Archive for 'Uncategorized'
UK will point the way to greener growth at Rio+20
The UK will be a driving force in pressing for new goals to help the world embrace a greener and more sustainable economy at this summer’s major UN conference in Brazil, Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman pledged today.
Final two members appointed to Animal Health and Welfare Board for England
The final two members of the Animal Health and Welfare Board for England (AHWBE) were appointed today.
Advice to pregnant women to avoid close contact with animals that are giving birth
Pregnant women should avoid close contact with animals that are giving birth, the Government advised today. The Department of Health, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and the Health and Safety Executive have issued annual advice for a number of years that pregnant women who come into close contact with sheep during lambing [...]
CAP plans don’t get to heart of challenges
UK environment Ministers today led a delegation including Ministers from Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland to meet EU Agriculure Commissioner Dacian Ciolos and ensure the Commission understood the impact of its proposed CAP reforms on the whole of the UK.
UK sets out priorities for EU fisheries negotiations
Fisheries Minister Richard Benyon today met with fishing industry representatives, ministers from the devolved administrations, and environmental NGOs to discuss the UK’s position for December Fish Council. There was widespread agreement that the European Commission’s approach to quota allocations needed to be based on scientific evidence and also ensure that discards are reduced. Speaking after [...]
New service for householders to stop unwanted advertising mail
Householders will have more control to stop the tonnes of unwanted advertising mail that drops through peoples’ letter boxes each year, Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman announced today. A new free-to-use website is being set-up as part of a joint Defra and direct marketing industry deal so householders can opt-out of receiving all types of advertising mail.
UK and Ireland join forces to preserve Mackerel stocks
UK Fisheries Minister Richard Benyon recruited another ally today to support Britain’s efforts to ensure that Mackerel stocks in the North Sea remain healthy whilst allowing fishermen to continue to fish a sensible amount in the area. In a meeting with Scottish Fisheries Minister Richard Lochhead and Simon Coveney TD, the Republic of Ireland’s Minister [...]
UK secures important breakthrough on management of fish stocks
The European Commission today agreed that fishing quotas will not be subject to an automatic cut by the EU if data about individual stocks is insufficient. Addressing the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council in Luxembourg today, Fisheries Commissioner Maria Damanaki said that she had dropped plans to impose an automatic cut of 25 per cent [...]
EU CAP reform proposals should go further
The European Commission’s proposals to reform the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) need to go further in order to deal with the twin challenges of international food security and protecting our wildlife and biodiversity, Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman said yesterday. The UK wants farm subsidies to steadily reduce in order to improve value for the taxpayer [...]
UK wins food fight
Food labelling will be clearer, simpler and more honest following heavy lobbying in Europe by the UK. The victory means it will be far easier for consumers to know what’s in the food they’re buying.