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Session
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2001-02
Type
House
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2001-02 (33)
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Lords statement on what action they are taking to conserve and enhance biodiversity in England. [HL 6181]. - Inc fact that today we are publishing a biodiversity strategy for England, 'Working with the grain of nature', in Library.
Lords statement on what action they are taking to conserve and enhance biodiversity in England. [HL 6181]. - Inc fact that today we are publishing a biodiversity strategy for England, 'Working with the grain of nature', in Library.
Asked by
Baroness Nicol
(Labour)
Answered by
Lord Whitty
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
For answer on
28 October 2002
Answered on
28 October 2002
Subjects
Agriculture; Business; Coastal areas; Countryside; Biodiversity; Environment protection; Forestry; Nature conservation; Water; Sustainable development; Urban areas
Date
28 October 2002
Reference
640 c7-8WA; HL 6181
House
House of Lords
Statement on what action she is taking to conserve and enhance biodiversity in England; and if she will make a statement. - Inc refs to "Working with the grain of nature" (Dep 02/2059) and Rural White Paper, "Our Countryside, the future: a fair deal for rural England" (Letter in Library...
Statement on what action she is taking to conserve and enhance biodiversity in England; and if she will make a statement. - Inc refs to "Working with the grain of nature" (Dep 02/2059) and Rural White Paper, "Our Countryside, the future: a fair deal for rural England" (Letter in Library...
Asked by
Michael Jabez Foster
(Labour)
Answered by
Baroness Beckett
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
23 October 2002
For answer on
24 October 2002
Answered on
24 October 2002
Mr. Michael Jabez Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what action she is taking to
conserve and enhance biodiversity in England; and if she will make a statement. [77743]
Mrs. Beckett: Today I am publishing a biodiversity strategy for England. The document, ``Working with the grain of nature'' is being
placed in the House libraries.
The undertaking to prepare a biodiversity strategy for England was made in the Rural White Paper, ``Our Countryside, the future: a
fair deal for rural England''. The Strategy is intended to build on the progress that the Government has already made in protecting
and enhancing biodiversity in England, for example with greater protection for sites of Special Scientific Interest under the
Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 and the implementation of 436 biodiversity action plans for priority habitats and species. We
recognise that we can only secure the long-term health of biodiversity that is needed to bring a truly sustainable future by also
achieving fundamental changes to public policy and the behaviour of people across the board.
The Strategy sets this process in train by seeking to embed biodiversity considerations into all the main sectors of economic
activity, public and private. The Strategy sets out a vision and programme for the next five years for five important policy
sectors.
In Agriculture, we aim to encourage the management of farming and agricultural land so as to conserve and enhance biodiversity as
part of the Government's Sustainable Food and Farming Strategy.
In water, we aim for a whole catchment approach to the wise, sustainable use of water and wetlands.
In woodland and forestry, we are looking for the management and extension of woodland so as to promote enhanced biodiversity and
quality of life.
In marine and coastal management, we aim to achieve the sustainable use and management of our coasts and seas using natural
processes and the ecosystem-based approach.
In urban areas, we want biodiversity to become a part of the development of policy on sustainable communities, urban green space and
the built environment.
The Strategy also identifies a number of cross-cutting themes, with the aim of involving society as a whole in the achievement of
biodiversity improvements. For example, we aim to encourage business to act for biodiversity in the boardroom, through the supply
chain, in their management systems, in their annual reports and accounts and on the ground. We will also help make biodiversity part
of people's everyday lives through information, communication and education and establish a mechanism to involve children and young
people in the development of biodiversity policy. In addition, we will continue to encourage partnerships for biodiversity at local
and regional levels in England.
It will be essential to ensure that we measure biodiversity trends and the effects of our policies. Much work is already underway to
improve the information that is available to understand the status of habitats and species, and the Strategy announces the
development of a new web-based Biodiversity Action Reporting System to be launched in 2003 and the adoption of a set of biodiversity
indicators to measure our progress. These indicators will be published in full within a year.
This Government Strategy has been prepared, uniquely, with the active contributions of a large number of partners and stakeholders.
We shall continue to rely on the widest possible partnership as we move forward to implementation. The partnership will be
represented through the England Biodiversity Group, which will review the Strategy annually and publish a report on progress in
2006.
