Tag: Margaret Ritchie

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ritchie on 2016-04-28.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, on what grounds emergency applications for the use of neonicotinoid pesticides are granted.

George Eustice

Emergency authorisation is a procedure set out in law that allows for authorisation of a product, for a period not exceeding 120 days, for “limited and controlled use, where such a measure appears necessary because of a danger which cannot be contained by any other reasonable means”.

All applications for emergency authorisation in the UK are decided according to these criteria. In the case of applications relating to restricted neonicotinoids, experts in the Health and Safety Executive and the Expert Committee on Pesticides assess the scientific data to consider the need for the pesticide, the adequacy of the proposed controls and the possible impacts on health and the environment. On the basis of this advice, Ministers will decide whether authorisations can be issued.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ritchie on 2016-10-07.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Executive on funding for inquests into the killings allegedly carried out by the British Army’s Military Reaction Force.

James Brokenshire

The Government committed, in our manifesto, to work to reform the system of legacy inquests in a way that enables the UK Government to fulfil its international obligations. The current system was not designed to cope with a large number of highly complex cases that involve sensitive information. Since taking up office I have been meeting regularly with the Executive parties and a large number of other stakeholders as part of work to progress reforms around legacy issues. I will continue to engage with the Northern Ireland Executive and others and consider any proposals that the Executive puts forward that would lead to effective reform of the inquest system.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ritchie on 2016-01-06.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to ensure greater levels of genetic testing for cancer and ultra rare diseases; and if he will make a statement.

George Freeman

Data on existing levels of genetic testing are not held centrally by NHS England. The UK Genetic Testing Network is working with NHS England, the devolved administrations and the Health and Social Care Information Centre to collect and publish United Kingdom-wide data on molecular genetic testing activity. Data collection is expected to have been completed by the summer of 2016 with a full update prepared for publication by the end of the year.

The creation of regional Genomic Medicine Centre as part of the 100,000 Genomes Project will significantly increase genomic testing capacity across the UK.

The project aims to sequence 100,000 whole human genomes and covers patients with rare diseases, cancer and infectious diseases. There will be 75,000 participants in the project, 40,000 of which will be patients and 35,000 of which will be healthy relatives.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ritchie on 2015-11-05.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to increase the level of competition among milk processors.

George Eustice

The Government is committed to championing a thriving and competitive British food and farming sector. We worked closely with the dairy industry to produce the ‘Leading the Way’ Growth Plan, which aims to improve long-term efficiency and competitiveness, and encourage processors to invest.

We are taking forward a series of measures to help farming businesses grow and thrive. Based on 2012 data, there are approximately 400 dairy processors in the UK, including farmer co-operatives, private dairy companies and public limited companies, with considerable variety and diversity, particularly in the cheese sector.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ritchie on 2015-12-08.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make an assessment of the implications for her policies of the recommendations of the report by the Dogs Trust entitled Puppy Smuggling: The Scandal Continues, published in July 2015.

George Eustice

The Dogs Trust’s report highlights that responsibility for stopping the illegal movement of puppies begins in the country where they are born. The UK Chief Veterinary Officer has written to the authorities in the countries highlighted in the report to remind them of their duty to ensure that the requirements of the EU pet travel scheme must be fully complied with. This approach has previously resulted in investigations in EU Member States and appropriate action being taken, including the suspension of veterinarians’ licenses. We will continue to alert the authorities in any Member State where we become aware of issues in relation to the operation of the pet travel scheme.

The UK carries out more checks on pets at the border than most other EU Member States. In order to carry pets, transport companies must be approved by the Animal and Plant Health Agency to ensure that they have the necessary facilities and trained staff. It is a condition of approval that the transport company check 100% of those pets declared to them for compliance with the EU pet travel scheme. Stringent penalties are in place where people are found to be breaking the rules. Defra actively shares intelligence it gathers relating to abuse of the pet travel scheme with Local Authorities (who are enforcement bodies) and other EU countries for them to further investigate and take any necessary action.

The illegal trade is ultimately driven by demand and so we have published guidance on the steps pet owners can take to avoid buying an illegally imported pet. See: https://www.gov.uk/buying-a-cat-or-dog. Defra has also worked closely with the Pet Advertising Advisory Group to drive up standards for online advertisements.

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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ritchie on 2016-03-21.

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what recent discussions he has held with his counterparts in the devolved administrations on proposals to repeal the Human Rights Act 1998.

Dominic Raab

The Government has discussed human rights reform with a range of stakeholders in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, including ministers in the Scottish and Welsh Governments and the Northern Ireland Executive.

We will continue to engage fully with the devolved administrations as we develop our proposals.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ritchie on 2016-05-23.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent representations he has made to the Nigerian government on securing the release of girls who have been abducted by Boko Haram.

James Duddridge

We regularly raise the issue of abducted girls, and indeed everyone abducted by Boko Haram, with the Nigerian government at the highest levels. Most recently the Foreign Secretary reiterated UK support for Nigeria’s efforts to tackle Boko Haram, when he met President Buhari in Abuja in May.

We are providing a substantial and increasing package of intelligence, military and development support to Nigeria in the fight against Boko Haram including support to those targeted by its indiscriminate campaign of violence, and assistance to find those who are missing.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ritchie on 2016-10-11.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions he has had with the Irish government on the potential implications for economic growth (a) on the island of Ireland and (b) in Northern Ireland of the UK leaving the EU.

Mr David Gauke

The Chancellor met his Irish counterpart on 22 September to discuss a range of issues relating to the UK’s EU exit. We look forward to working closely with the Irish Government and other key stakeholders as we develop our approach to this matter.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ritchie on 2016-01-06.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what recent discussions he has had with his counterparts in the devolved administrations on the implementation of the Rare Disease Strategy.

George Freeman

The implementation of the UK Rare Disease Strategy is monitored by the UK Rare Disease Forum which includes representatives from all the devolved administrations. The Forum will publish their first assessment of the progress made in implementing the UK Rare Disease Strategy at the end of February 2016.

The Rare Diseases Advisory Group (RDAG) makes recommendations to NHS England and the devolved administrations of NHS Scotland, NHS Wales and NHS Northern Ireland on developing and implementing the strategy for rare diseases and highly specialised services. The membership of RDAG also includes representation from the devolved administrations – NHS Scotland, NHS Wales and NHS Northern Ireland.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ritchie on 2015-11-05.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to encourage more retailers to sell milk brands that best support the domestic dairy industry.

George Eustice

The Secretary of State has written to all major supermarkets asking them to consider what more they might be able to do to increase their sourcing of UK dairy products and I am holding discussions with individual retailers, to encourage them to do more, particularly on processed dairy products.