| Previous Section | Index | Home Page |
7 May 2008 : Column 893W—continued
Traffic Management Act 2004
Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when she expects to issue guidance to local authorities in respect of the issuing of fixed penalty notices under the Traffic Management Act 2004. [201263]
Ms Rosie Winterton: The Traffic Management Act 2004 amends the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 to allow the use of fixed penalties for certain offences, as an alternative to prosecution in the magistrates court. The “Code of Practice for the Co-ordination of Street Works and Works for Road Purposes and Related Matters” which was released in July 2007 and re-issued in the 31 March 2008, included a chapter on fixed penalties.
Wales
Council Tax: Valuation
Mr. Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what council tax band amendments in Wales were made subsequent to the 2005 council tax revaluation; and how many homes were moved into a higher band after the revaluation came into effect. [202920]
Mr. Paul Murphy: The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Departmental Carbon Emissions
Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much his Department spent on carbon offsetting in each of the last three years; and to which companies payments for carbon offsetting have been made in each such year. [204096]
Mr. Paul Murphy: My Department has offset its carbon emissions for the last two years.
The costs, to the Wales Office, of offsets were:
April 2007—£4307.80
March 2008—£747.20.
On both occasions the carbon offsetting was through “PURE the clean planet Trust”.
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Agriculture: Disease Control
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which animal disease preventative measures the Government plans to include in cost-sharing arrangements with farmers. [203488]
Jonathan Shaw: A consultation on responsibility and cost sharing for animal health and welfare closed on 15 April. Responses to that consultation will inform a further public consultation on specific proposals later this autumn.
Animal Welfare
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions he has had with the devolved Administrations on a UK-wide animal health and welfare strategy. [203487]
Jonathan Shaw:
An Animal Health and Welfare Strategy for Britain was launched in 2004. Northern Ireland has
a similar strategy and is currently consulting on a draft all-island strategy. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has appointed an advisory body, the England Implementation Group, to oversee delivery of the strategy in England. This group maintains links with its Scottish and Welsh counterparts to review British wide strategy implementation issues.
Badgers
Mr. Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many cage traps for catching badgers his Department holds in store. [203082]
Jonathan Shaw: DEFRA does not hold in storage any cage traps for catching badgers. The traps that were used during the randomised badger culling trial have been disposed of.
The Central Science Laboratory (an agency of DEFRA) holds over 600 badger cage traps which are being used as part of DEFRA-funded research.
Mr. Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the estimated badger population was in England and Wales in each of the last 10 years. [203083]
Joan Ruddock: Surveys of badger populations in Great Britain were undertaken in the mid-1980s and mid-1990s. In the mid-1980s the badger population was estimated to be 250,000 and in the mid-1990s a survey estimated the population had increased by 77 per cent.
DEFRA is not aware of any national surveys which have attempted to estimate badger populations in England and Wales.
Mr. Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what advice he has received on the potential effectiveness of a tuberculosis vaccine for badgers if given to an already infected animal. [203084]
Jonathan Shaw: Vaccination evokes an immune response to prevent an uninfected animal from contracting the disease. The effect of Bacille Calmette Guerin (BCG) vaccination on already TB-infected badgers is unknown, but work is under way to determine this. It may have no effect, may delay or reduce excretion of TB bacilli, but is not expected to have any adverse effect.
Ecologists have advised that the turnover in a badger population is 30 per cent. per annum and modelling has shown that in a relatively short timescale there would be a mostly naïve uninfected population in which vaccine would become more effective.
Mr. Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what information (a) is held by and (b) has been provided to each Divisional Veterinary Officer on the relocation of badgers from urban and suburban areas to rural areas. [203085]
Jonathan Shaw: This information is not collected centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost to the Department.
Biofuels: Environment Protection
Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research his Department is undertaking on the environmental impact of biofuels. [202824]
Mr. Woolas: The Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) includes a reporting mechanism under which any transport fuel supplier wishing to claim a certificate in respect of any biofuel must submit a report detailing its environmental impacts. These reports will enable the Renewable Fuels Agency (RFA) to report regularly on the progress that is being made towards meeting targets under the obligation, as well as on the carbon savings and sustainability impacts of the policy.
