Sustainable Farming 2021-10-28
2021-10-28
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The question arises from the need for sustainable agriculture in the face of environmental challenges.
What steps he is taking to support sustainable farming?
Environmental sustainability is fundamental to our new approach. Our new schemes will pay for regenerative farming practices, improvements to animal health and welfare, reductions in carbon emissions, cleaner water, and habitat renewal.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The questioner recently visited young Bedfordshire farmers who are improving soil health and wants to ensure continuity when environmental land management payments start.
What more can we do to encourage other farmers to follow their example as brilliantly shown in the documentary “Kiss the Ground” and ensure that, when environmental land management payments start, there is not a gap with the basic payments scheme ending?
My hon. Friend has already told me about his great meeting with Henry Hunt—one of his farmers—recently. I accept that the change from area-based payments to public money for public goods is challenging for farmers. The new system is being brought in gradually over seven years, but I reassure him that there is much in the new system for soil health, including one of the first eight standards, which has already been published. The soil health action plan and the Environment Bill will help, too.
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Assessment & feedback
gap between basic payments scheme ending and environmental land management payments starting
Gradual Implementation
Soil Health Standards
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The question arises from the need to boost farmer incomes through diversification.
Has consideration been given to funding diversification projects such as milk and eggs vending machines to enable farmers to farm the land and pay the bills?
It is slightly difficult to answer that question directly because this is a devolved issue. But, yes, grants are available for new pieces of technology that will help farmers with both diversification and making their businesses more sustainable.
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Assessment & feedback
devolved issue
Difficult To Answer Directly
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The question arises from the cruel treatment and tethering of horses on the roadside.
In Harlow we have a serious problem with horses being tethered on the roadside and cruelly treated. Will my hon. Friend introduce restrictions or ban this barbaric practice once and for all?
The tethering of horses is a serious issue about which I have spoken to my right hon. Friend many times in the past. I suggest we meet to discuss if there is more we can do to end unnecessary horse tethering. Occasionally this can be an appropriate practice.
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Assessment & feedback
no direct commitment to restrictions or ban
Suggest Meeting
Occasionally Appropriate
Response accuracy