Subjects
Agriculture; Business; Coastal areas; Countryside; Biodiversity; Environment protection; Forestry; Nature conservation; Water; Sustainable development; Urban areas
Date
24 October 2002
Reference
77743; 391 c477-8W;391 c475-6W
House
House of Commons
Lords Statement on the spending plans for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and for the Forestry Commission for the next three years following the 2002 Spending Review. [HL 5431]. - Inc table and ref to Chapter 16 of 2002 Spending Review (Cm 5570).
Lords Statement on the spending plans for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and for the Forestry Commission for the next three years following the 2002 Spending Review. [HL 5431]. - Inc table and ref to Chapter 16 of 2002 Spending Review (Cm 5570).
Asked by
Baroness Gibson of Market Rasen
(Labour)
Answered by
Lord Whitty
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
For answer on
23 July 2002
Answered on
23 July 2002
Subjects
Disadvantaged; Agriculture; Countryside; Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Finance; Flood control; Environment protection; Disease control; Food; Forestry; Forestry Commission; Farmers; Livestock; Public expenditure; Nature conservation; Staff; Sustainable development; Waste management; Research; Waste disposal; Rural areas; Science; Bovine tuberculosis
Date
23 July 2002
Reference
638 c52-7WA; HL 5431
House
House of Lords
SI 2002/1890 (Negative instrument). Coming into force 12 August 2002
SI 2002/1890 (Negative instrument). Coming into force 12 August 2002
Department
Department for Transport
Type
Statutory instruments
Procedure
Negative
Laid on
22 July 2002
Made on
17 July 2002
Coming into force
12 August 2002
Legislation
European Communities Act 1972; Agricultural or Forestry Tractors and Tractor Components (Type Approval) (Amendment) Regulations 2002
Subjects
Agriculture; Components; Engines; EU law; Forestry; Agricultural machinery; Motor vehicle type approval; Tractors
Commons Library location
UP 1843 2001/02
Date
22 July 2002
Reference
SI 2002/1890
House
House of Commons; House of Lords
SI 2002/1891 (Negative instrument). Coming into force 12 August 2002
SI 2002/1891 (Negative instrument). Coming into force 12 August 2002
Department
Department for Transport
Type
Statutory instruments
Procedure
Negative
Laid on
22 July 2002
Made on
17 July 2002
Coming into force
12 August 2002
Legislation
European Communities Act 1972; Agricultural or Forestry Tractors (Emission of Gaseous and Particulate Pollutants) Regulations 2002
Subjects
Agriculture; Engines; Exhaust emissions; Forestry; Pollution control; Agricultural machinery; Tractors
Commons Library location
UP 1837 2001/02
Date
22 July 2002
Reference
SI 2002/1891
House
House of Commons; House of Lords
Statement on what the spending plans for her Department and for the Forestry Commission are for the next three years following the 2002 Spending Review; and if she will make a statement. - Includes figures and tables.
Statement on what the spending plans for her Department and for the Forestry Commission are for the next three years following the 2002 Spending Review; and if she will make a statement. - Includes figures and tables.
Asked by
Meg Munn
(Labour; Co-operative Party)
Answered by
Baroness Beckett
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
18 July 2002
For answer on
19 July 2002
Answered on
19 July 2002
Ms Munn: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the spending plans for her Department and for
the Forestry Commission are for the next three years following the 2002 Spending Review; and if she will make a statement. [72215]
Mrs Beckett: The results of the Spending Review for DEFRA and the Forestry Commission are summarised in Chapter 16 of the White
Paper on "2002 Spending Review" (Cm 5570). The key figures are as follows:
_________________________________________________________________________________________________.
£ million 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06
Department for Environment,
Food and Rural Affairs
Resource Budget 2,443 2,765 2,742 2,792
Capital Budget 241 316 344 354
Total Departmental 2,523 2,902 2,890 2,944
Expenditure Limit1
Department of Environment 2,426 2,808 2,796 2,850
Food and Rural Affairs1
Forestry Commission1 97 94 94 94
Near-cash spending in DEFRA 2,341 2,727 2,710 2,757
DEL2
_________________________________________________________________________________________________.
1Full resource budgeting basis, net of depreciation.
2Consistent with previous control basis.
When DEFRA was created, the objective was have a step change in the way environment, agriculture and rural issues were treated in
Government. The aim was to create a department with sustainable development at its heart-- and with responsibility for supporting
sustainable development across Government. For DEFRA this means working to achieve a better environment at home and internationally.
It also means a food and farming industry working within a prosperous countryside, producing the food that consumers want in harmony
with the environment.
