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Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee: Minutes of Proceedings 2008–09 1

Proceedings of the Committee

Monday 8 December 2008

Members present:

Mr Michael Jack, in the Chair

Lynne Jones Paddy Tipping David Lepper Mr Roger Williams Dr Gavin Strang

1. Energy efficiency and fuel poverty

The Committee considered this matter.

Resolved, That the oral evidence for this inquiry be taken by the Sub-committee.

2. English pig industry


3. Securing global food supplies up to 2050: the challenges for the UK


Resolved, That the inquiry into Securing global food supplies up to 2050: the challenges for the UK shall have the following terms of reference:

The Committee will conduct its inquiry in two parts: the first will concentrate on establishing the challenges the UK faces in responding to the call to increase food production and the second on what actions should be taken by the Government, the Food industry, farmers, growers and fishermen, to meet those challenges.

The inquiry will address the following points:

• How robust is the current UK food system? What are its main strengths and weaknesses?

• How well placed is the UK to make the most of its opportunities in responding to the challenge of increasing global food production by 50% by 2030 and doubling it by 2050, while ensuring that such production is sustainable?

• In particular, what are the challenges the UK faces in relation to the following aspects of the supply side of the food system:

• soil quality

• water availability

• the marine environment

2 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee: Minutes of Proceedings 2008–09

• the science base

• the provision of training

• trade barriers

• the way in which land is farmed and managed

• What trends are likely to emerge on the demand side of the food system in the UK, in terms of consumer taste and habits, and what will be their main effect?

• What use could be made of local food networks?

• What role should Defra play both in ensuring that the strengths of the UK food system are maintained and in addressing the weaknesses that have been identified? What leadership and assistance should Defra provide to the food industry?

• How well does Defra engage with other relevant departments across Government, and with European and international bodies, on food policy and the regulatory framework for the food supply chain? Is there a coherent cross-Government food strategy?

• What criteria should Defra use to monitor how well the UK is doing in responding to the challenge of doubling global food production by 2050 while ensuring that such production is sustainable?

4. Future programme


5. Correspondence with Defra


[Adjourned to Tuesday 9 December at 11.00 a.m.

Tuesday 9 December 2008

Members present:


Mr David Drew Mr Roger Williams Paddy Tipping

1. English pig industry


[Adjourned to Wednesday 10 December at 2.30 p.m.


Wednesday 10 December 2008

Members present:


Lynne Jones Dr Gavin Strang David Lepper David Taylor Miss Anne McIntosh Mr Roger Williams



2. The work of the Committee in 2007–8


3. Future Programme


[Adjourned to Thursday 11 December at 9.00 a.m.

Thursday 11 December 2008

The Committee met at Borough Market Boardroom, Borough Market, London SE1

Members present:


Mr David Drew Lynne Jones Mr James Gray David Lepper

1. Securing food supplies up to 2050: the challenges for the UK


[Adjourned to Monday 15 December at 4.15 p.m.


Members present:


Mr David Drew Dr Gavin Strang Lynne Jones David Taylor


Miss Anne McIntosh Mr Roger Williams



Resolved, That the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change, give evidence to the Committee on Wednesday 14 January.

2. The English pig industry


Draft Report (The English pig industry) proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.

[The draft Report was agreed to; the formal minutes relating to the consideration of the Report are published in the First Report of the Committee, HC 96].

3. The work of the Committee in 2007–8


Draft Report (The work of the Committee in 2007–08) proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.

[The draft Report was agreed to; the formal minutes relating to the consideration of the Report are published in the Second Report of the Committee, HC 95].

[Adjourned to Wednesday 14 January at 3.45 p.m.

Wednesday 14 January 2009

Members present:


Mr Geoffrey Cox Dr Gavin Strang Mr David Drew Paddy Tipping Lynne Jones Mr Roger Williams Miss Anne McIntosh



2. Defra: Revised Ambit





4. Food


Ordered, That Dr Richard Charles Clutterbuck be appointed Specialist Adviser to assist the Committee in its inquiry into food.

