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Agriculture
02 December 2020
Lead MP
Victoria Prentis
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Other Contributors: 8
At a Glance
Victoria Prentis raised concerns about agriculture in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
Moves the draft Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (Amendment) Order 2020 for approval.
Rosie Winterton
Lab
Stocksbridge Penistone
Motions to approve the Direct Payments to Farmers (England) (Amendment) Regulations and the World Trade Organisation Agreement on Agriculture (Domestic Support) Regulations 2020 for approval. Raises concerns about Welsh farmers' ability to sell their product in the EU post-Brexit.
Chris Bryant
Lab
Rhondda and Ogmore
Raises specific concern regarding Welsh lamb exports and seeks clarity on government plans to address potential issues faced by Welsh farmers if 50% of their products cannot be sold in the European Union after Brexit.
Daniel Zeichner
Lab
Cambridge
The speaker supports the statutory instruments but raises concerns about livestock movement traceability, direct payments for farmers, and WTO compliance. He emphasises the need for a smooth transition to new agricultural support schemes without harming farmers' financial stability.
Chris Bryant
Lab
Rhondda
Intervened to critique the suggestion of switching to beef production as an alternative solution, highlighting environmental concerns and questioning if unsold produce will be destroyed due to tariffs.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Asked about the continuity of payment schemes for livestock movement across Northern Ireland and the mainland UK, emphasising the need for flexibility in animal movement between different regions.
Danny Kruger
Reform
East Wiltshire
Mr. Kruger spoke about the shift in subsidies from traditional farming to environmental stewardship and the need for a balanced approach that supports both food production and environmental goals. He also mentioned the importance of statutory oversight in trade deals to protect food standards and farming interests.
Dave Doogan
SNP
Angus and Perthshire Glens
Mr. Doogan raised concerns about the reliance on a percentage of total UK support for Scotland, the potential impact of state aid principles in the UK Internal Market Bill, and the shortfall in rural Scotland's funding as promised by the Government.
The hon. Member for Victoria Prentis addressed several key points related to the new livestock traceability service, including its projected net benefit of £30 million over ten years and the involvement of DEFRA and the AHDB in decision-making. She also discussed the Direct Payments to Farmers (Legislative Continuity) Act 2020, emphasising that future direct payment reductions will be legislated through statutory instruments starting early next year. The Minister assured Scottish farmers that their funding commitment is greater than what was spent under the common agricultural policy and acknowledged the hard work of the Rural Payments Agency in paying farmers promptly. She further outlined plans for new schemes to support sustainable farming practices, including a slurry scheme and research and development opportunities.
Government Response
The Minister provided detailed responses regarding the Draft Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (Amendment) Order 2020, highlighting its importance in implementing the Agriculture Act's intentions, providing continuity for direct payments beyond 2020, fulfilling international obligations on agriculture, and laying the groundwork for the agricultural transition. She also addressed concerns about data sharing with devolved Administrations and assured that animal welfare standards would not be compromised.
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House of Commons debates take place in the main chamber of the House of Commons. These debates cover a wide range of topics including government policy, legislation, and current affairs. MPs from all parties can participate, question ministers, and hold the government accountable for its decisions.