In response to Government concern about the indirect impacts of biofuel cultivation, the chairman of the Renewable Fuels Agency is leading a study commissioned by the Department for Transport (the Gallagher Review) which is looking at effects of biofuels on land use change and the consequences for greenhouse gas savings. It is also examining the effects on international food prices and food security. The results of the review will inform the development of future UK biofuel policies and targets, including proposed EU targets for future biofuel consumption.
Birds: Conservation
Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations he has received on the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds' plans for sites of special scientific interest land in Castle Point constituency; and if he will make a statement. [203665]
Joan Ruddock: Natural England is DEFRA's delivery body for sites of special scientific interest (SSSIs) and it has received no proposals from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds in relation to plans for SSSIs in Castle Point.
Bluetongue Disease: Disease Control
Mr. Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what procedures are used to ensure that imported exotic livestock which are susceptible to or may be infected with bluetongue disease are kept in an insect-free environment for the duration of their quarantine. [203079]
Jonathan Shaw: The UK fully implements EU legislation with respect to imports of exotic ruminant animals from outside the EU. These rules take into account the full range of disease risks and are consequently very restrictive. In practice, such imports rarely occur so the question of quarantine does not arise.
Movements of exotic ruminants within the EU are subject to the same rules as those for farm livestock. There are a number of options based on combinations of protection from insect vector attack, blood testing and vaccination, all of which are carried out before departure and certified by the official veterinary
services of the exporting country. These rules are kept under constant review in the light of experience and emerging science.
Once animals have arrived in the UK, they are restricted to the premises of destination and tested for bluetongue within two days of arrival. In exotic species, testing is carried out on the basis of a risk assessment.
Mr. Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions he has had with manufacturers of Bt8 vaccine other than Intervet on supplying the UK market. [203080]
Jonathan Shaw: Since the Government decided to place an order with Intervet for 22.5 million doses of BTV-8 vaccine following a tender issued last year, DEFRA officials have met representatives from Merial and Fort Dodge to give them feedback on the tender process.
We are considering with the farming industry how best to secure future supplies of vaccine and will keep our options under review in the coming weeks.
Bovine Tuberculosis: Compensation
Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) from which individuals and organisations his Department has sought advice on modifications to the table valuation system for compensation for cattle culled as a result of bovine tuberculosis in the last 12 months; [203451]
(2) what options for modifications to the table valuation system for compensation for cattle culled as a result of bovine tuberculosis he has considered; [203452]
(3) when he expects to make modifications to the table valuation system for compensation for cattle culled as a result of bovine tuberculosis. [203453]
Jonathan Shaw: The Government recognise that the new compensation system, based on table valuations, which was introduced in February 2006, is not supported by many in the farming industry.
DEFRA has not ruled out the possibility of changes to the current compensation system, but any changes would need to be justified and take into account the interests of all parties, including taxpayers. They would also need to take account of the extensive evidence in the level of over-valuation experienced under the previous system based on individual valuations. DEFRA held discussions with members of the Cattle Compensation Advisory Group about possible modifications to the new system without reaching any consensus. Discussions have also taken place with representatives from the organic farming sector to consider their view that system enhancements are needed for organically produced cattle.
A Judicial Review challenge concerning the table valuation system will be heard in the High Court in early June and any decisions about modifications to the system will take into account the judgment in that case.
Burbots: Imports
Sir George Young: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when he will reply to the request from the University of Southampton, London Zoo and the Environment Agency for an import licence for burbots. [203816]
Jonathan Shaw: We are in dialogue with the University of Southampton, London Zoo and the Environment Agency and are working collaboratively to find a solution to this situation.
Climate Change
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions he has had with (a) wildlife trusts and (b) gardening associations on their evaluation of the impact of climate change; and what encouragement he is giving to them to measure that impact. [198240]
Joan Ruddock: I am in regular contact with a wide range of interest groups on the impact of climate change.
The England Biodiversity Group, chaired by DEFRA, oversees the delivery of the England Biodiversity Strategy which has several workstreams including Climate Change Adaptation. A number of national and local members of Wildlife Trusts are active members of different workstreams within the strategy and have the opportunity to offer their views on climate change and to influence the workstreams plans towards adaptation. In 2007 the UK Biodiversity Partnership Standing Committee published “Conserving Biodiversity—the UK Approach” a new strategic framework for the UK biodiversity action plan, which identified shared priorities for action for priority species and habitats, acknowledging the need to help biodiversity respond to climate change. The Wildlife Trusts belong to the Wildlife and Countryside Link who are members of the UK Biodiversity Partnership Standing Committee.