5. The potential of England’s rural economy (Government response to the Committee’s Report)


Draft Special Report (The potential of England’s rural economy: Government response to the Eleventh Report from the Committee Session 2007–08), proposed by the Chairman, brought up, read the first and second time, and agreed to.

The Government’s response to the Eleventh Report from the Committee of Session 2007– 08 was appended to the Report.

Resolved, That the Report be the First Special Report of the Committee to the House.

Ordered, That the Chairman do make the report to the House.



[Adjourned to Monday 19 January at 4.15 p.m.

Monday 19 January 2009

Members present:


Mr David Drew Mr Dan Rogerson Lynne Jones David Taylor Mr James Gray Mr Roger Williams

1. Defra Winter Supplementary Estimates


2. Forward Programme



3. Securing Food Supplies


Resolved, That the Committee visit Brussels.



Members present:


Mr Geoffrey Cox Miss Anne McIntosh Mr James Gray Mr Dan Rogerson Lynne Jones David Taylor David Lepper Paddy Tipping

1. Waste Strategy for England 2007




Ordered, That the record of the Committee’s discussions at its meeting at Borough Market on 11 December be reported to the House for publication on the internet.



4. Draft Floods and Water Bill




Members present:


Mr David Drew Dan Rogerson Mr James Gray Dr Gavin Strang Lynne Jones David Taylor David Lepper Paddy Tipping Miss Anne McIntosh Mr Roger Williams




Ordered, That the following written evidence relating to Securing food supplies up to 2050: the challenges for the UK be reported to the House for publication on the internet: SFS 01– SFS57.

Resolved, That the oral evidence for this inquiry may be taken by the Sub-committee.

2. Ofwat pricing review 2009


Resolved, That the Committee inquire into the Ofwat pricing review 2009.


Ordered, That the Chairman write to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to request a paper on current funding of research into bees.

4. Securing food supplies up to 2050: the challenges for the UK: oral evidence

Professor Tim Lang, Professor of Food Policy, City University; and Professor John Beddington, Government Chief Scientific Adviser, gave oral evidence.

[Adjourned to Wednesday 4 February at 4.15 p.m.

Wednesday 4 February 2009

Members present:


Mr David Drew Dr Gavin Strang Mr James Gray David Taylor Lynne Jones Paddy Tipping David Lepper Mr Roger Williams Miss Anne McIntosh



2. Defra Autumn Performance Report 2008






The Committee further considered this matter.

Andrew Jarvis and Kate Bailey, Chatham House food supply project; Professor Ian Crute, Director, and Bill Clark, Rothamsted Research, and Professor Brian Thomas and Professor David Pink, Warwick HRI, gave oral evidence.

[Adjourned to Monday 9 February at 4.15 p.m.

Monday 9 February 2009

Members present:


Mr Geoffrey Cox David Taylor Mr David Drew Paddy Tipping Miss Anne McIntosh Mr Roger Williams





3. Government response to the Pitt Review


Sir Michael Pitt, Independent Reviewer, gave oral evidence.

[Adjourned to Wednesday 25 February at 2.30 p.m.

Wednesday 25 February 2009

Members present:


Mr James Gray Dan Rogerson Lynne Jones Dr Gavin Strang David Lepper Mr Roger Williams




Ordered, That the following written evidence relating to Securing food supplies up to 2050: the challenges for the UK be reported to the House for publication on the internet: SFS 58– SFS73.

Resolved, That Mr Roger Williams have leave to visit the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences, Aberystwyth University for the purpose of the Committee’s inquiry into Securing food supplies up to 2050: the challenges for the UK in a representative capacity.

2. Pirbright Laboratory


Ordered, That evidence submitted to the Committee in connection with Pirbright Laboratory and the outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease in 2007 be communicated to the Innovation, Universities and Skills Committee, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order No. 137A.

Resolved, That the Committee visit Pirbright Laboratory in Surrey in connection with the outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease in 2007.

3. Forward Programme


Resolved, That the Committee should not visit Brussels in connection with its inquiry into Securing food supplies up to 2050: the challenges for the UK, but that it would take oral evidence from EU officials instead.

