it is not practicable to obtain animals of any other species that are suitable for those purposes. For the use of wild-caught primates to be exceptionally authorised, there must be no appropriate alternative, no suitable captive-bred animals available and the likely benefits of the programme of work would have to fully justify their use.
The Animals (Scientific Procedures) Inspectorate and the Animal Procedures Committee provide advice on a case-by-case basis on whether, and on what terms, such use should be licensed. Application of these stringent criteria has meant that first time use of wild-caught non-human primates in scientific procedures has not been licensed in the UK for some years.
The import, export and re-export of primates is strictly regulated under Council Regulation 338/97, which implements the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) of Wild Fauna and Flora within the EU. The Government’s view is that primates are not suitable for the general pet trade. We currently limit imports of these species to specialist keepers who must be able to demonstrate that they are sufficiently well equipped and experienced to house and care for them. In July last year, Defra launched a public consultation regarding the use of powers under Article 8.2 of Council Regulation 338/97, which sought
views on proposals designed to further restrict the keeping of certain CITES listed species, including primates.
We propose to introduce a regulation under the Animal Welfare Bill to ban the use, in travelling circuses, of certain non-domesticated species whose welfare needs cannot be satisfactorily met in that environment. A Circus Working Group has been set up to advise on this proposal. We also intend to introduce Codes of Practice to cover all performing animals, not just those in circuses. This will address issues such as training activities, trainer competences and accommodation needs for animals when travelling.
I would like to thank Animal Defenders International for their dossier “Primate Nations.” The use of animals, including non-human primates, in research and testing is an issue for which the Home Office has responsibility.
A copy of the dossier will be placed in the Libraries of the House.
Packaging
Mr. Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the Government’s policy is on the non-mandatory status of European Commission Decision 97/129/EC which provides for numbering and abbreviations to identify different packaging materials, including plastics; and if he will make a statement. [91020]
Mr. Bradshaw [holding answer 13 September 2006]: The Government have no plans to make the marking of plastic household products mandatory. However, while the marking system is voluntary, we would encourage manufacturers to use the markings where possible, in order to aid the process of sorting and recycling plastic packaging waste.
Questionnaires
Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many (a) questionnaires, (b) statistical inquiries and (c) investigations have been carried out wholly or partly at public expense on behalf of or by his Department or public bodies for which he is responsible in each year since 1997; and what the (i) nature, (ii) purpose and (iii) cost was in each case. [83183]
Barry Gardiner: The Defra website provides information on the type of statistical surveys and research conducted by the Department.
It is intended to start to publish a review of surveys conducted , including the costs . This will begin with the review of surveys conducted in 2005 which is expected to be published on the website shortly.
A full list of Government surveys and other sources of official statistics is available in the Guide to Official Statistics published by the Government Statistical Service (http://www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/Product .asp?vlnk=1551&Pos=&ColRank=1&Rank=422).
Recycling
Mr. Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps his Department is taking to improve the level of recycling of waste electrical and electronic materials. [90963]
Mr. Bradshaw [holding answer 13 September 2006]: The Government are in the process of implementing the waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) directive, which aims to reduce the quantity of waste from electrical and electronic equipment and increase re-use, recovery and recycling. The directive requires member states to ensure that producers (or third parties acting on their behalf) set up systems to provide for the collection, treatment, recovery and environmentally sound disposal of WEEE.
The Department of Trade and Industry (the department with the lead responsibility for implementing the directive) is currently carrying out a consultation on draft regulations which transpose the directive into UK legislation, and accompanying guidance. The closing date for the consultation is 17 October 2006.
Single Farm Payments
Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps he took to ensure all farmers were paid by the June deadline by the Rural Payments Agency. [83719]
Barry Gardiner: Following the announcement by my right hon. Friend the Member for Derby South on 16 March 2006, Official Report, column 104WS, a number of measures were put in place to expedite claims.
The House has subsequently been kept informed of these measures on 27 March 2006, Official Report, column 543; 29 March 2006, Official Report, column 305WH; 19 April 2006, Official Report, column 13WS; 9 May 2006, Official Report, column 10WS; 22 June 2006, Official Report, column 1478; and, 5 July 2006, Official Report, column 42WS.
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proportion of previously outstanding payments under the single farm payment scheme have been paid in full in North Yorkshire. [91046]
Barry Gardiner [holding answer 13 September 2006]: As of 30 June 2006 the total value of single payment scheme payments made to customers in North Yorkshire amounted to £105,445,055.
The value of payments made to customers in North Yorkshire from 1 July 2006 through to 8 September 2006 amounted to £3,275,952.19.
The payment value includes partial payments made.
Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when he expects Peter Brown to receive his single payment from the Rural Payments Agency (Holding number 33/186/0003 and single business identification 106326473). [85770]
Barry Gardiner: Mr. Brown received a Single Payment Scheme payment on 8 May 2006.
All work on Mr. Brown’s 2005 claim has been completed.
Mr. Brown was paid only flat rate. It has been stated that this is a full payment. After further inspection it appears that his historic entitlements have been omitted from payment.
An emergency change request has now been implemented onto the system and a manual payment was made on 4 August 2006.
Defence
Afghanistan
Mr. Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what requests for (a) more helicopters, (b) other equipment and (c) more personnel from field commanders in Afghanistan have been received by (i) Permanent Joint HQ, (ii) Defence Chiefs of Staff and (iii) Ministers since 25 July 2006. [90949]
Mr. Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has received any requests from British commanders for (a) more troops and (b) extra munitions or equipment to support the British deployment in Afghanistan. [91171]
Des Browne [holding answers 13 and 18 September 2006]: Both the Ministry of Defence and the Permanent Joint Headquarters regularly receive requests from Theatre for changes to the military capabilities and equipment deployed, as part of the routine process of evaluating our force structure. The more substantial changes in personnel levels or equipment are incorporated into periodic Force Level Reviews. I announced the outcome of the most recent such review on 10 July 2006, Official Report, columns 1131-35 and, for its helicopters, on 24 July 2006, Official Report, columns 74-76WS. More minor changes, such as my recent decision to deploy an additional Harrier GR7a to Kandahar, are made as soon as practicable.
Reports from British commanders in Theatre since 25 July have informed the UK's position towards the NATO Force Generation process: minor adjustments aside, they have not sought to reinforce 16 Air Assault Brigade and its supporting units.
Mr. Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many troops have been committed by each country to the conflict in Afghanistan; and if he will make statement on the availability of troops from other NATO countries. [91014]
Des Browne [holding answer 13 September 2006]: ISAF currently comprises around 20,000 troops from 37 NATO and non-NATO nations:
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