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UK Trade with EU: Agriculture | Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs | Written Answers

Retaining tariff free access between the UK and the EU is a significant benefit to the food and farming sectors in both the UK and Europe. In 2015, the UK exported £7.5 billion of food to the EU, and imported £18 billion; for all agri-food and drink products this increases to £11 billion and £28 billion respectively. We aim to secure a mutually beneficial deal that delivers market access for the benefit of farmers and food manufacturers both in the UK and the EU.

Horses: Dartmoor National Park | Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs | Written Answers

We do not publish information on investigations undertaken by Defra Investigation Services given the confidential nature of such enquiries. However, we are considering an FOI request regarding the subsequent review that was carried out on the original investigation referred to by my Honourable Friend.

New goal posts with nets for The Moors playing field

Cllr Andrew Wallis - Fri, 20/01/2017 - 15:18

Every year, each Cornwall Councillor gets a small pot of funding to help local groups and organisations with funding. In the past, I have paid over the last year or so for new life-jackets for Porthleven Gig Club, Porthleven Village Show, Porthleven School PTA and the Porthleven Food Festival to name a few.

Since the removal old goal posts on the Moors (because they were at the end of their life) there has been a strong request from both parents and young people to have these replaced.

Goal posts that are designed for play-parks are not cheap, but I am very pleased to say yesterday I placed an order for two goal posts both with nets for the Moors playing field. These goal posts will be paid for out of my community fund.

The new goal posts for the Moors playing field

The new goal posts for the Moors playing field

Further good news is the delivery of these goal posts should be within two-weeks and installation soon after. Porthleven Town Council should also be thanked because they will be funding the installation costs (concrete) and the future maintenance of the goal posts.

Categories: Local Politics

Emergency services rush to reports of woman stabbed and unconscious in St Ives

Falmouth Packet | West Cornwall - Fri, 20/01/2017 - 09:36
There were dramatic scenes in St Ives on Wednesday night as police, fire and ambulance services were all called Treverbyn Road following reports a woman was seriously injured.
Categories: West Cornwall News

Common Agricultural Policy: Fines | Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs | Written Answers

Disallowance relating to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is paid from national, not CAP scheme, funds.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Recruitment | Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs | Written Answers

Defra is amongst those Government Departments whose work is most closely linked to and impacted by EU activity, legal frameworks and funding. A number of roles within the Department will support EU work relating to the Great Repeal Bill to some degree.

The resourcing of EU Exit work is a key priority of the Department and will be subject to on-going assessment. Work continues to identify the number of dedicated posts required in the long term. Staffing resources will be deployed flexibly across the entire Defra agenda, including work on the Great Repeal Bill.

Agriculture: Seasonal Workers | Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs | Written Answers

Defra is very aware that seasonal workers from other EU countries will be one of the complex issues that will have to be resolved as part of our exit negotiation and future relationship with the EU.

We are currently working with colleagues across government to understand the issues and explore options.

Defra is also working closely with the devolved administrations to establish their views and priorities to get the best possible outcome for all parts of the United Kingdom as we leave the EU.

Infant Foods: Scotland | Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs | Written Answers

The Infant Formula and Follow-on Formula (Scotland) Regulations 2007 is a devolved matter. Defra does not hold any information on how many retailers have been fined since it was introduced.

Slaughterhouses: Animal Welfare | Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs | Written Answers

Official veterinarians (OVs) from the Food Standards Agency (FSA) are present in all approved slaughterhouses in England and take a prompt, proportionate and risk based approach to enforcement action when animal welfare breaches are identified. The numbers of these cases identified by the FSA for the period from April 2014 to June 2016 were published on the FSA website in August 2016 following a Freedom of Information Act request. The FSA have developed an action plan in regards to animal welfare in slaughterhouses which aims to “Deter, Prevent, Detect, Enforce”. An Animal Welfare Steering Group was set up by the FSA to oversee the delivery of its animal welfare action plan.

Defra works closely with the FSA to ensure that the welfare of animals is maintained in all slaughterhouses. There is a wide ranging, systemic programme of animal welfare activity including strengthened verification of compliance through the establishment of welfare assurance teams; a welfare themed audit programme; targeted unannounced inspections; additional checks for non-compliant business operators; and improved education and instruction through an animal welfare publicity campaign in slaughterhouses.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: iNHouse Communications | Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs | Written Answers

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has no record of communication with iNHouse Communications Ltd on its tendering system and has not awarded any commercial contract to iNHouse Communications Ltd in the last five years.

January Agriculture Council | Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs | Written Ministerial Statements

Agriculture and Fisheries Council will take place on January 23 in Brussels. I will represent the United Kingdom.