DEFRA has had discussions with members of the Growing Media Initiative (GMI), an industry-led group which has been set up to meet targets for the reduction of peat use in horticulture/gardening. A new project has also been funded by DEFRA to examine the greenhouse gas emissions associated with the extraction, production, processing, transport and use of growing media used by this sector and members of the GMI are involved in the Project Steering Group. In addition, DEFRA is aware that a number of growing media manufacturers and retailers are undertaking work to determine the carbon footprint of their products. DEFRA funds the UK Climate Impacts Programme, which will be hosting a stall at this year’s Chelsea Flower show to promote awareness of current and projected climate change impacts.
Departmental Manpower
Mr. Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which offices of (a) his Department and (b) its agencies are outside London; how many staff were employed in each pay grade at each location on (i) 1 October 2001 and (ii) 1 April 2004; and how many are planned to be employed at each location on 31 March 2008. [180757]
Jonathan Shaw: DEFRA has offices outside London at the following locations: Alnwick, Aston Down, Belfast, Beverley, Boston, Bristol Burghill Road, Bristol Temple Quay House, Bury St. Edmunds, Cambridge Eastbrook, Cambridge White House Lane, Cardiff Cathays Park, Cardiff Llanishen, Carlisle, Chelmsford, Cheltenham, Chichester, Chorley, Crewe Electra Way, Edinburgh, Exeter, Felixstowe, Gatwick, Guildford, Heathrow AHO, Heathrow PHSI, Hereford, Kings Lynn, Leeds, Lewes, Lincoln, Newcastle, Northallerton, Northampton, Norwich, Nottingham, Peterborough, Polwhele, Reading Coley Park, Reading Kings House, Reading Innovation Centre, Sheerness, Shrewsbury, St. Asaph, Stafford, Stevenage, Swansea, Taunton Quantock House, Taunton Riverside Chambers, Tilbury, Trowbridge, Truro, Tunbridge Wells, Weybridge, Winchester, Witney, Wolverhampton, Worcester, Workington, Wye and York.
DEFRA's agencies have offices outside London as follows:
Aberystwyth, Ashford, Ayr, Bakewell, Beverley, Boston, Bristol, Bristol Temple Quay House, Bury St. Edmunds, Caernarfon, Cambridge, Cardiff, Carlisle, Carmarthen, Chelmsford, Chorley, Crewe, Dorchester, Dover, Dumfries, Elgin, Exeter, Galashiels, Gloucester, Hamilton, Heathrow, Inverness, Inverurie, Itchen Abbas, Kirkwall, Launceston, Leeds, Leicester, Lincoln, Llandrindod Wells, Llanishen, Luddington, Maidstone, Newcastle, Northallerton, Northampton, Norwich, Nottingham, Oban, Oxford, Perth, Preston, Reading, Reigate, Shrewsbury, St. Asaph, Stafford, Stevenage, Stranraer, Taunton, Thurso, Trowbridge, Truro, Wolverhampton, Worcester, Wye and York.
Central Science Laboratory:
Sand Hutton York and Woodchester Park
Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture:
Government Decontamination Service:
Amble, Brixham, Fleetwood, Grimsby, Hartlepool, Harwich, Hastings, Holyhead, Kings Lynn, Lowestoft, Milford Haven, Newlyn, North Shield, Penryn, Penzance, Plymouth, Poole, Portslade, Portsmouth, Scarborough and Whitehaven.
Pesticides Safety Directorate:
York Foss House and York Mallard House.
Reading, Carlisle, Exeter, Newcastle, Northallerton and Workington.
Veterinary Laboratories Agency:
Aberystwyth, Bury St Edmunds, Carmarthen, Langford, Lasswade, Luddington, Newcastle, Penrith, Preston, Shrewsbury, Starcross, Sutton Bonnington, Thirsk, Truro, Weybridge and Winchester.
Veterinary Medicines Directorate:
The number of staff in grade at each location for CSL and RPA are shown in the following tables. Information on the number of staff in each pay grade at each location for DEFRA, AH, CEFAS, GDS, MFA, PSD, VLA and VMD is not available for the dates requested.
| Central Science Laboratory | |||||||||
| Number | |||||||||
| Note: ‘Other’ category contains home-based staff and others not based at either main CSL site. | |||||||||
| Next Section | Index | Home Page |