For the Government as a whole, sustainable development goes much further. The vital importance of sustainable development for
Government as a whole underlay the decision to make it a central theme of the Spending Review. As custodian of the Government's
sustainable development strategy, I particularly welcome the elements of the Settlement, for my own Department and for others, which
will deliver significant improvements in key policy areas. These include:
Climate change--where we will invest in innovation to meet our Climate Change objectives, building on existing funding for renewable
energy sources with an additional £38 million in 2005-06 compared with 2002-03, and make further progress towards our greenhouse gas
emissions targets
Health--where we have announced the biggest ever sustained spending growth in the history of the NHS, to improve health outcomes and
the quality of care for patients;
Education--where increased spending and further reforms are aimed at getting and helping 16-19 year olds into further education;
And Crime--where extra funding for the police will help them target reductions in vehicle crime, domestic burglaries and robbery,
and reduce the gap between the highest crime local areas and the best comparable areas In addition, new spending on transport and
regeneration will improve the quality of our local environments. For example, capital expenditure on capital transport plans-- which
includes expenditure on home zones, cycling, walking and local safety schemes--is doubling in real terms from 2001-2011 as part of
the Ten Year Transport plan. The Neighbourhood Renewal fund is being increased from £400 million in 2003-04 to £525 million in
2005-06, in part reflecting an increased commitment to safer and cleaner communities.
Let me now explain how the Spending Review settlement will impact on DEFRA's programmes over the next three years and will assist
the Department in pursuing its aims and objectives.
Departmental Spending Plans
Sustainable Farming and Food
When DEFRA was created, the farming industry was in crisis. Foot and mouth disease, coupled with the lowest farm incomes in many
years--had destroyed farmers' confidence, and in some cases, their livelihoods. The Review provides DEFRA with the resources to make
progress--working together with the industry--towards a more sustainable future for the farming and food industries. Investment
totalling over £500 million over three years will be available to support the key recommendations of the Policy Commission chaired
by Sir Don Curry, and to improve animal health and welfare:
Action through the England Rural Development Programme, including:
A new broad and shallow agri-environment scheme which will reward farmers for delivering environmentally friendly outcomes to be
piloted over the next 2 years and then rolled out in full in 2005-06;
An expansion of schemes such as the Rural Enterprise Scheme, the Processing and Marketing Grants Scheme, and the Vocational Training
Scheme, to assist people in rural areas retrain, diversify and extend their businesses; A more efficient food chain; Enhanced farm
advice; Further measures to improve animal health and welfare, including livestock identification and tracing systems, enhanced
testing for TSE-type disease (such as BSE); and further action to prevent illegal meat imports.
The additional funding will rise to £200 million in 2005-06 of which £75 million has been specifically allocated to fund, alongside
equivalent EU funding, the full roll-out of the new agri-environment scheme in England. Additional funding will also be made
available to the Devolved Administrations to allow them to increase expenditure on their Rural Development Programmes. In return for
the investment in their industry, farmers will be expected to play their part in making the industry sustainable, for example by
acting to reduce the risks of animal diseases. I know they will co-operate with us fully in achieving these joint goals.
The Government will continue to press for radical reform of the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) in the negotiations on the Mid-Term
Review of Agenda 2000 which began earlier this week. But the resources allocated in the Spending Review allow DEFRA to press ahead
with reform and modernisation of the farming industry now. The Department will publish its strategy for sustainable farming and food
in the autumn. I am very pleased that Sir Don Curry has agreed to chair a Group which will act as a driver and overseer of change in
the farming and food sectors through the implementation of the farming and food strategy, to ensure that we move rapidly towards a
more sustainable, competitive and diverse farming and food industry which contributes to a thriving rural economy. The Group will
report to me.
The Settlement recognises the need to prevent, control and manage the risk of animal disease, where we are driven by the memory of
last year's outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease as well as the legacy of BSE. The additional resources provided will allow funding of
a wide range of work on animal health issues These measures will be set in the context of a comprehensive animal health and welfare
strategy, as recommended by the Policy Commission. This will address ways in which the industry should bear its share of the costs
of animal health controls and services. I am also please to be able to announce that we have secured additional funds to deal with
Bovine TB this year. These will be used to pay for the extra staff and resources already committed to work on the TB testing backlog
and control measures, and additional casual staff who will be recruited to supplement this work. Testing is being carried out on the
basis of a veterinary risk assessment, with those posing the greatest risk being tested first.
