Contributions
547 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDMarine Protected AreasEarlier the hon. Member mentioned a potential oil and gas project. This is one example of how we will ensure that environmental concerns are fundamental to any approval. Clearly,…02 May 2023HANSARDMarine Protected AreasIt is a real pleasure to serve under your chairmanship. Mr Sharma. Although this topic does not fall under my brief at DEFRA, but rather that of my noble Friend Lord Benyon in the…02 May 2023HANSARDIllicit Fur TradeWe currently restrict imports of fur and fur products from cats and dogs, fur from wild animals caught using non-compliant trapping methods, and fur from endangered species. We…30 Mar 2023HANSARDIllicit Fur TradeThe hon. Gentleman is correct: fur farming has been banned since 2000 in England and Wales and since 2002 in Scotland and Northern Ireland. We published a formal call for evidence…30 Mar 2023HANSARDIllicit Fur TradeWe have committed to exploring potential action in relation to animal fur, as set out in the action plan for animal welfare. We have conducted the call for evidence, and we…30 Mar 2023HANSARDRural CommunitiesWe want to ensure that rural areas and the people living within them are absolutely given the opportunity to flourish. We are supporting rural businesses in communities with £5…30 Mar 2023HANSARDRural CommunitiesWhat a tree-mendous question! Trees have transformed that previously scarred landscape, and I assure my hon. Friend that I also appreciate the lungs of Leicestershire, creating…30 Mar 2023HANSARDRural CommunitiesThe hon. Gentleman raises a technical question. I am happy to liaise with my colleagues in the Department for Transport on that particular matter, and I will write to him with a…30 Mar 2023HANSARDRural CommunitiesThere is a plethora of support, particularly around energy with the household support fund and including from my colleagues in the Department for Business and Trade—the artist…30 Mar 2023HANSARDPublic Access to NatureConnectivity to rural areas is vitally important to us. As I have already set out this morning, we are spending millions on ensuring that rural areas thrive and that people have…30 Mar 2023HANSARDPublic Access to NatureActually, that decision was taken in 2000, and we have extended the date from 2026 to 2031. I remind the hon. Member of the measures that we are taking to improve access to nature…30 Mar 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsYes, I absolutely will. I understand the proportionality required on this issue to protect nature and improve the lives and livelihoods of people living in protected landscapes.30 Mar 2023HANSARDHunting Trophies (Import Prohibition) BillI would like to confirm that the Government are minded to accept both new clause 4 and amendment 1, for reasons I will go into later in the debate. I am pleased to understand that…17 Mar 2023HANSARDHunting Trophies (Import Prohibition) BillI will of course give way to my esteemed colleague.17 Mar 2023HANSARDHunting Trophies (Import Prohibition) BillI thank all colleagues, both those who have spoken in today’s debate and those who have played their part in making this legislation possible. I particularly thank my hon. Friend…17 Mar 2023HANSARDHunting Trophies (Import Prohibition) BillMy right hon. Friend is correct. We have accepted this amendment because we want the Bill to progress in not only the Commons but the Lords. The import ban will cover all species…17 Mar 2023HANSARDHunting Trophies (Import Prohibition) BillThe right hon. Gentleman invites me to make promises on timings that I simply cannot make. However, some of the concerns that have been raised today and that will be raised in the…17 Mar 2023HANSARDHunting Trophies (Import Prohibition) BillI thank all Members who have contributed to the debate, and I also thank those Members who, sadly, are not able to contribute to the debate but have been instrumental in enabling…17 Mar 2023HANSARD Animals (Low Welfare Activities Abroad) BillI know how important the Bill is to you, Mr Deputy Speaker, so I am delighted to see you in the Chair. Today is a tremendous day for animals worldwide. We have been collegiate in…17 Mar 2023HANSARDHunting Trophies (Import Prohibition) BillMadam Deputy Speaker, you will excuse me from being drawn into that wider argument. To return to the crux of this debate, since the Bill Committee, we have published the…17 Mar 2023