Science and the environment by topic
Science and the environment includes the following topic areas. Please click the links to access all of our briefings by topic:
Agriculture and farming
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Queen’s Speech 2022: Agriculture, the natural environment and animal welfare
The 2019 Conservative Party manifesto included commitments to protect the natural environment and improve animal welfare. However, the Government has yet to fulfil its manifesto commitment to introduce legislation banning imports of hunting trophies. The Government has proposed changes to the ways in which natural landscapes are managed following the 2019 landscapes review. It has also said it is considering measures to permit greater use of some gene-edited organisms in agriculture.
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Game Birds (Cage Breeding) Bill [HL]
The Game Birds (Cage Breeding) Bill [HL] would make it an offence to keep pheasants or partridges in raised laying cages or battery cages for the purpose of producing eggs. Currently, the statutory Code of Practice for the Welfare of Gamebirds Reared for Sporting Purposes recommends that barren raised cages for breeding pheasants and small barren cages for breeding partridges should not be used, and any system should be appropriately enriched.
![Game Birds (Cage Breeding) Bill [HL]](https://lordslibrary.parliament.uk/content/uploads/sites/2/2022/03/Pheasant-image-by-jack-seeds-1232x693.jpg)
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Changing the regulation of certain genetically modified plants: motion not to approve new laws
New regulations would ease the regulatory process for the environmental release of certain genetically modified plants, for the purposes of their research and development. The Government believes the changes would make it easier for scientists to research possible innovations to improve agricultural crops. However, the regulations have attracted a lot of criticism and concerns. This article sets out some of the issues that have been raised ahead of a Lords debate on 14 March 2022 about whether the regulations should become law.
Energy
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UK Infrastructure Bank Bill [HL]
This proposed law seeks to place the UK Infrastructure Bank on a statutory footing, giving it a specific set of powers. The bank is currently operating on an interim basis. Its purpose is to invest in infrastructure projects on behalf of the government and attract private sector funds for the same purpose.
![UK Infrastructure Bank Bill [HL]](https://lordslibrary.parliament.uk/content/uploads/sites/2/2020/09/Economy-1232x922.png)
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Queen’s Speech 2022: Energy and climate change
The Government has committed to reduce UK carbon emissions to net zero by 2050 and improve the security of the UK’s energy supply. It has said it intends to improve strategic planning in the UK’s electricity and gas infrastructure through the establishment of an independent future system operator. It has also said it will introduce measures intended to increase the use of hydrogen gas and carbon capture technology in the UK energy sector.
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Ukraine sanctions and the Swift system
There has been extended debate on whether Russia should be banned from the international Swift system as part of the package of economic sanctions following its invasion of Ukraine. On 26 February 2022, the international community announced that selected Russian banks would be barred. This article looks at what Swift is, why it is significant and whether a ban would be likely to achieve its intended effect of restricting the Russian economy.
Environment
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Queen’s Speech 2022: Energy and climate change
The Government has committed to reduce UK carbon emissions to net zero by 2050 and improve the security of the UK’s energy supply. It has said it intends to improve strategic planning in the UK’s electricity and gas infrastructure through the establishment of an independent future system operator. It has also said it will introduce measures intended to increase the use of hydrogen gas and carbon capture technology in the UK energy sector.
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Queen’s Speech 2022: Agriculture, the natural environment and animal welfare
The 2019 Conservative Party manifesto included commitments to protect the natural environment and improve animal welfare. However, the Government has yet to fulfil its manifesto commitment to introduce legislation banning imports of hunting trophies. The Government has proposed changes to the ways in which natural landscapes are managed following the 2019 landscapes review. It has also said it is considering measures to permit greater use of some gene-edited organisms in agriculture.
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The UK’s horticultural sector
In recent years, concerns have been raised about the horticultural sector’s workforce, including its dependence on foreign seasonal workers and the existence of a skills gap. The sector’s role in protecting the environment has also been discussed. This article considers both these issues and the Government’s response.
Science and technology
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Health care services for neurological conditions
Neurology organisations have reported a “neurology workforce crisis” in recent years. The UK has fewer neurology consultants when compared to other high-income countries, recent data has shown. This has led to concerns about the impact on people with neurological conditions receiving timely access to health and care services. This briefing considers the latest neurology workforce and waiting times data, in addition to recent action taken to improve neurological care.
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UK Infrastructure Bank Bill [HL]
This proposed law seeks to place the UK Infrastructure Bank on a statutory footing, giving it a specific set of powers. The bank is currently operating on an interim basis. Its purpose is to invest in infrastructure projects on behalf of the government and attract private sector funds for the same purpose.
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Artificial intelligence policy in the UK: Liaison Committee report
The government states artificial intelligence (AI) has “huge potential to rewrite the rules of entire industries, drive substantial economic growth and transform all areas of life”. Its ambition is to be a “AI superpower” that leads the world in innovation and development. On 25 May 2022, the House of Lords will debate a Liaison Committee report which examined the government’s implementation of AI policy.