A countryside for all to enjoy
In addition to the new agri-environment scheme, which will play an important role in making the countryside more attractive and in
helping to preserve biodiversity, the Spending Review has allocated an additional £5 million in 2004-05 and £10 million in 2005-06
for work in bringing our major wildlife sites into favourable condition. In addition, the extra funding of £5 million in 2003-04 and
£10 million in the two following years to implement the Countryside and Rights of Way (CROW) Act will increase public access and
enjoyment of our beautiful countryside landscapes.
Thriving rural economies and communities
The investment in sustainable food and farming, in improving the condition of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and in
opening up access to the countryside will benefit the wider rural economy. However, DEFRA's leadership role on rural affairs goes
beyond this and our new rural PSA target reflects this. It commits us to reducing the gap in productivity between the least well
performing rural areas and the English average and making services more accessible for rural people. DEFRA will work with other
Government Departments and agencies to deliver this and to ensure that the rural-proofing of their policies and programmes helps to
deliver real improvements in prosperity and access to public services. The Spending Review White Paper sets out a range of
commitments from other Departments to deliver key services in rural areas, and ensure that rural people benefit from the extra
resources delivered through the review. The extra £25 million allocated in the Settlement over three years, will further increase
the additional funds announced in the Rural White Paper to help regenerate in market towns and improve the ability of rural
communities and the rural voluntary sector to deliver services in support of the socially excluded and progress towards solutions to
key rural concerns in each region.
Protecting our communities from flooding
Government investment in flood defence has increased significantly in real terms since 1997. Additional funding of £15 million a
year was made available in the wake of the autumn 2000 floods. The new funds over and above this which have been allocated in the
Spending Review will ensure that this growth will now accelerate to reach 8.6 per cent a year in real terms over the SR2002 period.
The further allocation to the Department of £15 million in 2004-05 and £40 million in 2005-06, together with the amounts available
for grants to local authorities and the revenues we expect to be able to raise from new funding mechanisms, will deliver an increase
of £150 million in the third year of the Review. This level of resources, together with simplification of the administration of
flood defences and effective partnership working with homeowners, local government, the Environment Agency, scientists and the
insurance industry will allow us to reduce the risk of threats to life and damage to property from flooding.
Sustainable use of resources: the challenge from waste
The Spending Review Settlement takes into account the pressures on local government and provides for spending on environmental,
protective and cultural services, including waste management, to rise by £671 million by 2005-06. The funds will also enable them to
deal with the short-term problems of fridge disposal and changes to the legislation on hazardous waste. Final decisions on
additional resources for addressing the challenge of growth in municipal waste and moving away from landfill disposal and on other
policy measures will be made available when the Performance and Innovation Unit (PIU) publishes its report into sustainable waste
management in the autumn. These decisions and those on landfill tax and the future of the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme (LTCS) will
deliver a step change in performance. DEFRA's PSA target of 25 per cent recycling and composting of household waste by 2005-6
demonstrates the government's commitment to radical reform of municipal waste management.
Science
Evidence-based policy work is central to DEFRA's approach. I want, at the very least, to maintain the Department's expenditure on
research in real terms over the Spending Review period. This is consistent with our commitment to the development of a strong and
high quality science base. It will ensure that DEFRA's policy making continues to be based in the latest evidence and scientific and
economic analysis. We will aim to increase science spending in our identified priority areas. These include: environmental
horizon-scanning, climate change and extreme weather, a supercomputer to strengthen the UK climate change research capability,
non-food crops, organic food production, and animal disease. We will also examine the findings of the Foot and Mouth Disease
inquiries closely and determine if any additional funding for research is required in these areas.
Investment in the Department
A theme of the Spending Review across all Departments has been ensuring that they have the necessary capacity to deliver. That has
been a primary focus of the Developing DEFRA change programme that was set up after the Department was created last year. Additional
funding of £140 million over the Spending Review period for investment in the Department will enable it to take forward the next
phase of the change programme flowing from the recent Joint Strategic Review carried out with the Office for Public Service Reform
(OPSR). The investment will give staff the tools they need to change their ways of working, focus on customers and deliver the high
quality services that will build DEFRA's reputation as a respected, high performing, and efficient Department.