Resolved, That the inquiry into the Ofwat pricing review 2009 include pre-legislative scrutiny of the Draft Floods and Water Bill.

4. Estimates Day Debates






Ordered, That the correspondence with Defra on Cattle TB statistics be reported to the House for publication on the internet.


Resolved, That the Chairman write to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to request further information on the work of the Bovine TB Eradication Group.

7. Uplands Entry Level Stewardship




Lucy Neville-Rolfe, Executive Director, Tesco; and Willem-Jan Laan, Director, Global External Affairs, Unilever and Melanie Leech, Director General, and Andrew Kuyk, Director of Sustainability and Competitiveness, The Food and Drink Federation, gave oral evidence.

[Adjourned to Wednesday 4 March at 3.30 p.m.

Wednesday 4 March 2009

Members present:


Mr James Gray Dr Gavin Strang Lynne Jones Paddy Tipping David Lepper Mr Roger Williams


Ordered, That David Lepper, James Gray and Committee staff have leave to visit the John Innes Centre and Institute of Food Research, Norwich, for the purposes of the Committee’s inquiry into Securing food supplies up to 2050: the challenges for the UK.

Ordered, That the Chairman, David Drew, Lynne Jones and Committee staff have leave to visit Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, for the purposes of the Committee’s inquiry into Securing food supplies up to 2050: the challenges for the UK.

Resolved, That the oral evidence be taken by the Sub-committee.






[Adjourned to Wednesday 18 March at 2.30 p.m.


David Lepper visited the John Innes Centre and Institute of Food Research, Norwich, in connection with the Committee’s inquiry into Securing food supplies up to 2050: the challenges faced by the UK, in accordance with the Committee’s decision of 4 March 2009.


Mr Michael Jack, Mr David Drew and Lynne Jones visited Rothamsted Reseach, Harpenden, in connection with the Committee’s inquiry into Securing food supplies up to 2050: the challenges faced by the UK, in accordance with the Committee’s decision of 4 March 2009.


Members present:


Mr David Drew Dan Rogerson Lynne Jones Dr Gavin Strang David Lepper David Taylor Miss Anne McIntosh Paddy Tipping



Resolved, That the Chairman, Mr David Drew, Mr James Gray, David Lepper and Dr Gavin Strang have leave to visit Syngenta, Bracknell, for the purposes of the Committee’s inquiry into Securing food supplies up to 2050: the challenges for the UK in a representative capacity.

Ordered, That the following written evidence relating to Securing food supplies up to 2050: the challenges for the UK be reported to the House for publication on the internet: SFS 29a, SFS 31a, SFS 66a, SFS 74 and SFS 75.






Ordered, That the Chairman write to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to request further information on the deployment of a badger TB vaccine.



Andrew Wood, Executive Director, Evidence and Policy, Natural England, gave oral evidence.


[Adjourned to Monday 30 March at 4.00 p.m.


Mr Michael Jack, Mr David Drew, David Lepper and Dr Gavin Strang visited Syngenta, Bracknell , in connection with the Committee’s inquiry into Securing food supplies up to 2050: the challenges faced by the UK, in accordance with the Committee’s decision of 18 March 2009.

Monday 30 March 2009

Members present:


Mr James Gray David Taylor Lynne Jones Paddy Tipping David Lepper

1. The English Pig Industry


Draft Special Report (The English Pig Industry: Government response to the First Report from the Committee Session 2008–09), proposed by the Chairman, brought up, read the first and second time, and agreed to.

The Government’s response to the First Report from the Committee of Session 2008–09 was appended to the Report.


Resolved, That the Report be the Second Special Report of the Committee to the House.




3. Badgers and Cattle TB


Ordered, That the revised written evidence from Defra in connection with Badgers and Cattle TB be reported to the House for publication on the internet.

4. Flooding and the implementation of the Pitt Review


Ordered, That the written evidence from the Environment Agency, Ofwat and Ofgem in connection with the Pitt Review be reported to the House for publication on the internet.

