Your questions answered
Below are the most popular questions and answers on current hot topics to the public.
- Why is Defra saying no to a badger cull and what is being done to control the spread of TB?
- Why is the target for reducing CO2 emissions in the UK 60%?
- Will emissions from aviation be included in the Climate Change Bill?
- I have concerns about Genetically Modified (GM) crops. Is the Government trying to find ways of growing them in this country?
- What are you doing to tackle fuel poverty?
Why is Defra saying no to a badger cull and what is being done to control the spread of TB?
The Secretary of State based his decision not to issue any licences to farmers to cull badgers for preventing bovine TB on a wide range of evidence. This included discussions with farming, veterinary, wildlife and conservation groups, the conclusions of the Independent Scientific Group on Cattle TB (ISG), and the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee (EFRA) report. Delivering an effective large area cull in practice would be a difficult and costly operation and need to be sustained for a number of years. Public opposition to culling could increase the challenge of effective delivery. We therefore cannot be certain any cull would be effective, and a badly delivered cull would make the situation worse.
We will instead be putting our efforts into strengthening our programme of research to develop cattle and badger vaccines and plan for their deployment. £20 million will be invested over the next three years in developing usable cattle and badger vaccines.
Cattle-based measures are critical to tackling this disease. The current cattle control measures which form part of the government’s TB control policy include the routine cattle testing programme, pre-movement testing for cattle moving from high risk herds, a zero tolerance regime for overdue tests and targeted use of the gamma interferon test. We are also encouraging good husbandry practice and actively pursuing the future use of vaccination of cattle or wildlife. For further information on bovine TB please visit: www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/tb/
Why is the target for reducing CO2 emissions in the UK 60%?
The target of at least a 60% reduction in CO2 as set out in the Bill is consistent with the March 2007 Spring European Council conclusions and the view of the Stern review, both of which call for developed countries to reduce their emissions by 60-80% by 2050. However, we recognise that our understanding of climate science and economics has developed significantly since the 60% target was set. That is why the Prime Minister said that the evidence now suggests that, as part of an international agreement, developed countries may have to reduce their emissions by up to 80%. The Government will put this evidence to the Committee on Climate Change, an independent, expert statutory body, and ask it to advise, as it begins to consider the first three five-year budgets, on whether our own domestic target should be tightened up to 80%.
Will emissions from aviation be included in the Climate Change Bill?
The Bill provides that these emissions could be included the UK’s carbon budget once international agreement is reached on how to attribute these emissions to individual countries – currently there is no such agreement and issues here are complex. However, significant progress was made in December when EU environment ministers reached agreement to include these emissions in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme. This will cap emissions from the aviation sector, so that any increase in emissions must be fully offset by requiring airlines to pay for the equivalent emissions reductions from elsewhere. The Government welcomed the progress that this agreement makes towards the implementation of a scheme which will enable the aviation sector to take responsibility for its carbon emissions in the most effective way. The proposal will now go to the European Parliament with the aim of reaching agreement towards the end of this year.
I have concerns about Genetically Modified (GM) crops. Is the Government trying to find ways of growing them in this country?
Ensuring GM crops are safe for human health and the environment remains our top priority. The Government therefore supports the existing EU controls which require proposed GM products to undergo a detailed case-by-case risk assessment. We have no intention of agreeing to the commercial cultivation of GM crops in the UK unless it is clear that the environment will not be compromised. There is no question of GM crops being forced on anyone. Any GM products that secure EU marketing approval will have to be clearly labelled so that people will be able to decide for themselves whether or not to use them.
We do believe that it is right to look at the potential for some crops to help developing countries improve their food security. Although the current generation of GM crops does not give an intrinsic yield benefit, it may increase production indirectly, for example by reducing the level of pest damage. In addition, new types of GM crops are being developed with traits such as drought tolerance and disease resistance. If these work and are used responsibly, they could help alongside other improvements to make agriculture more efficient and sustainable, especially in areas of the developing world where growing conditions are difficult. Given the pressure on food prices and food security, we should keep an open mind and look at the issues fairly, based on the evidence.
What are you doing to tackle fuel poverty?
The Warm Front Scheme is designed to support the most vulnerable fuel poor households. Qualifying households are now eligible for the installation of a central heating system, and we have extended the provision of Benefit Entitlement Checks to help boost household income.
For more information please visit: www.warmfront.co.uk/
The Energy Retail Association launched the Home Heat Helpline in October 2005 (0800 33 66 99). This provides vulnerable customers with a central point of information about energy efficiency measures and tariff advice across the different energy suppliers.
The Department of Health's “Keep Warm, Keep Well” campaign also provides advice about the health dangers of cold housing. It suggests practical sources of help and advice to protect vulnerable householders.
Page last modified: 22 September 2008
Page published: 23 June 2008