Forestry Commission
The Forestry Commission is funded on a net basis after taking account of the income it received, mainly from sales of timber from
the public forests. Its timber income has fallen significantly in recent years due to a worldwide slump in timber prices. The
Spending Review Settlement provides additional funding of £5 million a year on top of the 2003-04 baseline to enable the Commission
to continue to drive forward the Government's England Forestry Strategy despite the reduction in timber income. This new money
underlines forestry's important place in England's rural affairs and will allow the Commission to extend sustainable forests
management, restore more native woodlands, increase community forests and the role of forests in tackling industrial dereliction. In
addition to the funding shown in the White Paper, the Commission is also benefiting from special funding from the Capital
Modernisation Fund and the Invest to Save Budget amounting to almost £11 million in the next 2 years.
Conclusion
Spending by the Department in 2005-06 will be more than £400 million higher than in 2002-03, supporting a programme of reform. It
fulfils the Government's pledge to introduce a significant programme of measures to move the food and farming industries to a
long-term sustainable basis, to create thriving and prosperous rural economies and communities and to improve the environment. And
it takes full account of the Department's lead role in promoting sustainable development across Government for the good of our
citizens, both now and in the future.
Subjects
Disadvantaged; Agriculture; Countryside; Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Finance; Flood control; Environment protection; Disease control; Food; Forestry; Forestry Commission; Farmers; Livestock; Public expenditure; Nature conservation; Staff; Sustainable development; Waste management; Research; Waste disposal; Rural areas; Science; Bovine tuberculosis
Date
19 July 2002
Reference
389 c627-31W; 72215
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps (a) have been taken and (b) are planned by her Department to increase the number of trees planted in the United Kingdom; and if she will make a statement.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps (a) have been taken and (b) are planned by her Department to increase the number of trees planted in the United Kingdom; and if she will make a statement.
Asked by
Lord Bruce of Bennachie
(Liberal Democrat)
Answered by
Elliot Morley
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
24 June 2002
For answer on
3 July 2002
Answered on
3 July 2002
Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps (a) have been taken and (b) are
planned by her Department to increase the number of trees planted in the United Kingdom; and if she will make a statement. [64786]
Mr. Morley: Forestry is a devolved matter. Our Forestry Strategy sets out our strategic priorities and programmes for forestry in
England. Achieving a re-expansion of woodland cover is a key aim of that strategy, and is also one of our indicators of sustainable
development.
We give grants for planting new woodland under the farm woodland premium scheme and the Forestry Commission's woodland grant scheme.
We also provide support for new planting in the National Forest and the Community Forests. Over the seven year period of the England
Rural Development Programme our target is to create 30,000 hectares of new woodland.
Subjects
Forestry; Trees; Tree planting
Date
3 July 2002
Reference
388 c374-5W;388 c372-3W; 64786
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what area is planted to short rotation coppice and miscanthus grass in the UK; and if she will make a statement. - Includes figures.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what area is planted to short rotation coppice and miscanthus grass in the UK; and if she will make a statement. - Includes figures.
Asked by
David Lidington
(Conservative)
Answered by
Baroness Beckett
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
19 June 2002
For answer on
1 July 2002
Answered on
1 July 2002
Mr. Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what area is planted to short rotation coppice
and miscanthus grass in the UK; and if she will make a statement. [64126]
Margaret Beckett: 1,800 hectares of energy crops have been planted in the UK. This is primarily short rotation coppice but includes
about 50 hectares of miscanthus. This Department has allocated support of £29 million to solid biomass crops through the Energy
Crops Scheme, part of the England Rural Development Programme. Working with other Departments we have put in place schemes with
funding of £70 million which will develop markets for biomass, including purpose grown energy crops and material from forests, in
heat, combined heat and power and electricity generation. We are also working closely with the Countryside Agency which has launched
the Community Renewables Initiative to help local communities develop renewable energy projects. The Renewables Obligation permits
the co-firing of energy crops with fossil fuels. The Government have also welcomed the publication of the Energy Review by the
Performance and Innovation Unit, which draws attention to the key role of renewable energy sources, including energy crops, in
moving to a low carbon economy. Consultation on the key recommendations of the report will lead to a White Paper in the autumn.
Subjects
Crops; Agriculture; Biofuels; Forestry; Renewable energy
Date
1 July 2002
Reference
388 c65-6W;388 c66-7W; 64126
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps her Department is taking to develop a programme of action to follow on from the memorandum of understanding between the UK and Indonesia to combat illegal logging signed in April.
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps her Department is taking to develop a programme of action to follow on from the memorandum of understanding between the UK and Indonesia to combat illegal logging signed in April.