5. Institute of Animal Health


Resolved, That the Chairman, Mr David Drew, Lynne Jones and Mr Roger Williams have leave to visit the Institute of Animal Health, Pirbright for the purposes of the Committee’s inquiry into the Institute of Animal Health in a representative capacity.

6. Declaration of interests

The Chairman declared a non-pecuniary interest in relation to the Committee’s inquiry into Securing food supplies up to 2050: the challenges for the UK as the President of the Marden Fruit Show Society.



Monty Don, President, Robin Maynard, Campaigns Director and Peter Melchett, Policy Director, gave oral evidence.


[Adjourned to Wednesday 1 April at 2.30 p.m.

Wednesday 1 April 2009

Members present:


David Drew Dr Gavin Strang Lynne Jones David Taylor David Lepper Paddy Tipping Miss Anne McIntosh Mr Roger Williams



2. Draft Floods and Water Bill – pre-legislative scrutiny


Resolved, That the Committee conduct pre-legislative scrutiny of the draft Floods and Water Bill.

3. Potential of England’s rural economy


Ordered, That the written evidence from Councillor Jane Carson, South Lakeland District Council, Lancashire Rural Delivery Pathfinder, Peel Holroyd, and Regional Rural Affairs For in connection with The potential of England's rural economy: Government Response to the Committee's Eleventh Report of Session 2007-08 be reported to the House for publication on the internet.



Mr Anastassios Haniotis, Head of Unit, Agricultural Policy Analysis and Perspectives, Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development, European Commission, gave oral evidence.

[Adjourned to Wednesday 6 May at 2.30 p.m.


Thursday 23 April 2009

Mr Michael Jack, Mr David Drew, Lynne Jones and Mr Roger Williams visited the Institute for Animal Health and Merial Labortories, Pirbright , in connection with the Committee’s continuing scrutiny of animal health, in accordance with the Committee’s decision of 30 March 2009.

Saturday 25 April to Friday 1 May 2009

Mr Michael Jack, Mr James Gray, Lynne Jones, Dr Gavin Strang and Mr Roger Williams visited Brazil, in connection with the Committee’s inquiry into Securing food supplies up to 2050: the challenges faced by the UK, in accordance with the Committee’s decision of 11 June 2008.

Wednesday 6 May 2009

Members present:


Mr Geoffrey Cox Miss Anne McIntosh David Drew Dan Rogerson Mr James Grey Dr Gavin Strang David Lepper Paddy Tipping

1. Draft Flood and Water Management Bill


Resolved, That this inquiry be remitted to the General Purposes Sub-Committee.



3. Other potential inquiries




Mr Martin Hurst, Director Water Floods Environmental Risk and Regulation, Mr Simon Hewitt, Deputy Director Flood and Water Management Bill, Mr Chris de Grouchy, Deputy Director Flood Management and Mr Daniel Johns, Head of Outcomes and


Performance Flood Management Division, Defra, provided an informal briefing on the draft Flood and Water Management Bill.

5. Energy efficiency and fuel poverty: consideration of Chairman’s draft report


[Adjourned to Thursday 7 May at 2.00 p.m.

Thursday 7 May 2009

Members present:


David Drew Dr Gavin Strang Mr James Grey David Taylor Miss Anne McIntosh Mr Roger Williams



Resolved, That the oral evidence be taken by the General Purpose Sub-committee.

2. Future work programme




Members present:


Mr David Drew David Lepper Mr James Grey Dan Rogerson Patrick Hall David Taylor Lynne Jones Paddy Tipping






[Adjourned to Monday 18 May at 4.15 p.m.

Monday 18 May 2009

Members present:


Mr David Drew David Taylor Sir Peter Soulsby



Draft Report (Energy efficiency and fuel poverty), proposed by the Chairman, brought up, read the first and second time, and agreed to.

Resolved, That the Report be the Third Report of the Committee to the House.




Members present:


Mr Geoffrey Cox Miss Anne McIntosh Patrick Hall Dr Gavin Strang Lynne Jones Paddy Tipping David Lepper Mr Roger Williams


1. Ofwat Price Review 2009






[Adjourned to Monday 1 June at 4.15 p.m.

