Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Agricultural Support

Thursday 21 January 2021 · 2 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government committed to maintaining the current annual budget for farmers.
  • England will offer transitional and productivity support from the year of EU departure.
  • DEFRA works closely with the Welsh Government to promote Welsh food.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Virginia Crosbie
Brexit Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The question arises from the phasing out of direct payments to farmers due to leaving the EU, prompting concern about financial and policy support for agriculture.

Question

What steps he is taking to support agriculture as direct payments are phased out. The Government made a manifesto commitment to maintain the current annual budget to farmers. In England, we will be offering both transitional and productivity support from this year. Now we have left the EU, Wales, too, can shape its own agricultural policies.

Answer from Victoria Prentis

The Government made a manifesto commitment to maintain the current annual budget to farmers. In England, we will be offering both transitional and productivity support from this year. Now we have left the EU, Wales, too, can shape its own agricultural policies.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific details on the level of support for Welsh farmers were not provided

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Q2 Virginia Crosbie
Wales Brexit Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

Farmers' Union Wales Farmhouse Breakfast Week is ongoing, highlighting local produce and raising awareness about the importance of supporting Welsh farmers. The question stems from concerns over equal levels of financial and policy support for Welsh farmers as English farmers in the context of the UK leaving the EU.

Question

I thank the Minister for her answer. This week is Farmers' Union Wales Farmhouse Breakfast Week. This morning my family tucked into a hearty breakfast of local produce from the butchers at Anglesey Fine Foods in Valley. Farmers in my constituency, such as Gerald Thomas and Brian Bown, grow and rear some of the finest foods in the UK. What discussions has the Minister had with the Welsh Government to ensure they receive the same levels of support as English farmers now that they have left the EU? Does she also agree with me that Welsh farm sausage is the finest addition to any good breakfast?

Answer from Victoria Prentis

DEFRA works closely with the Welsh Government, and we have a shared commitment to promoting Welsh food. Well, a Welsh sausage is hard to beat, and I congratulate the Farmers' Union of Wales on its excellent farmhouse breakfast campaign and my hon. Friend on sourcing and enjoying local produce with her family this morning.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific discussions or agreements between DEFRA and the Welsh Government were not detailed

How: Well, A Welsh Sausage Is Hard To Beat

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