Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
WEDNESDAY 15 JULY 2015
Members present:
Neil Parish1, in the Chair
Sarah Champion Dr Paul Monaghan Chris Davies Rebecca Pow Jim Fitzpatrick Ms Margaret Ritchie Harry Harpham Rishi Sunak Simon Hart
1. Declarations of interest
Members declared their interests, in accordance with the Resolution of the House 13 July 1992 (See Appendix).
2. Committee working methods
Resolved, That the Chair be authorised to fix the date, time and agenda of the Committee's meetings; and to deal with routine correspondence on the Committee's behalf and hold informal meetings with interested parties on the Committee's behalf, and to report thereon to the Committee.
Resolved, That the Chair be authorised to provide light refreshment to witnesses attending the Committee.
Resolved, That the Committee examine witnesses in public, except where it otherwise orders.
Resolved, That the Committee shall not consider individual cases.
Resolved, That the Committee staff be authorised to provide an informal indication of probable lines of questioning to witnesses before they appear, to ensure that the information required by the Committee is available at the meeting.
3. Defra performance in 2014-15
1 Neil Parish was elected as the Chair of the Committee on 18 June 2015, in accordance with Standing Order No. 122B. Resolved, That the Committee inquire into the performance, priorities and future plans of the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
Resolved, That the Committee take oral evidence from the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and from the Permanent Secretary, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
4. Common Agricultural Policy
Resolved, That the Committee inquire into the Common Agricultural Policy.
Resolved, That the Committee take oral evidence from the Rural Payments Agency.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 8 September at 2 pm
Appendix
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
The following Members declared their interests as follows at the Committee's meeting on Wednesday 15 July 2015:
Parish, Neil (Tiverton and Honiton)
1. Land and property: (i) value over £100,000 (ii) rental income of over £10,000 a year
Family farm in Somerset: (i) and (ii)
2. Family members employed and paid from parliamentary expenses
I employ my wife, Susan Parish, as Junior Secretary.
Champion, Sarah (Rotherham)
1. Employment and earnings
Payments from Ipsos MORI, 79-81 Borough Road, London SE1 1FY:
Received £200 for completing a questionnaire. Hours: 90 mins. (Registered 16 February 2015)
2. (b) Any other support not included in Category 2(a)
Name of donor: Fundraiser organized by myself and another Labour MP Address of donor: n/a
Amount of donation or nature and value if donation in kind: £8,706.83 was raised of which I received £3,706.83 for my General Election funds
Date of receipt: 13 November 2014
Date of acceptance: 13 November 2014
Donor status: n/a
(Registered 04 December 2014)
4. Visits outside the UK
Name of donor: Diplocat
Address of donor: Avenue Diagonal, 418, 1r 2a 08037 Barcelona
Amount of donation (or estimate of the probable value): travel and accommodation at a cost of £1,000
Destination of visit: Barcelona
Date of visit: 28-30 May 2014
Purpose of visit: To develop understanding of regional and national issues.
(Registered 16 June 2014)
Name of donor: Taipei Representative Office in the UK
Address of donor: 50 Grosvenor Gardens, London SW1W 0EB
Amount of donation (or estimate of the probable value): £3,640 total including flights costing £2,350, hotels costing £900, meals costing £250 and transportation costing £140
Destination of visit: Taiwan
Date of visit: 19-26 October 2014
Purpose of visit: to study the transport infrastructure in Taiwan.
(Registered 07 November 2014)
Davies, Chris (Brecon and Radnorshire) Nil
Fitzpatrick, Jim (Poplar and Limehouse)
1. Employment and earnings
Fee for survey from ComRes, 4 Millbank, London, SW1P 3JA:
April 2014, £75 for April 2014 parliamentary panel survey. Hours: approx. 1 hr. Payment donated to charity. (Registered 18 June 2014)
October 2014, £75 for July 2014 parliamentary panel survey. Hours: 30 mins. Payment donated to charity. (Registered 13 October 2014)
February 2015, £75 for November 2014 parliamentary panel survey. Hours: approx. 30 mins. Payment donated to charity. (Registered 25 March 2015)
Fees from YouGov, 50 Featherstone St, London EC1Y 8RT, for online surveys:
June 2014, £80 for online survey. Hours: approx. 1 hr. Payment donated to charity. (Registered 18 June 2014)
2. (a) Support linked to an MP but received by a local party organisation or indirectly via a central party organisation
Name of donor: Canary Wharf Group PLC
Address of donor: One Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London E14 5AB
Amount of donation or nature and value if donation in kind: provision of venue hire, value £8,200 and table centerpieces, value £630; total £8,830, for a fundraising event held on 19 November 2014, as registered below.
Donor status: company, registration 04191122
(Registered 16 March 2015)
Name of donor: Tower Hamlets Labour Party
Address of donor: 349 Cambridge Heath Road, London E2 9RA
Amount of donation or nature and value if donation in kind: fundraising event at which £7,500 was raised for election campaigning, including the registrable donations listed below.
Donor status: unincorporated association (Registered 16 March 2015)
Name of donor: Canary Wharf Group PLC
Address of donor: One Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London E14 5AB
Amount of donation or nature and value if donation in kind: £2,500
Donor status: company, registration 04191122
(Registered 16 March 2015)
Name of donor: London Tea Exchange
Address of donor: 232 Brick Lane, London E2 7EB
Amount of donation or nature and value if donation in kind: £4,500
Donor status: company, registration 08494048
(Registered 16 March 2015)
Name of donor: Mark Scanlon
Address of donor: private
Amount of donation or nature and value if donation in kind: £2,000 towards election campaigning
Donor status: individual
(Registered 19 March 2015)
8. Miscellaneous
Member of Public Policy Committee of the RAC Foundation, 89-91 Pall Mall, London SW1Y 5HS; unremunerated. (Registered 08 February 2013)
Hart, Simon (Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire)
1. Employment and earnings
Payments received as Trustee of the Sundorne Estate. Payments for administration and attending meetings made by Balfours, Windsor House, Windsor Place, Shrewsbury SY1 2BY.