Monday 1 June 2009

Members present:


Mr James Gray Mr Roger Williams David Taylor





[Adjourned to Wednesday 3 June at 2.30 p.m.

Wednesday 3 June 2009

Members present:



Miss Anne McIntosh Mr Roger Williams Paddy Tipping








Monday 8 June 2009

Members present:


Mr David Drew Paddy Tipping Mr Dan Rogerson







Members present:



Mr David Drew Dr Gavin Strang Mr James Gray David Taylor Lynne Jones Paddy Tipping David Lepper Mr Roger Williams







4. Invitation to visit the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew


Resolved, That the Committee visit the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew.

5. Change of Minister


Resolved, That the Committee write to Jane Kennedy MP.



Members present:


Mr David Drew David Lepper Mr James Gray David Taylor Lynne Jones Paddy Tipping






3. Invitation to visit the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew








Members present:


Mr James Gray Mr Dan Rogerson David Lepper David Taylor Miss Anne McIntosh Mr Roger Williams







Resolved, That the Committee would undertake inquiries on applicable National Policy Statements, Defra’s 2008-09 Annual Report and the appointment of the new Chair of Natural England.

[Adjourned to Wednesday 1 July at 2.30 p.m.


Wednesday 1 July 2009

Members present:


David Drew Miss Anne McIntosh Mr James Gray Dr Gavin Strang Lynne Jones David Taylor David Lepper Mr Roger Williams







4. Visit to Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew


5. Ofwat Price review 2009


[Adjourned to Monday 13 July at 4.15 p.m.

Monday 13 July 2009

Members present:


Mr James Gray Mr Dan Rogerson David Lepper David Taylor




Draft Report (Securing food supplies up to 2050: the challenges for the UK) proposed by the Chairman, was brought up and read the first and second time, and agreed to.

Resolved, That the Report be the Fourth Report of the Committee to the House.


2. Future programme


[Adjourned to Wednesday 15 July at 2.30 p.m.

Wednesday 15 July 2009

Members present:


Mr Geoffrey Cox David Lepper Mr David Drew Miss Anne McIntosh Lynne Jones Dr Gavin Strang

1. Ofwat price review 2009


Draft Report (Ofwat price review 2009) proposed by the Chairman, was brought up and read the first and second time, and agreed to.

Resolved, That the Report be the Fifth Report of the Committee to the House.


2. Future programme


Resolved, That the Committee would undertake an inquiry on Dairy Farmers of Britain. Resolved, further, That the oral evidence for this inquiry may be taken by the Subcommittee.

Resolved, That the Committee would also examine the Rural Payments Agency when it undertook its inquiry on Defra’s Annual Report.


[Adjourned to Tuesday 21 July at 11.30 a.m.

Tuesday 21 July 2009

Members present:


Mr Geoffrey Cox David Lepper Mr David Drew Miss Anne McIntosh Mr James Gray David Taylor Lynne Jones



Resolved, That the Chairman write to the Secretary of State saying that the Committee would expect to agree a report in September.

2. Waste strategy for England 2007


Resolved, That the Committee reopen this inquiry.

3. Defra Annual Report


Resolved, That particular Members would examine specific aspects of the Defra Annual report and produce questions for inclusion in the evidence session brief.

4. Dairy Farmers of Britain


Resolved, That the terms of reference for the inquiry would be: • the impact of the collapse of DFB on dairy farmers and the industry; • the governance and accountability structures of DFB; • Defra’s response to the collapse of DFB; and • the causes and lessons to be learned from the collapse of DFB.


[Adjourned to Wednesday 16 September at 11.30 a.m.

Wednesday 16 September 2009

Members present:


Mr Geoffrey Cox Miss Anne McIntosh Mr David Drew Dr Gavin Strang Lynne Jones David Taylor


Draft Report (Draft Flood and Water Management Bill) proposed by the Chairman, was brought up and read the first and second time, and agreed to.

Resolved, That the Report be the Sixth Report of the Committee to the House.


Ordered, That embargoed copies of the Report be made available, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order 134.



