John Whitby MP: written questions

Written questions

• Bluetongue Virus: ScreeningDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 8 Sept 2026AnsweredUIN 28238More

  Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the capacity of laboratories in processing bluetongue tests in a timely manner during periods of increased transmission; what

  Answer: Defra is working with APHA and The Pirbright Institute to reduce delays in testing and reporting. Testing is being undertaken by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) at Weybridge alongside the National Reference Laboratory at The Pirbright Institute....

  Answered 18 Sept 2026

  Original Parliament record
• Bluetongue Virus: VaccinationDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 8 Sept 2026AnsweredUIN 28237More

  Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to ensure that sufficient supplies of vaccines against bluetongue virus are available to livestock keepers; and what steps she is taking to improve the availab

  Answer: Defra and the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) are working closely with manufacturers, wholesalers and veterinary bodies to monitor availability and support continuity of supply. Defra and VMD have taken proactive regulatory action to expedite the i...

  Answered 18 Sept 2026

  Original Parliament record
• Agriculture: Water SupplyDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 8 Sept 2026AnsweredUIN 28236More

  Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department will include measures to improve farm water security when determining which items currently supported through the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund will be i

  Answer: No decisions have been made on the scope of FETF inclusion in Capital Grants from 2027, we are still considering future support arrangements and will set out further details in due course.

  Answered 18 Sept 2026

  Original Parliament record
• Agriculture: Water SupplyDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 8 Sept 2026AnsweredUIN 28235More

  Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she plans to include capital grant options for improving on-farm water supply and storage infrastructure in the grant scheme that will incorporate elements of the Farming Equip

  Answer: The Government recognises the significant challenges that drought conditions can pose for farmers and growers. As part of the drought support package announced on 14 August 2026, up to £15 million has been made available to support on-farm reservoir const...

  Answered 18 Sept 2026

  Original Parliament record
• Planning: AdvertisingMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 8 Sept 2026Awaiting answerUIN 28233More

  Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she has made an assessment of the adequacy of the current planning and regulatory framework governing advertising for potential impact on the character and visual amenity

  Answer: No published answer in this record yet.

  Original Parliament record