Asked by
Joan Walley
(Labour)
Answered by
Clare Short
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for International Development
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
20 June 2002
For answer on
27 June 2002
Answered on
27 June 2002
Ms Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps her Department is taking to develop a programme of
action to follow on from the memorandum of understanding between the UK and Indonesia to combat illegal logging signed in April.
[64352]
Clare Short: Since the signing of the memorandum of understanding on 18 April, DFID, in close conjunction with officials in other
Government Departments, has taken a number of steps to implement the agreement.
In May, DFID officials visited Indonesia and agreed a detailed programme of action to implement the memorandum. Indonesian officials
will visit the UK in July to finalise this programme. During this visit they will meet with British Government officials,
representatives of the UK Timber Trades Federation and non-governmental organisations.
The exploitation of forest resources in Indonesia is subject to a very large number of inconsistent and often contradictory laws.
Consolidated and revised legislation is not practical in the short to medium term. My Department has therefore also commissioned two
consultancies (involving UK and Indonesian experts) to address two fundamental aspects of the agreement: the establishment of
workable criteria to define legality; and the identification of possible systems of mandatory compliance.
The results of this work, which is already under way, are expected by the end of August.
Subjects
Crime; Law and order; Forestry; Treaties; Timber; Tree felling; Indonesia
Date
27 June 2002
Reference
64352; 387 c995W;387 c993W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the total value of capital equipment owned by Forest Enterprise disposed of by (a) public auction, (b) open tender and (c) other means was in each of the last five years. - Includes table.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the total value of capital equipment owned by Forest Enterprise disposed of by (a) public auction, (b) open tender and (c) other means was in each of the last five years. - Includes table.
Asked by
Peter Duncan
(Conservative)
Answered by
Elliot Morley
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
16 May 2002
For answer on
10 June 2002
Answered on
10 June 2002
Mr. Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the total value of capital equipment
owned by Forest Enterprise disposed of by (a) public auction, (b) open tender and (c) other means was in each of the last five
years. [58151]
Mr. Morley: The table shows the value of capital equipment disposed of by Forest Enterprise in Great Britain in the last five years,
all of which was sold following public auction or open tender. (In a very few instances the expected price was not reached at the
auction or tender. In these cases, Forest Enterprise negotiated with bidders to obtain an increased offer.)
£
_________________________________________________________________________________________________.
Financial year Capital equipment sold
1997-98 1,027,000
1998-99 1,296,000
1999-2000 1,447,000
2000-01 1,155,000
2001-02 1,003,000
_________________________________________________________________________________________________.
In year 2001-02, the amount raised by open tender was £602,000 (60 per cent.) while the amount raised from public auction was
£401,000 (40 per cent.). The amounts raised from each type of sale in the previous four years are not readily available but it is
estimated that the percentage ratio would be similar to year 2001-02.
Subjects
Auctions; Forestry; Equipment; Sales; Forest Enterprise
Date
10 June 2002
Reference
58151; 386 c928-9W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether vehicles owned by Forest Enterprise, exempt from vehicle excise duty under section 183 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, are used to service or deliver capital equipment sold to third parties.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether vehicles owned by Forest Enterprise, exempt from vehicle excise duty under section 183 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, are used to service or deliver capital equipment sold to third parties.
Asked by
Peter Duncan
(Conservative)
Answered by
Elliot Morley
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
16 May 2002
For answer on
10 June 2002
Answered on
10 June 2002
Mr. Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether vehicles owned by Forest Enterprise,
exempt from vehicle excise duty under section 183 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, are used to service or deliver capital equipment
sold to third parties. [58150]
Mr. Morley: Forest Enterprise does not use vehicles which are exempt from vehicle excise duty to deliver capital equipment after it
has been sold. These vehicles may, however, be used on service jobs, including instances where Forest Enterprise has agreed to
service capital equipment it has sold.
Subjects
Forestry; Equipment; Taxation; Vehicles; Forest Enterprise
Date
10 June 2002
Reference
58150; 386 c928W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will publish the depreciation policies used in respect of Forest Enterprise capital equipment and vehicles.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will publish the depreciation policies used in respect of Forest Enterprise capital equipment and vehicles.
Asked by
Peter Duncan
(Conservative)
Answered by
Elliot Morley
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
16 May 2002
For answer on
10 June 2002
Answered on
10 June 2002
Mr. Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will publish the depreciation
policies used in respect of Forest Enterprise capital equipment and vehicles. [58152]
Mr. Morley: The depreciation policy for Forest Enterprise's fixed assets is published each year in the Notes to the Forest
Enterprise Accounts within the Forestry Commission's annual reports for Great Britain and England, Scotland, and Wales. Copies of
the reports are held in the Library of the House.