3. Waste strategy for England 2007


4. Future programme


[Adjourned till this day at 2.00 p.m.

Wednesday 16 September 2009 at 2.00pm

Members present:



Mr Geoffrey Cox Dr Gavin Strang Mr David Drew David Taylor Lynne Jones Mr Roger Williams Miss Anne McIntosh



Mr Stephen Oldfield, Joint Receiver and Manager for DFB, and Mr Kevin Ellis, Business Recovery Services UK Practice Leader, PricewaterhouseCoopers, gave oral evidence.

[Adjourned to Wednesday 14 October at 2.30 p.m.

Wednesday 14 October 2009 at 2.30pm

Members present:


Mr Geoffrey Cox Miss Anne McIntosh Mr David Drew Paddy Tipping James Gray David Taylor Lynne Jones Mr Roger Williams

1. Future Programme


2. Securing food supplies up to 2050: the challenges faced by the UK

Draft Special Report (Securing food supplies up to 2050: Government Response to the Committee’s Fourth Report of Session 2008-09), proposed by the Chairman, brought up, read the first and second time, and agreed to.

The Government’s response to the Fourth Report from the Committee was appended to the Report.

Resolved, That the Report be the Third Special Report of the Committee to the House.

Ordered, That the Chairman make the Report to the House.



Draft Special Report (Ofwat Price Review 2009: Government Response to the Committee’s Fifth Report of Session 2008-09), proposed by the Chairman, brought up, read the first and second time, and agreed to.

The Government’s response to the Fifth Report from the Committee was appended to the Report.

Resolved, That the Report be the Fourth Special Report of the Committee to the House.

Ordered, That the Chairman make the Report to the House.





Hayley Campbell-Gibbons, NFU Chief Dairy Adviser, and Gwyn Jones, NFU National Dairy Board Chairman; and Gordon Brown, former DFB member, Peter Pearson, former DFB member, and John Gregory, Director of Rock Farm Dairy, gave oral evidence.



Members present:


Mr Geoffrey Cox Miss Anne McIntosh Mr David Drew David Taylor James Gray Mr Roger Williams Patrick Hall

In the temporary absence of the Chairman, Mr David Drew was called to the Chair for part of the meeting.




David Messom, Director of Food Retail at The Co-operative Group, and Philip Hardman, Group Counsel at the Co-operative Group; and Lord Grantchester, Chairman of the Board of DFB, and Gerry Smith, member of the Executive Team at DFB, gave oral evidence.



Members present:


James Gray Mr Dan Rogerson Patrick Hall David Taylor Lynne Jones Paddy Tipping Miss Anne McIntosh Mr Roger Williams



2. Future Programme


3. Dairy Farmers of Britain: written evidence


Ordered, That the following written evidence relating to Dairy Farmers of Britain be reported to the House for publication on the internet:

DFOB 01 Milk Pension Fund Trustees

DFOB 02 David Lloyd Davies

DFOB 03 Scottish Agricultural Organisation Society

DFOB 04 Co-operatives UK

DFOB 05 Jill Cawood

DFOB 06 Philip Dunn

DFOB 07 Farmers Union of Wales


DFOB 08 Financial Services Authority

DFOB 09 Dairy UK

DFOB 10 Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

DFOB 10a Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

DFOB 11 Ernst and Young

DFOB 12 Regional Development Agencies

DFOB 13 National Farmers Union

DFOB 14 J D Kinsey

DFOB 15 W Geoffrey Chapman

DFOB 16 Michael T Davies

DFOB 17 R C Mitchell and Sons

DFOB 18 G R Smyth/Nicholson and Sons

DFOB 19 Edward Howells

DFOB 20 A S E Crisp and Sons

DFOB 21 W Paul L Peters

DFOB 22 Simon Constable

DFOB 23 Gordon Brown

DFOB 24 Rodney Smith

DFOB 26 The Co-operative Group

DFOB 29 PricewaterhouseCoopers

DFOB 30 Group from the DFB Members Council

DFOB 31 New Zealand High Commission



4. Any other business

The Chairman declared a non-pecuniary interest: he sits on a panel advising Ofwat on the regulatory approach that should apply for the next quinquennial price review.