£895 received in November 2014. Hours: 5 hrs. (Registered 08 December 2014) Payments from ComRes, Four Millbank, London SW1P 3JA, for completing Parliamentary Panel Surveys:
£75 received in June 2014. Hours: 15 mins. (Registered 18 June 2014)
£75 received in July 2014. Hours: 15 mins. (Registered 20 August 2014)
£75 received in September 2014. Hours: 15 mins. (Registered 16 October 2014)
£75 received in November 2014. Hours: 15 mins. (Registered 04 December 2014)
£75 received in February 2015. Hours: 15 mins. (Registered 26 February 2015)
£75 received in April 2015. Hours: 15 mins. (Registered 04 June 2015)
Outdoor education consultant (Updated 18 June 2013) to the Countryside Alliance, 367 Kennington Road, London SE11 4PT, for which I receive a fee of £5,000 per quarter for 6 hours per week. Contract renewed for 1 June 2014 to 31 May 2015 (Updated 14 August 2014). (Registered 15 October 2012)
Quarterly payment of £5,000, received 14 July 2014. Hours: 78 hrs. (Registered 13 August 2014)
Quarterly payment of £5,000, received 13 March 2014. Hours: 78 hrs. (Registered 17 March 2015)
Payments from YouGov, 50 Featherstone Street, London EC1Y 8RT, for completing Parliamentary Panel Surveys:
£80 received in June 2014. Hours: 15 mins. (Registered 10 June 2014)
£100 received in April 2015. Hours: 15 mins. (Registered 04 June 2015)
Payments from Ipsos MORI, 79-81 Borough Road, London SE1 1FY, for completing surveys:
September 2014, received payment of £200. Hours: 1.5 hrs. (Registered 16 October 2014)
12 March 2015, payment of £150 from Time Inc (UK) Ltd, Blue Fin Building, 110 Southwark Street, London SE1 0SU, for an article. Hours: 30 mins. (Registered 24 March 2015)
2. (a) Support linked to an MP but received by a local party organisation or indirectly via a central party organisation
Name of donor: Mr David Lowes Address of donor: private Amount of donation or nature and value if donation in kind: £2,500 205
Donor status: individual (Registered 17 June 2014)
Name of donor: Johan Christofferson Address of donor: private Amount of donation or nature and value if donation in kind: £10,000 Donor status: individual (Registered 11 August 2014) Name of donor: Offshore Group Newcastle Ltd Address of donor: OGN House, Hadrian Way, NE 28 6HL Amount of donation or nature and value if donation in kind: £10,000 Donor status: company, registration 06390883 (Registered 22 September 2014)
Name of donor: Johan Christofferson Address of donor: private Amount of donation or nature and value if donation in kind: £10,000 Donor status: individual (Registered 02 February 2015)
Name of donor: Mr David Lowes Address of donor: private Amount of donation or nature and value if donation in kind: £2,000 Donor status: individual (Registered 16 March 2015)
9. Family members employed and paid from parliamentary expenses
I employ my wife, Abigail Kate Hart, as part-time Office Manager.
Harpham, Harry (Sheffield, Brightside and Hillsborough)
1. Employment and earnings
29 May 2015, received £15,589 redundancy, basic and holiday pay for my work for David Blunkett MP prior to my election. Hours: no hours since the Election. (Registered 08 June 2015)
29 May 2015, received £447.84 as a Councillor, Sheffield City Council, City Hall, Sheffield S1 2HH. Hours: no hours since the Election. (Registered 08 June 2015)
2. (a) Support linked to an MP but received by a local party organisation or indirectly via a central party organisation
Name of donor: Unite the Union
Address of donor: 55 Call Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 7BW
Amount of donation or nature and value if donation in kind: leaflets, direct mail, phone bank, valued at £7,822.60
Donor status: trade union
(Registered 08 June 2015)
9. Family members employed and paid from parliamentary expenses
I employ my wife, Gill Furniss, as part-time Researcher. (Registered 08 June 2015)
Monaghan, Paul (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross)
1. Employment and earnings
Since 1 December 2008, Director and General Manager of the Highland Homeless Trust, 57 Church Street, Inverness IV1 1DR. Paid £3,536.58 per month, until further notice. Hours: 160 hrs per month. (Registered 15 May 2015)
9. Family members employed and paid from parliamentary expenses
I employ my brother, Mark Innes Monaghan, as Constituency Communications Manager. (Registered 15 May 2015)
Pow, Rebecca (Taunton Deane)
1. Employment and earnings
2 June 2015, received £2,050.40 from Somerset Chamber of Commerce, Equity House, Blackbrook Park Ave, Taunton TA1 2PX for a course delivered before the election. (Registered 02 June 2015)
2. (a) Support linked to an MP but received by a local party organisation or indirectly via a central party organisation
Name of donor: Philip Gibbs Address of donor: private Amount of donation or nature and value if donation in kind: £12,500 Donor status: individual (Registered 02 June 2015)
Name of donor: Robert Brooks Address of donor: private Amount of donation or nature and value if donation in kind: £5,000 Donor status: individual (Registered 02 June 2015)
Name of donor: Stalbury Trustees Address of donor: 61 Hill Street, London W1J 5LS Amount of donation or nature and value if donation in kind: £5,000 Donor status: company, registration 01430799 (Registered 02 June 2015)
Name of donor: Bert Weigman Address of donor: private Amount of donation or nature and value if donation in kind: £5,000 Donor status: individual (Registered 02 June 2015)
Name of donor: Ben Goldsmith Address of donor: private Amount of donation or nature and value if donation in kind: £2,500 Donor status: individual (Registered 02 June 2015)
6. Land and property: (i) value over £100,000 (ii) rental income of over £10,000 a year
House in Somerset: (i) and (ii). (Registered 02 June 2015)
House in Somerset, owned jointly with my sister: (i) and (ii). (Registered 02 June 2015) Agricultural land owned jointly with other family members: (i) and (ii) including income from a telecom mast. (Registered 02 June 2015)
Commercial building in Somerset, of which I own a 10 percent share: (i) and (ii). (Registered 02 June 2015)
8. Miscellaneous
Trustee of Somerset Wildlife Trust, unpaid. (Registered 02 June 2015)
Council Member of Royal Bath-West Society, unpaid. (Registered 02 June 2015) 372
Ritchie, Margaret (South Down)
8. Miscellaneous
President of St Patrick’s Choral Society. This position is not remunerated. (Registered 07 April 2014)
Sunak, Rishi (Richmond (Yorks))
6. Land and property: (i) value over £100,000 (ii) rental income of over £10,000 a year
Flat in London: (i) (Registered 05 June 2015)
TUESDAY 8 SEPTEMBER
Members present:
Neil Parish, in the Chair
Chris Davies Rebecca Pow Jim Fitzpatrick Ms Margaret Ritchie Harry Harpham David Simpson Simon Hart Rishi Sunak
1. Declarations of interest
David Simpson declared his interests, in accordance with the Resolution of the House of 13 July 1992. (See appendix).
