Written questions

Thatched Roofing

Commons · Question 111939 · Tabled 9 Feb 2026 · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs · Official record

Answered 12 Feb 2026

Question

Asked by Ben Obese-Jecty

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of growing water reed for the purposes of thatching materials within the Great Fen project.

Answer

Answered by Mary Creagh, 12 Feb 2026

Defra, Natural England, and Environment Agency are working closely with our Great Fen partners to look at the benefits of paludiculture (wetter farming) and trialling a range of diversification options. This is vital to enable thriving and sustainable rur...

Thatched Roofing | Written question | Institrace