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18 Jan 2007 : Column 1240W—continued
Defra recognises some of the inherent difficulties in calculating carbon dioxide emissions from financial expenditure, and is actively seeking to improve carbon dioxide reporting mechanisms across Government.
The recent Pan-Government Travel Contract (led by the DWP, OGC and Defra) had sustainability as a stringent criterion. My Department, in partnership with our travel service provider, has developed carbon reporting based on business mileages, rather than financial expenditure. This has improved the reliability of data streams and enabled strategic analysis.
Through the work of the Defra-led Government Carbon Offsetting Fund Interdepartmental Group and the Civil Service Travel Group, Defra is promoting the use of the collaborative Pan-Government Travel Contract. We are also sharing best practice across the Government Estate.
Animal Welfare
Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the result was of his Department’s consultation on proposed guidance for the transport of greyhounds; and whether his Department plans to issue guidance relating specifically to the transport of greyhounds. [115494]
Mr. Bradshaw: Defra has not consulted specifically on proposed guidance for the transport of greyhounds. However, in May 2006 Defra published a consultation paper on the implementation in England of Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 on the protection of animals during transport and related operations. A summary of responses can be found on the Defra website at:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/anirnaltransport-eureg/responses-summary.pdf.
Following that consultation, my Department issued guidance on compliance with Regulation 1/2005 which is available on the Defra website at:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/welfare/farmed/transport/eu-transportreg.htm.
Specific guidance on the transport of greyhounds is not planned but it is our intention to use powers provided under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 to introduce regulations and a code on the welfare of greyhounds used in racing.
Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 14 December 2006 , Official Report, columns 1242-3W, on animal welfare, whether the British Greyhound Racing Board consulted his Department before issuing its guidance; and if he will make a statement. [115495]
Mr. Bradshaw: The British Greyhound Racing Board did consult Defra before issuing its guidance on transporting greyhounds.
Bovine Animal Seizures
Mr. Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which Minister authorised the decision to attempt to seize bovine animal UK OX0564 00177 on 10 January 2007; and on what date that decision was taken. [116111]
Mr. Bradshaw [holding answer 17 January 2007]: My letter of 15 November 2006 advised the hon. Member that I considered the animal in question to be a bovine spongiform encephalopathy cohort and that the state veterinary service would make arrangements to slaughter it. The law requires cohorts to be slaughtered as soon as possible.
A decision on when to remove an animal for slaughter is an operational one for the state veterinary service. Given the public interest generated about this animal the SVS informed Ministers of their intention to remove the animal on 8 January 2007. They were under no obligation to do so.
Carbon Emissions
Mr. Mark Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what the total carbon emissions of the UK were for road transport in the most recent year for which information is available; [115438]
(2) what the total carbon emissions of the UK were for (a) power generation and (b) domestic consumption in the most recent year for which information is available. [115440]
Ian Pearson: The UK Greenhouse Gas Inventory published in 2006 contains final estimates of emissions to 2004, which is the latest year for which information is currently available.
The total UK emissions of carbon dioxide from road transport, power generation and the domestic sector in 2004, as reported in the Inventory, are set out in the following table.
| Sector | Total UK emissions of carbon dioxide in 2004 (Megatons (Mt)) |
Provisional DTI figures, published in March 2006, suggest small increases in emissions in 2005. Final statistics for 2005 from the UK Greenhouse Gas Inventory will be available on 31 January.
Mr. Mark Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the Government's targets are for the reduction in total carbon emissions of the UK for (a) road transport, (b) power generation and (c) domestic consumption by (i) 2020, (ii) 2030 and (iii) 2050. [115439]
Ian Pearson: The new Climate Change Bill announced in the Queen's speech will make the Government's long-term goal to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 60 per cent. by 2050 a statutory target. How this target is measured and how progress is reported, are fundamental issues that are still being considered. Appropriate interim targets are being looked at.