Subjects
Forestry; Equipment; Forest Enterprise
Date
10 June 2002
Reference
58152; 386 c928W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make a statement on Forest Enterprise procurement procedures for forestry harvesting and transport equipment.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make a statement on Forest Enterprise procurement procedures for forestry harvesting and transport equipment.
Asked by
Peter Duncan
(Conservative)
Answered by
Elliot Morley
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
8 May 2002
For answer on
15 May 2002
Answered on
15 May 2002
Mr. Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on Forest
Enterprise procurement procedures for forestry harvesting and transport equipment. [55819]
Mr. Morley: Forest Enterprise procurement procedures for forestry harvesting and transport equipment follow HM Treasury guidelines
and EU regulations and directives.
Subjects
EU law; Forestry; Equipment; Procurement; Forest Enterprise
Date
15 May 2002
Reference
55819; 385 c654W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what procedures are in place in Forest Enterprise for ensuring best value in (a) procuring and (b) disposing of forestry capital equipment contracts.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what procedures are in place in Forest Enterprise for ensuring best value in (a) procuring and (b) disposing of forestry capital equipment contracts.
Asked by
Peter Duncan
(Conservative)
Answered by
Elliot Morley
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
8 May 2002
For answer on
15 May 2002
Answered on
15 May 2002
Mr. Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what procedures are in place in Forest
Enterprise for ensuring best value in (a) procuring and (b) disposing of forestry capital equipment contracts. [55815]
Mr. Morley: Forest Enterprise follows HM Treasury guidelines which are designed to ensure best value for use of public funds. The
procurement of forestry capital equipment is subject to European Union procurement directives, and Forest Enterprise requirements
are therefore advertised in the Official Journal of the European Community. Disposal of forestry capital equipment is carried out by
open tender and public auction.
Subjects
Contracts; Costs; EU law; Forestry; Procurement; Forest Enterprise
Date
15 May 2002
Reference
55815; 385 c654W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what action the Government has taken to reduce the logging of rainforests and discuss these matters with mining companies.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what action the Government has taken to reduce the logging of rainforests and discuss these matters with mining companies.
Asked by
Jimmy Wray
(Labour)
Answered by
Clare Short
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for International Development
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
25 April 2002
For answer on
13 May 2002
Answered on
13 May 2002
Mr. Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what action the Government have taken to reduce the
logging of rainforests and to discuss these matters with mining companies. [53653]
Clare Short: I have been asked to reply.
Logging of rainforests is not necessarily a bad thing. It can bring income and jobs to poor people. If done carefully logging need
not threaten the long-term sustainability of these forests or the environmental services they provide.
Logging should not take place in protected areas or in contravention of other laws and regulations. My Department is working with a
number of countries to help improve forest law enforcement and governance and tackle illegal logging and associated trade.
The Government have not discussed logging of rainforests with mining companies.
Subjects
Forestry; Rainforests; Tree felling
Date
13 May 2002
Reference
53653; 385 c423W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what recent assessment she has made of the value for money achieved by the Cross River State Community Forestry Project in Nigeria. - Including figures.
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what recent assessment she has made of the value for money achieved by the Cross River State Community Forestry Project in Nigeria. - Including figures.
Asked by
John Bercow
(Conservative)
Answered by
Clare Short
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for International Development
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
10 April 2002
For answer on
29 April 2002
Answered on
29 April 2002
Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment she has made of the value for money
achieved by the Cross River State Community Forestry Project in Nigeria. [49200]
Clare Short: The Department has been involved with Cross River communities, in the use and management of forest resources on a
sustainable basis, at varying times over the last seven years. Implementation on the latest programme commenced in July 1999 and is
due to complete in January 2003.
This project was last formally assessed during an Output-to-Purpose Review (OPR) in September 2001 in conjunction with the Canadian
International Development Agency (CIDA). The review team observed significant achievements over the two-year period compared to the
slow progress under military rule prior to 1999. Most notably, the conclusions from the OPR related to economy, efficiency and
effectiveness highlighted the following: 33 forest management committees (FMCs) have been established. Strong partnerships have
developed between all stakeholders in a number of these and communities are organising themselves according to a common constitution
to protect their rights and forest. Communities have shown more commitment to the sustainable management of their forest resources
and to curbing illegal exploitation. This has been largely due to public awareness of the value and importance of sustainable forest
management undertaken by the project. Communities are receiving a greater share of forest royalties more promptly while changes in
forest laws promoted by the project, which will strengthen communities' rights over forests, are about to be submitted. Capacity of
community based forest organisations and of the forestry commission staff have improved with training provided under the project.