2. Bovine TB
Resolved, That the Committee seek a memorandum from the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the timing of publication of results of badger control operations.
3. Dairy prices
Resolved, That the Committee inquire into Dairy prices.
Resolved, That the Committee take evidence from the EU Commission; representatives of the devolved UK Administrations and their relevant Committees; and the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
Sian Davies, Chief Dairy Adviser, and Michael Oakes, Dairy Board Vice-Chairman, National Farmers Union; Dr Judith Bryan, Chief Executive Officer, and Peter Dawson, Policy and Sustainability Director, Dairy UK; and George Eustice MP, Minister of State for Farming, Food and the Marine Environment, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, gave oral evidence.
[Adjourned till Wednesday 9 September at 2 pm
Appendix Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
David Simpson declared his interests as follows at the Committee's meeting on Tuesday 8 September 2015:
Simpson, David (Upper Bann) 1. Employment and earnings Universal Meat Company, 17A Derrycoose Road, Annaghmore, BT62 1LY. Meat importers/exporters. Advisory role: dealing with banks. Payments of £3,000 will be made quarterly from September 2009.
2. Land and property: (i) value over £100,000 (ii) rental income of over £10,000 a year Farmlands, 17 Derrycoose Road, Annaghmore, Portadown, BT62 1LY: (i) and (ii) Farmlands, Derryhirk Road, Dungannon: (i) and (ii).
WEDNESDAY 9 SEPTEMBER 2015
Members present:
Neil Parish, in the Chair
Sarah Champion Dr Paul Monaghan Chris Davies Rebecca Pow Jim Fitzpatrick Ms Margaret Ritchie Harry Harpham David Simpson Simon Hart Rishi Sunak
Future programme
The Committee discussed this matter.
[Adjourned till Wednesday 16 September at 2 pm
WEDNESDAY 16 SEPTEMBER 2015
Members present:
Neil Parish, in the Chair
Chris Davies Dr Paul Monaghan Jim Fitzpatrick Ms Margaret Ritchie Harry Harpham David Simpson Simon Hart Rishi Sunak
1. Common Agricultural Policy
Mark Grimshaw, Chief Executive Officer, Rural Payments Agency, gave oral evidence.
2. Committee working methods
The Committee discussed this matter.
3. Farmgate prices
Resolved, That the Committee inquire into Farmgate prices.
4. Greyhound welfare
Resolved, That the Committee inquire into Greyhound welfare.
5. Air quality
Resolved, That the Committee inquire into Air quality.
[Adjourned till Wednesday 14 October at 2 pm
WEDNESDAY 14 OCTOBER 2015
Members present:
Neil Parish, in the Chair
Chris Davies Rebecca Pow Jim Fitzpatrick Ms Margaret Ritchie Harry Harpham David Simpson Simon Hart Rishi Sunak Dr Paul Monaghan
1. Greyhound welfare
Resolved, That the Committee inquire into Greyhound welfare.
Resolved, That the Committee appoint a sub-committee.
Resolved, That Neil Parish be appointed Chair of the sub-committee.
Resolved, That Jim Fitzpatrick, Simon Hart, Dr Paul Monaghan and Ms Margaret Ritchie be members of the sub-committee.
Resolved, That the sub-committee consider Greyhound welfare.
2. Future programme
Resolved, That the Committee visit the Rural Payments Agency headquarters, Reading.
[Adjourned till Wednesday 21 October at 2 pm
WEDNESDAY 21 OCTOBER 2015
Members present:
Neil Parish, in the Chair
Chris Davies Rebecca Pow Jim Fitzpatrick Ms Margaret Ritchie Simon Hart David Simpson Dr Paul Monaghan Rishi Sunak
1. Farmgate prices
Ordered, That the following written evidence relating to Farmgate prices be reported to the House for publication:
Agriculture And Horticulture Development Board Arla Foods Uk Ltd Asda British Retail Consortium British Veterinary Assocation Burson-Marsteller Dairy Uk Defra Groceries Code Adjudicator Mr Jonathan, Paul Graham Mrs. Susan Atkinson National Farmers Union National Pig Association National Sheep Association NFU Scotland NI Assembly Paul Tompkins School And Nursery Milk Aliance Stable Farming Tenant Farmers Association Tesco The International Meat Trade Association Ulster Farmers Union Unite The Union Waitrose
2. Defra performance in 2014–15
Ordered, That written evidence relating to Defra performance in 2014-15 submitted by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs be reported to the House for publication.
Rt Hon Elizabeth Truss MP, Secretary of State, George Eustice MP, Minister of State, Rory Stewart MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, and Lord Gardiner of Kimble, Lords spokesman, Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, gave oral evidence.
[Adjourned till Wednesday 28 October at 2 pm
WEDNESDAY 28 OCTOBER 2015
Members present:
Neil Parish, in the Chair
Chris Davies Rebecca Pow Jim Fitzpatrick Ms Margaret Ritchie Simon Hart David Simpson Dr Paul Monaghan Rishi Sunak
Farmgate prices
Phil Bicknell, Head of Food and Farming, National Farmers’ Union, Lizzie Wilson, Policy Services Officer, National Pig Association, and Phil Stocker, Chief Executive, National Sheep Association, gave oral evidence.
[Adjourned till Wednesday 4 November at 2 pm
WEDNESDAY 18 NOVEMBER 2015
Members present:
Neil Parish, in the Chair
Chris Davies Ms Margaret Ritchie Simon Hart David Simpson Dr Paul Monaghan Angela Smith Rebecca Pow Rishi Sunak
1. Declaration of interests
Angela Smith declared her interests in accordance with the Resolution of the House of 13 July 1992. (See Appendix)
2. Forward programme
Resolved, That the Committee hold jointly with the Health Committee a pre-appointment hearing on the Government’s favoured candidate as Chair of the Food Standards Agency.