The Government do not have specific carbon dioxide emission reduction targets for individual sectors. However, the 2006 UK climate change programme (UKCCP) sets out the measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in six broad sectors: energy supply; business; transport; domestic; agriculture, forestry and land management; and public and local government.
The 2006 UKCCP also contains data on recorded emissions of carbon dioxide and other gases covered by the Kyoto protocol, and projected emissions of these gases to 2020.
The 2006 UKCCP can be accessed on the Defra website at:
http://defraweb/environment/climatechange/uk/ukccp/
Climate Change Bill
Mr. Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when he expects to reply to the letter of 11 October 2006 from the right hon. Member for Warley on the Climate Change Bill. [114948]
Ian Pearson: A reply was sent to the hon. Member on 7 January 2007. I apologise for the delay.
Compensation Payments
Mr. Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much in compensation payments was paid by his Department in 2005-06; and what the reason for the payment was in each case. [108207]
Barry Gardiner: The following amounts were paid in compensation by the Department in 2005-06:
| Litigation | |
| £ | |
| (1 )Settlement prior to ET £6,000 (2 )Settlement prior to ET | |
Countryside Access
Mr. David Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the policy is of his Department on encouraging equestrian access to the countryside. [116097]
Barry Gardiner: We have worked closely with both the British Horse Society and British Horse Industry Confederation on the production of the joint “Horse Industry Strategy for England and Wales” which was launched in December 2005. Improved equestrian access features strongly in the strategy which is available from the Defra website at:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/rural/horses/topics/strategy.htm.
The Government are committed to improving access for equestrians by increasing the number of bridleways and improving the off-road riding and driving network. A number of current initiatives, such as Rights of Way Improvement Plans and the Discovering Lost Ways Project, aim to achieve this objective. Local access
forums also play an important role in pressing the case for equestrian access in the development of the bridleway network.
Departmental Budget Review
Mark Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the likely effect will be of the conclusions of his Department’s summer budget review on funds available to the Institute for Grasslands and Environmental Research in each of the next three years. [116052]
Barry Gardiner: No ongoing research projects at the Institute for Grassland and Environmental Research (IGER) have been affected by the recent budgetary reductions. Defra allocated over £150 million to research and development (R&D) in 2006-07, reflecting the value the Department places on research. However R&D spending is not ring-fenced and cannot be protected from other competing pressures.
Defra-funded research at IGER in 2006-07 is currently £5.4 million, with ongoing spend for 2007-08 and 2008-09 at £2.1 million and £1.1 million respectively. Negotiations are progressing for further new research to start at IGER during 2007-08 and subsequently.
Departmental Energy Efficiency
Mr. Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 8 January 2007, Official Report, column 271W, on departmental energy efficiency, what steps he is taking to spread best practice to other Departments and public bodies. [115458]
Ian Pearson: The Carbon Trust and Energy Saving Trust are Government-funded bodies that are working to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.
These bodies work with public sector organisations such as local authorities, schools, the NHS and Government Departments. They spread best practice in both the public and the private sector.
For example, in 2006 the Department of Health, in partnership with the Carbon Trust, published a guide which provides best practice to ensure that everyone involved in managing, procuring and using healthcare buildings and equipment considered the implications of energy use, and it can be found at:
http://www.carbontrust.co.uk/Publicsites/cScape.CT.PublicationsOrdering/PublicationAudit.aspx
Departmental Energy Policy
Mr. Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether he plans to make his Department carbon-neutral. [105746]
Ian Pearson: The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs will meet the commitment for a carbon-neutral central Government estate by 2012 through a package of measures, which include reducing emissions, using renewable energy and only offsetting what cannot be eliminated.
Defra is currently working with the Carbon Trust to implement a carbon management programme which will prioritise activity to maximise energy and carbon savings. The programme will look to develop a systematic approach to carbon management and assist in reducing carbon emissions through operational improvements, reduced energy costs, staff awareness and monitoring initiatives. This activity goes hand in hand with Defra’s own energy efficiency programme, which is focusing on monitoring energy consumption across the estate and identifying opportunities for better managing energy use.
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