Defra has engaged extensively with a broad range of stakeholders in the development of policy to end the sale of peat and peat containing products. This has included representatives from the horticulture sector, environmental organisations, retailers, growers, and delivery bodies.

Given the breadth and ongoing nature of this engagement Defra does not hold a single consolidated list of all stakeholders consulted that could be published in a meaningful or proportionate way. However, engagement has been conducted in line with standard consultation practices, including formal public consultations and targeted stakeholder discussions.

Our contractors are currently collecting and collating the usage of peat and peat free alternative growing media for 2024 and 2025. We will publish this data in due course.

Network charges are set by the independent energy regulator, Ofgem, in line with the Connection and Use of System Code. As part of setting electricity transmission price controls under its RIIO‑T3 (ET3) Final Determinations, Ofgem carried out an impact assessment considering the overall effect of its decisions on domestic and non-domestic consumers. Details of Ofgem's impact assessment can be found through the following link: RIIO-3 Final Determinations – Impact Assessment

The Government and Ofgem closely monitor the impact of energy prices on businesses and communities and are committed to ensuring that energy costs are recovered fairly, including considering the ongoing role of standing charges.

Recent instability in the Middle East has shown how global events can push up prices here at home. Through Clean Power by 2030, we are investing in clean, homegrown power to strengthen energy security and bring bills down for good.

Defra continues to work closely with all cropping sectors as they face higher input costs particularly for fuel, energy, and fertiliser.

At the March 2026 meeting of the UK Agriculture Market Monitoring Group (UKAMMG), Defra and the Devolved Governments decided to closely monitor the price and availability of these key inputs in light of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

The UKAMMG monitors UK agricultural markets including price, supply, inputs, trade, and recent developments including international conflicts and extended unfavourable weather. The Group meets monthly, enabling it to provide forewarning of any atypical market movements.

Part 4 of Schedule 1 to The Separation of Waste (England) Regulations 2024 provides a list of plastics which are included in the recyclable plastic waste stream.

This includes PE, PET and PP pots which are larger than 40x40mm and do not contain any pigment which prevents them from being near-infrared detectable (e.g. carbon black pigment) within the plastic recyclable waste stream.

Defra engages regularly with local authority networks and will raise this matter with them, so they can communicate directly with their members about the legal requirement to collect this material.

We know that some local authorities are still to roll out changes beyond 31 March 2026 due to circumstances beyond their control, such as delivery timescales for collection vehicles and containers. In such circumstances, we expect local authorities to be taking all necessary steps to progress and keep their residents informed on timeframes for service changes.

We continue to work with local authority waste networks and the wider industry, providing targeted support to address the outstanding issues.

It is important that we continue our strategy to bring net migration down while also maintaining agricultural industries. I have met a number of people across the sector and of course I am happy to meet my hon. Friend after questions.

The horticultural sector in Cornwall is worth about £100 million a year, but it is reliant on the seasonal worker scheme. The scheme numbers are announced annually at the end of the year, but the daffodil season in Cornwall begins in January. Will Ministers meet me to discuss an earlier announcement and a two-year rolling scheme?

This Government promotes eating plenty of fruit and vegetables as part of a healthy, balanced diet. The Eatwell Guide illustrates this supported by the long-running 5 A DAY campaign. Defra is also working to deliver the 10 key outcomes of the Government’s Good Food Cycle, one of which is healthier and more affordable food.

Alongside this, Defra, food chain stakeholders and primary producers are co-designing a horticulture growth plan. This plan aims to collaboratively grow sector profit, productivity and contribute to national food security. This is likely to include growing the market share for our homegrown produce – whether through exports, retail, out of home market or public procurement.

I lobby the Home Office constantly on quite a lot of things; I will certainly make sure that daffodils are also taken into account.

Some 80% of the world’s cut daffodils come from Cornwall. The horticultural industry is totally reliant on the seasonal worker scheme, but the numbers for that are only announced annually at the end of the year, whereas the daffodil harvest begins in Cornwall in January. Can Ministers help me to lobby the Home Office for a rolling two-year scheme announced no later than October each year?

The Farming and Food Partnership Board has now held its second meeting, with continued progress being made on the development of the Horticulture Sector Growth Plan.

Meetings with horticulture sector experts are helping shape an industry-led, sector- driven plan that brings together government and industry expertise. These meetings provide a key opportunity for the sector to influence the plan’s direction, highlighting major challenges and opportunities to boost productivity and profitability

Part 4 of Schedule 1 to The Separation of Waste (England) Regulations 2024 provides a list of plastics which are included in the recyclable plastic waste stream. This includes PE, PET and PP pots which are larger than 40x40mm and do not contain any pigment which prevents them from being near-infrared detectable (e.g. carbon black pigment) within the plastic recyclable waste stream.

Defra engages regularly with local authority networks and will raise this matter with them, so they can communicate directly with their members about the legal requirement to collect this material.

We know that some local authorities will need longer to roll out changes beyond 31 March 2026 due to circumstances beyond their control, such as delivery timescales for collection vehicles and containers. In such circumstances, we expect local authorities to be taking all necessary steps within their control to progress and to keep their residents informed on timeframes for service changes. We continue to work with local authority waste networks and the wider industry, providing targeted support to help address the outstanding issues.

Part 4 of Schedule 1 to The Separation of Waste (England) Regulations 2024 provides a list of plastics which are included in the recyclable plastic waste stream. This includes PE, PET and PP pots which are larger than 40x40mm and do not contain any pigment which prevents them from being near-infrared detectable (e.g. carbon black pigment) within the plastic recyclable waste stream.

^Guidance has already been published to assist local authorities and other waste collectors and workplaces in implementing these requirements.

Defra engages regularly with local authority networks and will raise this matter with them, so they can communicate directly with their members about the legal requirement to collect this material.

Following the first meeting of the Farming and Food Partnership Board in March, work to prepare a Sector Growth Plan for the horticulture sector is now underway. This reflects its vital role in boosting domestic production, driving growth and strengthening national food security.

Meetings with horticulture sector experts have commenced to shape an industry-led, sector-owned plan that brings together government and industry expertise.

This plan will identify key industry challenges and where the biggest opportunities lie to boost productivity and profitability, while cutting environmental impact and improving animal welfare, all grounded in market realities and government priorities.