3. Air quality Resolved, That the Committee take oral evidence on transport-related aspects of Air quality.
3. Greyhound welfare
Ordered, That the following written evidence relating to Greyhound welfare be reported to the House for publication:
Grey2k Usa Worldwide Ms Liz Carlton Stanley Wright Ms Philippa Jones Ms Lisa Clarke Ms Lorraine Cannock Mr Ian Moran League Against Cruel Sports Vicki Fowkes Mrs Maria Lockley Miss LW Miss Maureen Day Greyhound Crusaders Greyhound Compassion Inclusive Lifestyle Fitness Miss J Allcock Mr Derek Sheppard Betty & Butch Ltd Miss Jenny Yu Catherine Lowe Greyhound Forum Battersea Dogs & Cats Home Greyhound Rescue West Of England British Greyhound Racing Fund Department For Culture, Media And Sport Dogs Trust Rspca Blue Cross Mrs Kay Race Mr Julian Asher Dr Damian Allcock JS Mr Christopher Robertson Beverley Harper Ms Liz Reid Association Of Greyhound Track Vets (Agtv) Dr MD Society Of Greyhound Veterinarians Christopher Snoop Miss Laura Slade Wimbledon Greyhound Welfare Greyhound Board Of Great Britain Retired Greyhound Trust Bookmakers Afternoon Greyhound Service Limited The Association Of British Bookmakers British Horseracing Authority Bridget Graham Department For Environment, Food And Rural Affairs Katharine Bird Mrs LB Greyhound Awareness Welfare And Protection UK Caged North West
4. Defra performance in 2014-15
Ordered, That written evidence relating to Defra performance in 2014-15 submitted by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs be reported to the House for publication.
5. Farmgate prices
Ordered, That written evidence relating to Farmgate prices submitted by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board be reported to the House for publication.
6. Committee working methods The Committee discussed this matter.
7. Defra’s 25-year plan for farming The Committee discussed this matter.
[Adjourned till Wednesday 25 November at 2 pm
Appendix
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
The following Members declared their interests as follows at the Committee's meeting on Wednesday 18 November:
Smith, Angela (Penistone and Stocksbridge)
2. (b) Any other support not included in Category 2(a) Name of donor: Fundraiser organised by myself and another Labour MP Address of donor: n/a Amount of donation or nature and value if donation in kind: £8,706.83 was raised of which I received £3,960 for my General Election funds Date of receipt: 13 November 2014 Date of acceptance: 13 November 2014 Donor status: n/a (Registered 10 December 2014) Name of donor: Dr Brian May Address of donor: private Amount of donation or nature and value if donation in kind: £5,000 Date received: 15 April 2015 Date accepted: 15 April 2015 Donor status: individual (Registered 03 June 2015)
9. Family members employed and paid from parliamentary expenses I employ my husband, Steven Wilson, as Senior Parliamentary Researcher.
WEDNESDAY 25 NOVEMBER 2015
Members present:
Neil Parish, in the Chair
Chris Davies Ms Margaret Ritchie Jim Fitzpatrick David Simpson Simon Hart Angela Smith Dr Paul Monaghan Rishi Sunak Rebecca Pow
1. Greyhound welfare
Ordered, That the following written evidence relating to Greyhound welfare be reported to the House for publication.
Greyt Exploitations Greyhound Trainers Association Association of Greyhound Track Vets
2. Farmgate prices
Ordered, That written evidence relating to Farmgate prices from Northern Ireland Meat Exporters Association be reported to the House for publication.
Heather Jenkins, Director of Buying for Meat, Poultry, Fish, Frozen Food, Dairy and Agriculture Strategy, Waitrose, and Julie Ashfield, Group Buying Director, Aldi, gave oral evidence.
[Adjourned till Wednesday 2 December at 2 pm
WEDNESDAY 2 DECEMBER 2015
Members present:
Neil Parish, in the Chair
Simon Hart David Simpson Dr Paul Monaghan Angela Smith Rebecca Pow Rishi Sunak Ms Margaret Ritchie
Farmgate prices
Christine Tacon, Groceries Code Adjudicator; and George Eustice MP, Minister of State for Farming, Food and the Marine Environment, Mark Filley, Team Leader – Livestock, Dairy and Genetic resources, Defra, Tim Mordan, Deputy Director, Farming Sectors Team, Defra gave oral evidence.
[Adjourned till Wednesday 9th December at 2 pm
WEDNESDAY 9 DECEMBER 2015
Members present:
Neil Parish, in the Chair
Chris Davies Rebecca Pow Jim Fitzpatrick Ms Margaret Ritchie Simon Hart Angela Smith Dr Paul Monaghan Rishi Sunak
1. Defra performance in 2014-15 Draft Report (Defra performance in 2014-15), proposed by the Chair, brought up and read.
The draft Report was agreed to; the Formal Minutes relating to the consideration of the Report are published in the First Report from the Committee, HC 443, Session 2015–16.
2. Greyhound welfare
Ordered, That the supplementary written evidence relating to Greyhound Welfare submitted by the British Greyhound Racing Fund and Greyhound Rescue West of England be reported to the House for publication.
4. Winter floods 2015-16
Resolved, That the Committee inquire into Winter floods 2015-16.
5. Air quality
Ordered, That the following written evidence relating to Air quality be reported to the House for publication:
British Heart Foundation British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association Building Engineering Services Association Calor Gas Ltd Campaign For Air Pollution Public Inquiry Campaign For Air Pollution Public Inquiry Ciwem Cpl Industries Defra Dr Richard Lofthouse Freight Transport Association Gatwick Airport Ltd Green Alliance Institute Of Air Quality Management Joint Nature Conservation Committee King's College London Local Government Association Mineral Products Association National Physical Laboratory Professor Mark Sutton Royal College Of Physicians Society Of Motor Manufacturers And Traders (Smmt) Sustainable Aviation UK Hydrogen And Fuel Cell Association
Professor Paul Wilkinson, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Professor Martin Williams, Kings College, Professor Mark Sutton, Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Edinburgh; and Simon Birkett, Clean Air London and Alan Andrews, ClientEarth, gave oral evidence.
[Adjourned till Wednesday 16 December at 2 pm
WEDNESDAY 16 DECEMBER 2015
Members present:
Neil Parish, in the Chair
Chris Davies Rebecca Pow Jim Fitzpatrick Ms Margaret Ritchie Simon Hart Angela Smith Dr Paul Monaghan Rishi Sunak
1. Air quality
Ordered, That the following written evidence relating to Air quality be reported to the House for publication:
Professor Paul Wilkinson Simon Birkett
2. Farmgate prices
Ordered, That the following written evidence relating Farmgate prices be reported to the House for publication:
George Eustice Ulster Farmers Union
Tim Smith, Tesco Group Quality Director, Tesco, Alex Brown, Interim Fresh Trading Director, Morrisons and Judith Batchelar, Director of Sainsbury’s Brand, Sainsbury’s, gave oral evidence.
