Food Production Costs 2023-07-06

2023-07-06

TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Context
The question arises from the impact of increased food production costs on consumers and businesses.
What steps her Department is taking to help mitigate the impact of increased food production costs on (a) consumers and (b) businesses. The war in Ukraine has placed pressures on global imports and energy costs, affecting British growers and food security.
Putin's illegal war in Ukraine has placed pressures on global imports and energy costs. We have taken significant action to support British growers and to safeguard our food security. Building on the work to invest in fertiliser supply and slurry storage, energy infrastructure and costs, the Prime Minister recently hosted the first ever UK Farm to Fork summit on productivity and sustainability, as part of maintaining the £2.4 billion budget for farming each year.
Assessment & feedback
The answer does not directly address specific steps taken to help consumers and businesses with increased food production costs.
Changing Subject
Response accuracy
Q2 Partial Answer
Context
Food inflation is at a record 45-year high, causing significant costs for both farmers and consumers.
What discussions has the Minister had with the Prime Minister to find out what they can do now for farmers, growers and producers and to protect beleaguered shoppers? The plan needs improvement as current actions are not working.
I think the hon. Gentleman will be aware that we are not responsible for Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which has had a significant impact on global energy prices. The good news is that those global energy prices are coming back to a level, and that is starting to feed back into our food supply chain. That is why we are helping and supporting farmers, investing in new technology and investing in their businesses to make them more sustainable and more profitable going forwards so that they can continue to deliver great quality British food at a reasonable price.
Assessment & feedback
The answer does not provide details on discussions with the Prime Minister or immediate plans for support.
Hedging Language Changing Subject
Response accuracy
Q3 Partial Answer
Context
Food inflation is higher in the UK than elsewhere, with labour shortages causing Scottish crops to be ploughed back into fields.
When will the Government accept that Brexit has caused these issues?
Unfortunately, the hon. Gentleman is misinformed. Food prices are higher in Germany and France. If Brexit were the issue, clearly that would not be the case. That is why we are investing in those farmers. We are supporting them by increasing the number of visas that are available in the seasonal agricultural worker scheme.
Assessment & feedback
The answer does not accept that Brexit has caused these issues.
Disagreement Changing Subject
Response accuracy
Q4 Direct Answer
Context
Brexit has led to labour shortages in fishing and farming, causing crops to be ploughed back into fields.
Is it not time that the Scottish Government had control over some migration visas, even of a limited timescale?
We have issued 45,000 possible visas on the seasonal agriculture worker scheme and we are currently nowhere near that level. There are an extra 10,000 visas available should the industry require them. We have not seen the necessity to trigger those extra 10,000 at this moment in time, which is because there are adequate visas available to support farmers and fishermen.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q5 Partial Answer
Context
The price of wheat has fallen, but the price of bread in supermarkets remains high.
Why has the price of bread in our supermarkets not fallen, too?
I declare my interest in these matters. I recognise the fact that global wheat prices have now come back down. We work closely with retailers, processers and the hospitality sector to make sure that there is not extra profiteering in the marketplace. We will continue to have discussions with those representatives and will work with the sector to make sure that food is reasonably priced for our constituents.
Assessment & feedback
The answer does not provide specific reasons for unchanged bread prices despite reduced wheat prices.
Hedging Language
Response accuracy
Q6 Direct Answer
Context
Local farmers in north Northamptonshire are facing challenges like every other farm.
Would the Minister be kind enough to visit Kettering to meet a large group of local farmers?
That is a very kind invitation. It is always a pleasure to visit Northamptonshire, and, if my diary allows, I will of course meet my hon. Friend and his farmers.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q7 Partial Answer
Context
Chicken producers are facing significant challenges in terms of profitability, leading to a reduction in bird production.
Will the Minister commit to extending the examination of food supply chains to poultry meat and engage with retailers?
I was on a poultry farm yesterday talking to poultry producers. The SNP cannot have it both ways; it cannot ask one question about suppressing prices for consumers and another about increasing the prices for farmers—those things are diametrically opposed. What we are doing as a Department is supporting those farmers through the £2.4 billion-worth of subsidy, helping them to invest in new technology and talking to retailers and producers to make sure we get fairness in the supply chain, so everybody gets a fair return for their hard work.
Assessment & feedback
The answer does not commit to extending examination of poultry supply chains or engaging with retailers specifically.
Disagreement Changing Subject
Response accuracy