Contributions
1,483 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDWater Framework DirectiveWell, I live to make sure that the noble Baroness is not angry and is reassured that this Government are absolutely determined to have the highest science-based evidence to…24 Nov 2022HANSARDWater Framework DirectiveI can absolutely give my noble friend that assurance. The water framework directive is the retained measure of our performance in terms of water quality, but the vehicle that will…24 Nov 2022HANSARDWater Framework DirectiveMy Lords, I too refer noble Lords to my entry in the register. This Government are committed to protecting and enhancing water quality. Reform of retained EU law will not come at…24 Nov 2022HANSARDAir Quality (Designation of Relevant Public Authorities) (England) Regulations 2022My Lords, I am grateful for your support for this measure, which is fairly limited in its extent but can have an important effect. As noble Lords will know, and as the noble…24 Nov 2022HANSARDWater Framework DirectiveYes, I absolutely say that, because we have commitments in the 25-year environment plan and the Environment Act and we have commitments to reverse the decline of species by 2030.…24 Nov 2022HANSARDGenetic Technology (Precision Breeding) BillI am not going to debate with the noble Lord, because he knows much more about this than me, and I know that I would sound even weaker if I just read out a line that has been…21 Nov 2022HANSARDGenetic Technology (Precision Breeding) BillMy Lords, it is a privilege to open the Second Reading of the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Bill. I declare my interests as a farmer. Science, research and development…21 Nov 2022HANSARDGenetic Technology (Precision Breeding) BillThat the Bill be now read a second time.21 Nov 2022HANSARDGenetic Technology (Precision Breeding) BillMy Lords, I thank noble Lords for their insightful and engaging contributions to today’s debate. It undoubtedly shows this House at its best when it draws together scientists,…21 Nov 2022HANSARDAvian FluMy Lords, international collaboration and knowledge exchange is facilitated through the World Organisation for Animal Health by the UK Chief Veterinary Officer and the Animal and…16 Nov 2022HANSARDAvian FluI do agree. On Monday we will debate the Second Reading of the precision breeding Bill. It will take a number of years for the measures in that Bill to become effective, but it…16 Nov 2022HANSARDAvian FluMy noble friend is absolutely right to raise the importance of an international response to this. I assure him that there is almost daily collaboration across the devolved…16 Nov 2022HANSARDAvian FluThe medical advice we have received is that although this is a zoonosis and can therefore be transferred from birds to humans, the risk is low. There was one case in the UK last…16 Nov 2022HANSARDAvian FluThere have been a number of reports of difficulties of supply. I can say that my fingers and toes are crossed when it comes to turkeys for Christmas. On egg supply, about which…16 Nov 2022HANSARDAvian FluI invite my noble friend to join me in my monthly security meeting, which draws together people from across Defra and its agencies, looking at the risks coming from near and far.…16 Nov 2022HANSARDAvian FluThe noble Baroness is right that this is a tragedy for populations of particular seabirds. Bass Rock, just south of Edinburgh, has been white for centuries but is now black; that…16 Nov 2022HANSARDAvian FluI cannot tell the noble Lord that there will never be any problems. I can report that yesterday, for example, there was a park in a town where the council said that it was not its…16 Nov 2022HANSARDSewage DischargesThe right reverend Prelate’s question is very well linked to the point made by the noble Duke, the Duke of Wellington. The urgency of these matters is reflected in the urgency…14 Nov 2022HANSARDSewage DischargesI assure the noble Duke that there is a great sense of urgency in my department. It is an obsession of Ministers; my wife tells me I talk sewage all the time, but I may have…14 Nov 2022HANSARDSewage DischargesMy Lords, in August the Government published the Storm Overflows Discharge Reduction Plan to tackle the unacceptable use of storm overflows. The plan will see £56 billion of…14 Nov 2022