[Adjourned till Wednesday 6 January at 2 pm
WEDNESDAY 6 JANUARY 2016
Members present:
Neil Parish, in the Chair
Chris Davies Ms Margaret Ritchie Jim Fitzpatrick David Simpson Simon Hart Angela Smith Dr Paul Monaghan Rishi Sunak Rebecca Pow
1. Air quality
Ordered, That the following written evidence relating to Air quality be reported to the House for publication:
Air Quality Group Campaign For Better Transport City Of London Corporation Environmental Industries Commission Environmental Protection Uk Friends Of The Earth Greater London Authority Heathrow Airport London Councils Mr Howard Wynne Mr Ralph Hardwick Mr Simon Francis National Farmers' Union Plantlife Renewable Energy Association Uklpg Ulster Farmers' Union Volkswagen Group Uk Ltd
2. Winter floods 2015-16
Keith Little, Cumbria Council, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport and Flood Protection, Rob Johnston, Cumbrian Chamber of Commerce, Chief Executive, Lynne Jones, Homeowner and Chair of the Keswick Flood Action Group, Heather Shepherd, Flood Forum, Community Support & Flood Recovery Specialist; and Sir Philip Dilley, Chairman, Sir James Bevan, Chief Executive, and David Rooke, Deputy Chief Executive, Environment Agency gave oral evidence.
[Adjourned till Wednesday 13 January at 2 pm
WEDNESDAY 13 JANUARY 2016
Members present:
Neil Parish, in the Chair
Simon Hart David Simpson Dr Paul Monaghan Angela Smith Rebecca Pow Rishi Sunak Ms Margaret Ritchie
Air quality
Ordered, That written evidence from Roland Gilmore relating to Air quality be reported to the House for publication.
Mike Hawes, Chief Executive Officer, Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), Paul Willis, Managing Director, Volkswagen Group UK and Andy Eastlake, Managing Director, Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership, gave oral evidence.
[Adjourned till Wednesday 20 January at 2 pm
WEDNESDAY 20 JANUARY 2016
Members present:
Neil Parish, in the Chair
Chris Davies David Simpson Jim Fitzpatrick Angela Smith Dr Paul Monaghan Rishi Sunak Ms Margaret Ritchie
1. Air quality
Ordered, That the following written evidence relating to Air quality be reported to the House for publication:
Jim Harkins Gatwick Airport Ltd Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership
2. Common Agricultural Policy
Resolved, That the Committee visit Brussels in connection with the inquiry into Common Agricultural Policy.
3. Air quality Matthew Pencharz, Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy to the Mayor of London; Councillor Tony Newman, Local Government Association Board Member and London Borough of Croydon; Councillor Nick McDonald, Nottingham City Council; and Dr Diane Mitchell, Chief Environment Adviser, NFU; and Andrew Bauer, Deputy Director of Policy, NFU Scotland, gave oral evidence.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 26 January at 2 pm
TUESDAY 26 JANUARY 2016
Members present:
Neil Parish, in the Chair
Chris Davies Ms Margaret Ritchie Simon Hart Angela Smith Jim Fitzpatrick
The work of Defra
Rt Hon. Elizabeth Truss MP, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and Clare Moriarty, Permanent Secretary, Defra, gave oral evidence.
[Adjourned till Wednesday 27 January at 2 pm
WEDNESDAY 27 JANUARY 2016
Members present:
Neil Parish, in the Chair
Chris Davies Ms Margaret Ritchie Simon Hart David Simpson Jim Fitzpatrick Angela Smith
1. Organophosphates
The Committee considered this matter.
2. Winter floods 2015-16
Ordered, That supplementary evidence from the Environment Agency relating to the Committee’s inquiry into Winter floods 2015-16 be reported to the House for publication.
3. Visit in a representative capacity
Resolved, That Neil Parish and Angela Smith attend the National Farmers Union conference on Tuesday 23 February in a representative capacity.
4. EU Reporter
Resolved, That Rishi Sunak be the Committee’s EU reporter.
5. Animal welfare: domestic pets
Resolved, That the Committee inquire into Animal welfare: domestic pets.
Resolved, That the Sub-Committee be tasked with inquiring into Animal welfare: domestic pets.
6. Future flood prevention
Resolved, That the Committee inquire into Future flood prevention.
[Adjourned till Wednesday 3 February at 2 pm
WEDNESDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2016
Members present:
Neil Parish, in the Chair
Chris Davies Dr Paul Monaghan Simon Hart Ms Margaret Ritchie Jim Fitzpatrick David Simpson
1. Farmgate prices
Ordered, That the following written evidence relating to Farmgate prices be reported to the House for publication:
Tesco Morrisons
2. Air quality
Ordered, That written evidence relating to Air quality from National Farmers Union be reported to the House for publication.
Rt Hon. Oliver Letwin MP, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Cabinet Office, and Rory Stewart MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Environment and Rural Affairs, gave oral evidence.
[Adjourned till Wednesday 10 February at 2 pm
WEDNESDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2016
Members present:
Neil Parish, in the Chair
Chris Davies Ms Margaret Ritchie Jim Fitzpatrick David Simpson Simon Hart Angela Smith Dr Paul Monaghan Rishi Sunak
1. Death of a Member
The Committee paid tribute to Harry Harpham MP, who died on 4 February.
2. Greyhound welfare
Ordered, That the following written evidence relating to Greyhound welfare be reported to the House for publication:
Tia Greyhound Rescue Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Draft Report (Greyhound welfare), proposed by the Chair, brought up and read.
The draft Report was agreed to; the Formal Minutes relating to the consideration of the Report are published in the Second Report from the Committee, HC 478, Session 2015–16.
3. Farmgate prices
Ordered, That the following written evidence relating to Farmgate prices be reported to the House for publication:
Sainburys Ulster Farmers Union
Draft Report (Farmgate prices), proposed by the Chair, brought up and read.
The draft Report was agreed to; the Formal Minutes relating to the consideration of the Report are published in the Third Report from the Committee, HC 474, Session 2015–16.
4. Air quality
Ordered, That the following written evidence relating to Air quality be reported to the House for publication:
Volkswagen Group UK Ltd Calor Gas
5. Animal welfare: domestic pets
Ordered, That Chris Davies, Angela Smith and David Simpson be members of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs sub-committee.
6. Future flood prevention
Resolved, That the Committee visit the Somerset Levels and the Netherlands in connection with its inquiry into Future flood prevention.
[Adjourned till Wednesday 24 February at 2 pm
Tuesday 23 February 2016
The Chair and Angela Smith visited the National Farmers Union annual conference in Birmingham, in a representative capacity, in accordance with the Committee’s decision of 27 January.
WEDNESDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2016
Members present:
Neil Parish, in the Chair
Chris Davies Ms Margaret Ritchie Jim Fitzpatrick David Simpson Simon Hart Angela Smith Dr Paul Monaghan
1. Air quality The Committee considered this matter.
2. The Law Commission’s Wildlife Law report The Committee considered this matter.
[Adjourned till Wednesday 2 March at 2 pm
WEDNESDAY 2 MARCH 2015
Members present:
Neil Parish, in the Chair
Chris Davies David Simpson Jim Fitzpatrick Angela Smith Dr Paul Monaghan Rishi Sunak Ms Margaret Ritchie
1. Declaration of interests
Ms Margaret Ritchie declared an interest, in accordance with the Resolution of the House of 13 July 1992, as an Honorary Associate Member of the Northern Ireland Veterinary Association.
2. Farmgate prices
Resolved, That the Committee request permission from the Liaison Committee for a debate on its Report on Farmgate prices in the House or Westminster Hall.
3. Greyhound welfare
Resolved, That the Committee request permission from the Liaison Committee for a debate on its Report on Greyhound welfare in the House or Westminster Hall.
4. Air quality
Ordered, That the following written evidence relating to Air quality be reported to the House for publication:
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Local Government Association
5. Defra: supplementary estimate
The Committee considered this matter.
6. Future flood prevention
Ordered, That Dr Paul Quinn and Professor David Balmforth be appointed specialist advisors to assist the Committee in its inquiry into Future flood prevention.
7. Defra performance in 2014-15 Draft Special Report (Defra performance in 2014-15: Government Response to the Committee’s First Report of Session 2015-16), proposed by the Chair, brought up, read the first and second time, and agreed to. The Government’s response to the First Report from the Committee was appended to the Report.
Resolved, That the Report, be the First Special Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chair make the Report to the House.
[Adjourned till Wednesday 9 March at 2 pm
WEDNESDAY 9 MARCH 2015
Members present:
Neil Parish, in the Chair
Chris Davies Ms Margaret Ritchie Jim Fitzpatrick David Simpson Simon Hart Angela Smith Dr Paul Monaghan Rishi Sunak Rebecca Pow Valerie Vaz
1. Declaration of interests
Valerie Vaz declared her interests, in accordance with the Resolution of the House of 13 July 1992 (see appendix).
2. Organophosphates
The Committee discussed this matter.
3. Common Agricultural Policy: Payments to farmers
Mark Grimshaw, Chief Executive, Rural Payments Agency, gave oral evidence.
4. Priorities of the Dutch Presidency of the European Union
The Committee discussed this matter.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 15 March 2016 Appendix
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
The following Member declared her interests as follows at the Committee's meeting on Wednesday 9 March:
Vaz, Valerie (Walsall South)
8. Miscellaneous Solicitor (not practising).
9. Family members employed and paid from parliamentary expenses I employ my husband, Paul Townsend, as Office Manager.
TUESDAY 15 MARCH 2015 Members present:
Neil Parish, in the Chair
Jim Fitzpatrick Ms Margaret Ritchie Dr Paul Monaghan David Simpson Rebecca Pow Valerie Vaz
1. Declaration of interests
David Simpson declared an interest, in accordance with the Resolution of the House of 13 July 1992, as an Honorary Associate Member of the Northern Ireland Veterinary Association.
Valerie Vaz declared an interest, in accordance with the Resolution of the House of 13 July 1992, as a Friend of Kew Gardens.
2. Organophosphates
The Committee considered this matter.
3. Common Agricultural Policy: Payments to farmers
Resolved, That the Committee seek oral evidence from George Eustice MP, Minister of State for Farming, Food and the Marine Environment.
4. Defra’s 25-year food and farming plan
The Committee was briefed in private by officials from the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
[Adjourned till Wednesday 16 March 2016
WEDNESDAY 16 MARCH 2015
Members present:
Neil Parish, in the Chair
Jim Fitzpatrick Angela Smith Dr Paul Monaghan Rishi Sunak Rebecca Pow
Future flood prevention
The Committee was briefed in private by: Dr Paul Quinn and Professor David Balmforth, Specialist Advisers; officials from the Environment Agency; and officials from the National Audit Office
[Adjourned till Wednesday 23 March at 2 pm
WEDNESDAY 23 MARCH 2015
Members present:
Neil Parish, in the Chair
Chris Davies Ms Margaret Ritchie Jim Fitzpatrick Angela Smith Simon Hart Rishi Sunak Dr Paul Monaghan Valerie Vaz
1. Future flood prevention
Ordered, That the following written evidence relating to Future flood prevention be reported to the House for publication.