An important component of the project worked on the institutional strengthening and capacity building of the Forest Commission (FC)
to enable it to facilitate implementation of the forest sector strategy and action plan. The capacity of the state to play its role
in joint management of forest resources is crucial to sustaining the productive capacity and biological resources and to ecological
significance of the tropical high forest. Notable achievements here are: Technical assistance initiated by the project in 1999 has
been significant in introducing genuine joint management of strategic forest resources. A new institutional change programme
sponsored by the project is significantly assisting the process of institution reform and financial efficiency and accountability
within the FC. A forest sector strategy and an action plan have been drafted under the project while a community forestry support
unit has been established within the forest commission. Illegal logging and transport of timber have been reduced. A number of
short-term (international and local) consultancies have provided valuable input into the project implementation eg the Non Timber
Forest Products consultancy while the Legal Framework consultancy provided groundwork for the proposed changes in the laws.
Overall, the review team concluded that the project purpose was likely to be partially achieved, significant given the original risk
assessment rated this project as medium to high risk, later amended to high risk. This achievement rating could be changed during
the next review. CIDA have agreed to continue working with the forestry commission and the communities when DFID's input completes
next year. DFID's withdrawal is solely linked to our stated strategy to focus on a limited number of reforming states (four). These
states are in the south-west, south-east, north and middle belt. Cross River state is in the south geo-political zone.
Subjects
Cost effectiveness; Development aid; Forestry; Nigeria
Date
29 April 2002
Reference
49200; 384 c549-50W;384 c547-8W
House
House of Commons
Whether they will make it illegal to import timber which has been illegally sourced. [HL 3610].
Whether they will make it illegal to import timber which has been illegally sourced. [HL 3610].
Asked by
Lord Beaumont of Whitley
(Other (affiliation))
Answered by
Lord Whitty
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
For answer on
11 April 2002
Answered on
11 April 2002
Subjects
Crime; Government departments; Law and order; International cooperation; Forestry; EU action; Imports; Procurement; Timber; Tree felling
Date
11 April 2002
Reference
633 c122-3WA; HL 3610
House
House of Lords
When the moratorium on pine tree felling ends at the Ainsdale Nature Reserve at Southport and Formby; and whether there is to be any extension of this moratorium, should it be nearing its end. [HL 2831].
When the moratorium on pine tree felling ends at the Ainsdale Nature Reserve at Southport and Formby; and whether there is to be any extension of this moratorium, should it be nearing its end. [HL 2831].
Asked by
Lord Fearn
(Liberal Democrat)
Answered by
Lord Whitty
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
For answer on
27 February 2002
Answered on
27 February 2002
Subjects
Forestry; Nature conservation; Tree felling; Southport; Nature reserves
Date
27 February 2002
Reference
HL 2831; 631 c237WA
House
House of Lords
SI 2002/296 (Negative instrument). Coming into force 5 March 2002
SI 2002/296 (Negative instrument). Coming into force 5 March 2002
Department
Forestry Commission
Type
Statutory instruments
Procedure
Negative
Laid on
12 February 2002
Made on
12 February 2002
Coming into force
5 March 2002
Legislation
Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1972; Plant Health Act 1967; Treatment of Spruce Bark (Amendment) Order 2002
Subjects
Diseases; Forestry; Trees; Conifers
Commons Library location
UP 1011 2001/02
Date
12 February 2002
Reference
SI 2002/296
House
House of Commons; House of Lords
Lords Statement on whether they plan to review the options for further decentralising forestry policy and management, in the light of continuing experience of devolution. [HL 2232]. - Includes ref to to 10 April 2001, 366 c584W.
Lords Statement on whether they plan to review the options for further decentralising forestry policy and management, in the light of continuing experience of devolution. [HL 2232]. - Includes ref to to 10 April 2001, 366 c584W.
Asked by
Baroness Gale
(Labour)
Answered by
Lord Whitty
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
For answer on
10 January 2002
Answered on
10 January 2002
Subjects
Devolution; Forestry; Policy; Reviews
Date
10 January 2002
Reference
HL 2232; 630 c122WA
House
House of Lords