Evidence session
Tuesday 24 October at 14:30, Committee Room 6, Palace of Westminster
Watch live on parliament.tv
Today (Tuesday, 24th) Dr Neil Hudson MP and his Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee colleagues will question the Secretary of State, the Rt Hon Dr Thérèse Coffey MP, and the Department’s Permanent Secretary, Tamara Finkelstein.
The session will scrutinise the most pressing topics currently in DEFRA’s remit, including issues around food security and inflation, flood preparedness and coastal erosion, biodiversity, borders and biosecurity and the UK’s trade agreements.
MPs will probe the many issues relating to the water sector, including water quality, regulation and enforcement, sewage discharges into rivers and coastal areas, and they will also investigate the prospect of higher household water bills.
EFRA will explore the issues around nutrient neutrality regulations and maintaining environmental protections, in connection with housebuilding and development plans.
The Committee will examine subjects of importance to the agricultural sector, covering the implementation of Environmental Land Management schemes, risks from avian flu and other diseases, the potential for vaccination of poultry, and the serious difficulties facing tenant farmers.
Following the Committee’s recent evidence session on American XL bully dogs, MPs will also question the Secretary of State on the effectiveness of the Dangerous Dogs Act and the Department’s planning around the upcoming American XL bully ban.
Dr Neil Hudson MP said:
"Constructive scrutiny is an integral part of our democracy. Our parliamentary EFRA Select Committee provides independent oversight - giving praise where praise is due and helping overcome challenges facing the government.
"We look forward to raising a number of topics with the Secretary of State including dangerous dogs, flood preparedness, food security, biosecurity, biodiversity and much more."
Tuesday 24 October in Committee Room 6, Palace of Westminster
At 14:30:
· The Rt Hon Dr Thérèse Coffey MP, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
· Tamara Finkelstein, Permanent Secretary, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
ENDS