Mr Tony Norman Mr Daniel Scharf Mr Paul Scully Jeremy Chamberlayne Country Land Business Association CLA Professor Colin Green Westcountry Rivers Trust Mr John Watson Digital Solutions Northern Ltd Radcliffe Residents Bury Flood Action Group Dr Rod Everett Northumbrian Water Mr Richard Farnsworth Ms Janice Johnson Professor Donald Longmore Mr Stuart Bradshaw Mrs Gillian Telford Fire Brigades Union Loddon Valley Residents Association University of Exeter Jenny Radford Dr Rod Everett Mary Dhonau Associates Hampshire County Council Wanborough AntiFlood Group Simon Tattersall Animal Aid Mr Mike Potter Public Weather Service Customer Group Keswick Flood Action Group Ordnance Survey West Sussex Flood Action Group Forum Little Stour Nailbourne River Management Group Mrs Sarah Chaplin Brice Mrs Barbara Stevens Forestry Commission England Mrs Carol Moss London Councils Federation of Small Businesses Roger Fell Sheffield Water Centre Wildlife and Countryside Link Met Office Mr John D Anderson United Utilities South West Water Limited Centre for Ecology Hydrology Flood Prevention Society Mr Clive Griffiths Upper Calder Valley Flood Prevention Group South Tyneside Council Mr Michael Wood Ban Bloodsports on Ilkley Moor Mr John Williams Brompton Flood Prevention Group National Trust Woodland Trust Churchtown Flood Defence Group The Geological Society University of Reading Saltney Town Council Local Government Association Countryside and Community Research institute Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment, London School of Economics Age UK Zurich Insurance plc National Flood Prevention Party Ewan Larcombe Residential Landlords Association Rewilding Britain Severn Trent Anglian Water RSPB Council of Mortgage Lenders Wildfowl Wetlands Trust Miss Laura Makeating Construction Industry Council Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Centre for Floods Communities and Resilience Home Builders Federation Landscape Institute Essex County Council Essex County Council Essex County Council British Holiday Home Parks Association Royal Town Planning Institute Scottish Flood Forum AXA UK Jim Asquith WWFUK CIWEM Mrs Samantha Boocock National Flood Forum University of Oxford ESI Limited Weather Action University of Exeter Committee on Climate Change Association of British Insurers British Insurance Brokers Association Countryside Alliance Confor: Promoting forestry and wood Association of Drainage Authorities Science and Technology Facilities Council Tone Murison Mr Mark Yorke The Royal Society National Farmers’ Union Royal Horticultural Society Southwell Flood Forum J Arnold Cornwall Community Flood Forum Flood Re Natural England Environment Agency Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Department for Communities and Local Government 2. Animal welfare: domestic pets
Ordered, That the following written evidence relating to Animal welfare: domestic pets be reported to the House for publication:
Mrs Deborah Birch Mrs Julie Dronfield Ms Nicola MacDonal Vikki Novelle Ms Collette Fergus Mrs Elizabeth Ward Liz Carlton Ms Penny Bunn Amanda McGunnigle Peter Collins Mrs Denise Geary Mrs Christine Edmondson Mrs Lee Johnson Ms Pam Thompson Marnie Moyle Mr John Watson Gillian Didlick Mr Cecil Couling Ms Cheryle Norton Brighton Dogwatch Garside Animal Welfare Pamela Kelly Graeme and Penny Hatton Miss Lucy Haberfield Good for Dogs, Dog & Puppy Training School Mr Paul Beacock Mr Edmund Brooke Brigitta MacMillan Mrs Elizabeth Storey Mrs Carol Browne Mrs Sarah Pash Richard Spencer Ms Val Rumsey Hilary Luder Mr Cliff Benson Mrs Hilary Graham Mrs Patricia Wilson Kierti Vaidya Mrs Patricia Jones Mrs Ann Woodford Ms Raven De Bonaire Mrs Julie Leithy Stephen Gibson Society for the Welfare of Horses and Ponies Ms Vivien Brooks Jo Chinery Camp Nibble Craig Graham John McKenna Suzanne Harris Miss Lindsey Halson Miss Polly Langford L. Marian Hussenbux Julie Parsons Ms Vikki Marshall Miss Vicky Steed Natalia Doran Adele Mahan Marie Sharp Mr Jordon Millward Louise Balmforth Mrs Sara Perry Puppy Love Campaigns Chantal Cooke Mr Benjamin Boult Mrs Gillian Ware Mrs Heidi Mitchell Maureen Mills Ms Angela Patmore The Freedom of Spirit Trust Barbara Sykes Ms Geraldine Flanagan Mary Herbert Miss Victoria Priestley Mrs Clare Wild Jayne Dendle Ms Adrienne Davis Miss Elizabeth Fowler Naomi Ainley Andrew Boulton Rachel Bagley Mrs Alison Wilson Alan Meredith Mr Richard Morgan Mrs Jane Antcliff Rachel Evans Julia Waterman Carla Tilley Faerie Tale Alpacas Mrs Eve Dickinson Mrs Jane Wade Mrs Eve Dickinson Mr Christopher Laurence (former trustee of the RSPCA) Countryside Alliance Ms Angie Pedley Mrs Norma Ratcliff Boycott Dogs4Us Miss Julie Bignell Emma Pereira Mrs Catherine Harris Mrs Catherine Harris Mrs Catherine Harris Mrs Catherine Harris Mrs Catherine Harris National Equine and Smaller Animals Defence League (The Animals Refuge) Mrs Gina Chronowicz Julie Henretty Mrs Jane Smith Ms Elaine Dyson Vicky Cole Hilary Mitchell Mrs Ruth Hendrick Mrs Carole Henson Cath Kinder Mark Johnson Mrs Vivienne Forbes Mrs Barbara Walmsley Defra Ornamental Aquatic Trade Association Norfolk Lincolnshire K9 Training Animal Interfaith Alliance RSPCA Pat Wallwork Mrs Michelle Anderson Julie Howitt Anglican Society for the Welfare of Animals John Howells Mrs Jayne Isaac Mandy Dumont Mrs Clare Adams Winchester City Council Association for Pet Behaviour Counsellors Noel Sweeney Miss Helen Jones Jarred Ward Saving Cavaliers UK Miss Lindsey Hare FAB Fireworks Campaign Mrs Lorna Nicholson Mr Jeff Nunley Naturewatch Foundation Mrs Carol Salt Mona Parr PDSA Miss Mandy Lowe Mrs Jean Davies Friends of Swansea Horses Mrs Jo Wild Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Mary Emery Mrs Corinna Ryan Miss Eva Taylor Mr Harry Bishop Cats Protection Mrs Jacqui Sutton International Fund for Animal Welfare British Horse Society Mrs Sheila Vince Dr Mohneeta Dhadli Ms Heidi-Lauren O’Donnell Ruth Gallagher Miss Lesley Bosworth Ms Jacky Hendley Hope for Horses UK Mrs Eleanor Wood Kennel Club Ms Lee Berry Make Mine Chocolate! UK Rabbit Welfare WE Hear the Horses Whisper Sophie Khan Suzanne Bickerdike Mr Christopher Harris Mrs Wendy Kinnell Association of Lawyers for Animal Welfare Jennifer Kelly Ms Inez Collier Ms Julie Grisi Elizabeth Cameron Pets4Homes Mrs Margaret Grasby People4Ponies M Roberts Miss Tracey White Dr Margaret Clotworthy Mrs Ann Dowley Mrs Leslie Cook Tim DeLyle-Turner Julie Nadian FBH/REPTA Mx Martina Stuart The Dog Union Greyhound Rescue West of England Law for Paws Dr Francesca Chiarelli Dr Rosa Angela Ragni Donkey Sanctuary Miss Val Woodhouse Dog Breeding Reform Group League against Cruel Sports Michelle Middleton Dr Carline Key Mrs Melanie Hardy Mr Martin Ashdown Mr Mike Radford, Dr Fiona Cooke and Professor Sheila Crispin World Horse Welfare Mrs Janet Jenkinson Mr David Grimsell Lorraine King Mrs Brenda Anderson National Animal Health and Welfare Panel National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) Centre for Animals and Social Justice Dr Anke Franz Caroline King-Cherne Miss Lisa Tolliss Toni Clarke Saartje Foundation Endangered Dogs Defence & Rescue Limited Blue Cross Friends of Northern Dobermanns Ltd Pet Advertising Advisory Group (PAAG) Gumtree Daniel Wells Greg Glendel PupAid, Canine Action UK, C.A.R.I.A.D Catherine Bennett Battersea Dogs and Cats Home Mrs Aileen Ward DDA Watch Ltd The SaveABulls Dogs Trust Redwings Horse Sanctuary OneKind Devon and Cornwall Police Vets Get Scanning National Companion Animal Focus Group Dr Gillian Saunderson British Horseracing Authority TeamOtisUK British Veterinary Association and British Small Animal Veterinary Association 3. Common Agricultural Policy: Payments to farmers
George Eustice MP, Minister of State for Farming, Food and the Marine Environment, and Mike Rowe, Deputy Director, Common Agricultural Policy, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, gave oral evidence.
