Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministerial Statement

Agricultural Transition Plan

26 January 2023 · 15 other contributors

Opened by Mark Spencer Con Selby and Ainsty

ClimateAgriculture & Rural Affairs

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Mark Spencer raised concerns about agricultural transition plan in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.

Key points

  • Minister updated the House on steps to move away from the EU common agricultural policy legacy
  • Aim to help farmers build resilient businesses by spending public money on public good
  • Published detailed information on environmental land management schemes focusing on soil health

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Government Statement

Mark Spencer

With permission, Mr Deputy Speaker, I made a statement updating the House on the next steps to shake off the damaging legacy of the EU common agricultural policy. We aim to help farmers build resilient businesses by spending public money wisely to secure public good while developing markets for finance from all sources. Today we published detailed information about environmental land management schemes and how farmers can get involved, starting with soil health in our sustainable farming incentive (SFI) since last summer, adding six more ways that farmers can be paid to take action in 2023 by protecting hedgerows and tackling pests, among others. Each year we will add offers to the SFI, completing the set by 2025 so farmers have a range of options for their businesses. We are making it straightforward for farmers to plan ahead with information on work rewarded by 2025 through SFI and countryside stewardship, alongside the next round of landscape recovery projects. Our ambition is guided by commitments to reach net zero by 2050 and halt species loss by 2030.

Other contributors (15)
  • Daniel Zeichner Lab Cambridge

    Question

    The hon. Member thanked the Minister for advance sight of the statement but expressed concerns over insufficient support and high take-up risk due to complexity, especially regarding upland farmers. He asked how much of the £1 billion cut from farmers will be returned through environmental land management schemes this year and about expected SFI uptake in 2023. Also questioned were guarantees for tenant farmer access and environmental improvement measures.

    Minister reply

    The Minister responded by noting positive reception outside government, emphasising support for upland farmers through low-input grassland and improved grassland schemes, as well as stone wall maintenance via countryside stewardship. He assured the ability to both feed the nation and improve the environment with data showing annual 1% efficiency gains leading to a 10% reduction in land usage over ten years. Practical examples included delaying hedgerow cutting for winter bird survival and encouraging wildflower strips for pest control, illustrating how working with nature can benefit food security, environmental benefits, and biodiversity.

  • George Eustice Con Camborne and Redruth

    Question

    Welcomes the inclusion of a new hedgerow standard under the sustainable farming incentive, recognises hedges as important ecological building blocks. Asks if payment rates will increase further to meet 2030 species abundance target.

    Minister reply

    Acknowledges George Eustice's work on these schemes, emphasises importance of hedgerows for biodiversity and wildlife corridors. States all schemes remain under review, open to dialogue with NGOs and farmers.

  • Helen Morgan Lib Dem North Shropshire

    Question

    Welcomes aims but highlights challenges for farmers with cuts to basic payment scheme, increased costs of doing business. Suggests schemes are complex and costly up front.

    Minister reply

    Explains plan to reduce basic payments over seven years while increasing environmental payments. Acknowledges complexity issues and states new schemes are simpler and more flexible.

  • Robert Goodwill Con Scarborough and Whitby

    Question

    Thanks Minister for further clarification on agricultural transition, highlights diversity of English agriculture and importance of upland farmers delivering public good.

    Minister reply

    Pays tribute to Robert Goodwill's work, states schemes are tailored to all types of farms. Emphasises support for upland farmers and sheep farming.

  • Kevan Jones Lab Durham

    Question

    Thanks Minister for statement, highlights challenges for smaller tenanted farms in County Durham, asks about incentives or help for investment.

    Minister reply

    Introduces management payment of £20 per hectare on first 50 hectares to support smaller farmers. Highlights flexibility for tenant farmers entering and leaving schemes.

  • Bernard Jenkin Con Harwich and North Essex

    Question

    Thanks Minister for emphasis on food security, highlights innovative co-operative scheme in Cumbria and potential of landscape recovery schemes.

    Minister reply

    Agrees to visit mentioned locations, emphasises importance of cooperation between farmers in landscape recovery schemes.

  • Barry Sheerman Lab Huddersfield

    Question

    Highlights involvement with nature recovery network and questions about serious commitment to resources for public good.

    Minister reply

    Announces money and schemes that reward farmers for delivering public good, emphasises benefits for both environment and farming businesses.

  • Selaine Saxby Con North Devon

    Question

    Welcomes clarity of announcement but reports farmers unable to apply for slurry infrastructure grant. Asks about accessibility.

    Minister reply

    Acknowledges issue, states importance of new slurry systems and other infrastructure grants. Announces several rounds so farmers can apply multiple times.

  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    Question

    Welcomes the Minister’s statement and expresses the importance of farming in his constituency, highlighting that agriculture is devolved. Asks for assurance that Northern Ireland will not be left behind when it comes to farming incentives.

    Minister reply

    Acknowledges that these are devolved matters but assures ongoing dialogue with the devolved Administrations to support them and their constituents.

  • Robbie Moore Con Keighley and Ilkley

    Question

    Welcomes the statement and highlights Janet Hughes’ work. Asks for more information on the landscape recovery schemes, which will enable farmers to work together as bigger units.

    Minister reply

    Expands on the landscape recovery scheme, explaining that it is a competitive process with 25 schemes available and enabling landowners, farmers, and NGOs to deliver public good by building networks of improvement.

  • Chi Onwurah Lab Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West

    Question

    Questions whether small-scale farmers in the north-east will benefit from the changes and if their landscape will be more biodiverse.

    Minister reply

    Responds that it depends on how 'better off' is defined, noting that under the scheme, attracting more Government subsidy is possible if farmers bid for and deliver environmental outcomes.

  • Dan Jarvis Lab Barnsley North

    Question

    Welcomes the statement’s intention but asks to ensure small tenant farmers are not unduly disadvantaged by these proposals.

    Minister reply

    States that it is the Government's intention to help and support all types of farmers, with the Kate Rock review specifically looking at the plight of those farmers.

  • Margaret Ferrier

    Question

    Asks how updates to the plan will increase the use of peatland for carbon capture and storage.

    Minister reply

    Acknowledges the importance of the issue, stating that sequestering carbon in peatlands is a huge priority. The Government will continue to monitor and support this.

  • Kerry McCarthy Lab Bristol East

    Question

    Highlights the need for private sector finance to reach net zero and halt biodiversity loss, asking about conversations with colleagues on nature-based carbon credits.

    Minister reply

    Responds that the Government is putting a lot of work into measuring these things fairly and engaging with the private sector to support farmers and landowners.

Shadow Comment

Daniel Zeichner

The shadow response expressed doubts about the sufficiency of the new schemes announced, highlighting concerns over cost pressures on farmers from fertiliser, fuel, and labour supply. The reduction in basic payments moves inexorably onwards with half gone next year, leaving uplands particularly vulnerable. Despite multiple worthy schemes detailed, there is a risk that take-up will be very low due to insufficient attractiveness compared to the previous system, as evidenced by just 224 paid out last year versus over 80,000 receiving basic payments. Questions remain about environmental benefits and food security impact.

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