5. Dairy Farmers of Britain: oral evidence


Emma Reynolds, Government Affairs Manager at Tesco; Michael Oakes, former Director of DFB; and Jim Fitzpatrick, Minister for Food, Farming and the Environment, and John Bourne, Deputy Director for Livestock and Livestock Products at Defra, gave oral evidence.

[Adjourned to Wednesday 4 November at 2.30 p.m.

Wednesday 4 November 2009 at 2.30pm

Members present:


James Gray David Taylor Lynne Jones Paddy Tipping David Lepper Mr Roger Williams Miss Anne McIntosh



2. Future programme


3. Defra Science




4. Waste Strategy for England: oral evidence

Dr Paul Leinster, Chief Executive, Liz Parkes, Head of Waste, and David Jordan, Director of Operations, at the Environment Agency; and the Rt Hon. Hilary Benn MP, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Roy Hathaway, Head of Waste Regulation and Business Waste, and Andy Howarth, Head of the Hazardous and International Waste Team, at Defra, gave oral evidence.

[Adjourned to Monday 9 November at 4 p.m.


Wednesday 11 November 2009 at 4 pm

Members present:


Mr Geoffrey Cox Miss Anne McIntosh Mr David Drew David Taylor Patrick Hall Paddy Tipping Lynne Jones Mr Roger Williams David Lepper

1. Departmental Annual Report 2009




3. Any other business

Resolved, That Mr David Drew have leave to make a visit in connection with the Bovine TB vaccination trials in a representative capacity.

4. Departmental Annual Report: oral evidence

Dame Helen Ghosh, Defra Permanent Secretary, Mike Anderson, Defra Director-General, Strategy and Evidence Group, and Anne Marie Millar, Defra Director of Finance, gave oral evidence.

[Adjourned to Wednesday 25 November at 2.30 p.m.


Proceedings of the Sub-committee


Members present:


Mr David Drew David Taylor Lynne Jones Paddy Tipping David Lepper Mr Roger Williams Dr Gavin Strang

1. Energy efficiency and fuel poverty: oral evidence

The Sub-committee considered this matter.

Derek Lickorish, Chairman, Fuel Poverty Advisory Group and Dr Brenda Boardman, Environmental Change Institute, University of Oxford; Ron Campbell, Head of Policy and Information, National Energy Action and Martin Chadwick, Chief Officer, Beat the Cold, Stoke on Trent, National Right to Fuel Campaign, gave oral evidence.

[Adjourned to a day and time to be fixed by the Chairman.

Wednesday 10 December 2008

Members present:


Mr David Drew Dr Gavin Strang Lynne Jones David Taylor David Lepper Mr Roger Williams Miss Anne McIntosh




Jim McDonald, Commercial Director, Retail, E.ON UK, Alan Smith, Head of Government and Regulatory Relations, RWE npower and Gearoid Lane, Managing Director, British Gas New Energy, Centrica; and Sarah Harrison, Managing Director of Corporate Affairs and Charles Hargreaves, Head of Environmental Programmes, Ofgem, gave oral evidence.



Members present:


Mr David Drew Dr Gavin Strang Lynne Jones David Taylor Miss Anne McIntosh Mr Roger Williams



Ed Mayo, Chief Executive and Jonathan Stearn, Head of Disadvantage Programme Team, Consumer Focus, gave oral evidence.



Members present:


Mr Geoffrey Cox Dr Gavin Strang Mr David Drew Paddy Tipping Lynne Jones Mr Roger Williams Miss Anne McIntosh




Joan Ruddock MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State and Chris Leigh, Deputy Director, Climate and Energy, Department of Energy and Climate Change, gave oral evidence.



Members present:


Mr James Gray Dr Gavin Strang Lynne Jones Paddy Tipping David Lepper Mr Roger Williams



Barrie Deas, Chief Executive, National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations; Henry Aubrey-Fletcher, President and Professor Allan Buckwell, Policy Director, Country Land and Business Association, Peter Kendall, President and Tom Hind, Head of Economics and International Affairs, National Farmers’ Union, gave oral evidence.