As the provisional agenda stands, the primary focus will be an exchange of views on agricultural products in free trade agreements.

There will also be an information item on the Dairy Market and milk package report. This will be followed by a Council discussion.

The Maltese Presidency, whose Presidency term commenced on January 1, will present their 6 month Work Programme to the Council.

There is currently only one item scheduled under ‘Any Other Business’:

- Conclusions of the 40th Conference of Directors of Paying Agencies (tabled by the Slovak delegation).

Until exit negotiations are concluded, the UK remains a full member of the European Union and all the rights and obligations of EU membership remain in force. The outcome of these negotiations will determine what arrangements apply in relation to EU legislation in future once the UK has left the EU.

Mount Edgcumbe Classic Car Show & Country Fayre 2017

Cornwall Hospice Care: What's On: - Thu, 19/01/2017 - 14:08
Preliminary Announcement Application forms will be sent out to previous participants at the end of February, beginning of March. If you are new to the event and would like to register your interest please email Judy on: jlawton@cornwallhospice.co.uk More details to follow.
Categories: West Cornwall News

Helston’s Youth Cafe Seeks Volunteers!

Cllr Andrew Wallis - Thu, 19/01/2017 - 12:54

The Community Interest Company that runs the venture are now recruiting for new volunteers for their busy evening sessions on either Tuesdays or Fridays.

Helston is home to the unique youth café, named by the young people as ‘The Furry Youth Café’ This cafe sits above Warrens in Meneage Street, hence the rabbit logo on the swing sign.

As the Chairman of the Furry Youth Café CIC as well as the other directors we are keen to hear from local people who can spare a few hours a month to help support the sessions. The key ingredient is a willingness to help and support young people, you don’t have to have an interest in catering, you may have other skills or you may be experienced in volunteering and just want to give something back to help the youth of the town, we would love to hear from you whatever your background and expertise.

My fellow director and former town Mayor, Cllr Mike Thomas hopes the people of Helston and the surrounding area get behind this and come forward, as you really will make a difference.

Volunteers alongside trained youth workers and we hope you will get something out of the experience too.  The town is fairly unique in having this amazing facility and we are looking forward to hearing from you.”

Training will be provided including safeguarding, introduction to youth work, and other useful aspects of engaging with young people…. we hope to attract a real mix of new volunteers to help the café have a really good season.

Make your volunteering really count – to find out more, please contact me,  Charlotte Caldwell on Tel: 07741 304606.

Categories: Local Politics

Fisheries: Sustainable Development | Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs | Written Answers

We continue to make progress towards more sustainable fishing, with more stocks than ever now being fished in line with their Maximum Sustainable Yield. This year, there will be 29 stocks that are of interest to the UK and which will be fished at or below Maximum Sustainable Yield - an increase on 2016. The UK has been and will continue to be an advocate of sustainable fishing.

Agricultural Products: UK Trade with EU | Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs | Written Answers

Defra is working closely with the Department for Exiting the European Union and the Department for International Trade to ensure the UK gets the best possible deal on market access for our agri-food sector when we leave the EU.

In particular, we want a reciprocal deal that delivers no tariffs on trade between the UK and EU. We are also working to minimise burdensome non-tariff-barriers to such trade, while maintaining high standards for food safety, animal welfare and the environment.

Food: Prices | Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs | Written Answers

Commodity prices, exchange rates and oil prices are known to be the most important drivers of retail food price inflation. It is too early to tell what, if any, impact leaving the EU might have on these factors.

Topical Questions | Oral Answers to Questions - Environment, Food and Rural Affairs | Commons debates

The US represents US interests in negotiations; the UK Government will represent the UK in any future trade negotiations. As I made clear earlier, we will not compromise on issues such as animal welfare and food safety.

Topical Questions | Oral Answers to Questions - Environment, Food and Rural Affairs | Commons debates

I am aware of the concerns, particularly about pulse trawling in the southern North sea. I have asked CEFAS, the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, to look at the issue, do a review of current literature and give me a report on what we know about the science. In addition, there is a working group in the EU on the matter.

Topical Questions | Oral Answers to Questions - Environment, Food and Rural Affairs | Commons debates

As the Secretary of State said earlier, we have now paid 92.8% of basic payment scheme claims for the current year. As a fellow Cornishman, I am pleased to tell my hon. Friend that 97% of claims in Cornwall have now been paid.

Topical Questions | Oral Answers to Questions - Environment, Food and Rural Affairs | Commons debates

We will be looking at representations from all people. If we want to improve the farmed environment, we have to look at the whole farmed environment and not restrict our ambitions to the uplands or, indeed, the moorland areas. We are looking in a range of areas at how we can improve soil management and water quality.

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