[Adjourned till Wednesday 13 April at 2 pm
WEDNESDAY 13 APRIL 2016
Members present:
Neil Parish, in the Chair
Chris Davies Ms Margaret Ritchie Simon Hart David Simpson Dr Paul Monaghan Angela Smith Rebecca Pow Rishi Sunak
1. Common Agricultural Policy
The Committee considered this matter.
2. Animal welfare: domestic pets
Ordered, That the following written evidence received in relation to Animal welfare: domestic pets be reported to the House for publication:
Equine Behaviour and Training Association APPG on Animal Welfare Local Government Association Self-help group for farmers Pet owners and others experiencing difficulties with the RSPCA The Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Mike Radford Lindsay Murray
3. Future flood prevention
Ordered, That written evidence relating to Future flood prevention submitted by Climate Vision be reported to the House for publication.
Lord Krebs, Chair of the Adaptation Sub-Committee, and Daniel Johns, Head of Adaption, Committee on Climate Change, and Professor Dame Julia Slingo, Chief Scientist, Met Office, and Paul Davies, Chief Meteorologist, Met Office; and Sir James Bevan, Chief Executive, and John Curtin, Executive Director of Flood and Coastal Risk Management, Environment Agency, and Alan Law, Chief Office, Strategy Reform, and Rob Cooke, Director, Terrestrial Biodiversity, Natural England, gave oral evidence.
[Adjourned till Wednesday 20 April at 2 pm
WEDNESDAY 20 APRIL 2016
Members present:
Neil Parish, in the Chair
Jim Fitzpatrick Angela Smith Ms Margaret Ritchie David Simpson Rebecca Pow Valerie Vaz
1. Animal welfare: domestic pets
Ordered, That the following written evidence relating to Animal welfare: domestic pets be reported to the House for publication:
Alexandra Kleanthous Fiona Wright PreLoved
2. Environment Agency
Ordered, That the Chair communicate the views of the Committee to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on future recruitment of a Chair of the Environment Agency.
3. Visit in a representative capacity
Resolved, That the Chair, Chris Davies, Dr Paul Monaghan and Angela Smith visit Tate and Lyle, Silvertown, London, in a representative capacity.
4. Air quality
Draft Report (Air quality), proposed by the Chair, brought up and read.
The draft Report was agreed to; the Formal Minutes relating to the consideration of the Report are published in the Fourth Report from the Committee, HC 479, Session 2015-16.
[Adjourned till Wednesday 27 April at 2 pm
WEDNESDAY 27 APRIL 2016
Members present:
Neil Parish, in the Chair
Chris Davies Ms Margaret Ritchie Simon Hart Angela Smith Dr Paul Monaghan Rishi Sunak Rebecca Pow Valerie Vaz
Future flood prevention
Ordered, That written evidence from the National Flood Forum relating to Future flood prevention be reported to the House for publication.
Councillor Mark Hawthorne, Chairman, People and Places Board, Local Government Association, and Innes Thompson, Deputy President, Association of Drainage Authorities; Minette Batters, Deputy President, National Farmers Union, Ross Murray, Country Land and Business Association, and Kevin Perberdy, Director, Wetland Experience and Creation, Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, Blueprint for Water Coalition, gave oral evidence.
[Adjourned till Wednesday 4 May at 2 pm
Thursday 28 April 2016
The Chair, Chris Davies and Angela Smith visited Tate and Lyle, Silvertown, London, in a representative capacity, in accordance with the Committee’s decision of 20 April.
WEDNESDAY 4 MAY 2016
Members present:
Neil Parish, in the Chair
Chris Davies Angela Smith Jim Fitzpatrick Rishi Sunak Dr Paul Monaghan Valerie Vaz Rebecca Pow
Common Agricultural Policy: payments to farmers Draft Report (Common Agricultural Policy: payments to farmers), proposed by the Chair, brought up and read.
Ordered, that the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.
Paragraphs 1 to 49 read and agreed to.
Resolved, That the Report be the Fifth Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chair make the Report to the House.
Ordered, That embargoed copies of the Report be made available (Standing Order No. 134).
[Adjourned till Wednesday 11 May at 2 pm
WEDNESDAY 11 MAY 2016
Members present:
Neil Parish, in the Chair
Chris Davies Ms Margaret Ritchie Simon Hart David Simpson Dr Paul Monaghan
1. Animal welfare: domestic pets
Resolved, That the following written evidence received in relation to the inquiry into Animal welfare: domestic pets be reported to the House for publication:
Ian S McTurk Kim E Hayes Amy Tatton Kate Price International Cat Care
2. Future flood prevention
Resolved, That written evidence received from Jim Penfold in relation to the inquiry into Future flood prevention be reported to the House for publication.
3. Farmgate prices
Draft Special Report (Farmgate prices: Government Response to the Committee’s Third Report of Session 2015-16), proposed by the Chair, brought up, read the first and second time, and agreed to.
The Government’s response to the Third Report from the Committee was appended to the Report.
Resolved, That the Report, be the Second Special Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chair make the Report to the House.
George Eustice MP, Minister of State for Food, Farming and the Marine Environment, Brendon Lancaster, and Tim Mordan, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, gave oral evidence.
[Adjourned till Wednesday 25 May at 2 pm
Thursday 12 May 2016
The Chair, Chris Davies, Jim Fitzpatrick, Dr Paul Monaghan, Rebecca Pow, Angela Smith, Rishi Sunak and Valerie Vaz visited the Somerset Levels and Moors in connection with the Committee’s inquiry into Future flood prevention, in accordance with the Committee’s decision of 10 February.