Thursday 7 May 2009

Members present:


David Drew Dr Gavin Strang Mr James Grey David Taylor Miss Anne McIntosh Mr Roger Williams



Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, gave oral evidence.



Members present:


Mr Geoffrey Cox Miss Anne McIntosh Mr David Drew Dr Gavin Strang Patrick Hall Paddy Tipping Lynne Jones Mr Roger Williams David Lepper


Anna Walker and Sue Ellis, Independent Review of Household Charging and Metering for Water and Sewerage Services, gave oral evidence.


Anna Walker and Sue Ellis, Independent Review of Household Charging and Metering for Water and Sewerage Services, gave oral evidence.


Monday 1 June 2009

Members present:



Mr David Drew David Taylor Mr James Gray Mr Roger Williams Lynne Jones


Dame Yve Buckland, chair, and Tony Smith, chief executive, Consumer Council for Water, gave oral evidence.


Dame Yve Buckland, chair, and Tony Smith, chief executive, Consumer Council for Water, gave oral evidence.

Mary Dhonau, chief executive, and Laurence Waterhouse, chairman, National Flood Forum, gave oral evidence.



Members present:


Mr David Drew Paddy Tipping Miss Anne McIntosh Mr Roger Williams


Rt Hon Lord Smith of Finsbury, chairman, Dr Paul Leinster, chief executive, Robert Runcie, director of flood and coastal risk management, and Ian Baker, head of water, Environment Agency, gave oral evidence.



Rt Hon Lord Smith of Finsbury, chairman, Dr Paul Leinster, chief executive, Robert Runcie, director of flood and coastal risk management, and Ian Baker, head of water, Environment Agency, gave oral evidence.

Professor Martin Cave and Alex Skinner, head of secretariat, Independent Review of Competition and Innovation in Water Markets, gave oral evidence.


Monday 8 June 2009

Members present:


Mr David Drew Paddy Tipping Mr Dan Rogerson


Jonathan Hodgkin, director of regulation and investment, Yorkshire Water, Dr Tony Ballance, director of regulatory finance, Severn Trent Water, Peter Antolik, director strategy and regulation, Thames Water, Richard Aylard, director, Thames Water, gave oral evidence.


Jonathan Hodgkin, director of regulation and investment, Yorkshire Water, Dr Tony Ballance, director of regulatory finance, Severn Trent Water, Peter Antolik, director strategy and regulation, Thames Water, Richard Aylard, director, Thames Water, gave oral evidence.



Members present:



Mr David Drew Dr Gavin Strang Mr James Gray David Taylor Lynne Jones Paddy Tipping David Lepper Mr Roger Williams Miss Anne McIntosh


Regina Finn, chief executive, and Keith Mason, director of regulatory finance, Ofwat, gave oral evidence.


Regina Finn, chief executive, and Keith Mason, director of regulatory finance, Ofwat, gave oral evidence.


Monday 15 June 2009

Members present:


Mr Geoffrey Cox Paddy Tipping David Taylor


Peter Jones, deputy chief executive, Gloucestershire County Council, Mark Parker, head of flood risk, Gloucestershire County Council, Professor Carolyn Roberts, Professor of Environmental Sciences, University of Gloucestershire, David Gibson, assistant chief executive, Hull City Council, Councillor Andy Smith, Suffolk Coastal District Council, and Jeremy Schofield, strategic director, Suffolk Coastal District Council, gave oral evidence. (In Sub-committee.)



Members present:



Mr David Drew Miss Anne McIntosh Mr James Gray David Taylor Lynne Jones Paddy Tipping David Lepper Mr Roger Williams


Huw Irranca-Davies MP, Minister for the Natural and Marine Environment, Wildlife and Rural Affairs, and Martin Hurst, director of water, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, gave oral evidence.


Huw Irranca-Davies MP, Minister for the Natural and Marine Environment, Wildlife and Rural Affairs, Martin Hurst, director of water, and Simon Hewitt, divisional manager, flood management division, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, gave oral evidence.


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