Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Sustainable Farming

Thursday 28 October 2021 · 4 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Environmental sustainability is fundamental to the new approach, with schemes paying for regenerative farming practices and other improvements.
  • The transition from area-based payments to public money for public goods is challenging for farmers but is being implemented gradually over seven years.
  • Grants are available for new technology that helps farmers with diversification and sustainability, though the issue is devolved and direct funding specifics vary.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Andrew Selous Con
Agriculture & Rural Affairs Environment
Context

The question arises from the need for sustainable agriculture in the face of environmental challenges.

Question

What steps he is taking to support sustainable farming?

Answer from Victoria Prentis

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.

Answered
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Q2 Andrew Selous Con
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The questioner recently visited young Bedfordshire farmers who are improving soil health and wants to ensure continuity when environmental land management payments start.

Question

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?

Answer from Victoria Prentis

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: gap between basic payments scheme ending and environmental land management payments starting

How: Gradual Implementation, Soil Health Standards

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Q3 Jim Shannon DUP Strangford
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The question arises from the need to boost farmer incomes through diversification.

Question

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?

Answer from Victoria Prentis

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: devolved issue

How: Difficult To Answer Directly

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Q4 Robert Halfon Con
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The question arises from the cruel treatment and tethering of horses on the roadside.

Question

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?

Answer from Victoria Prentis

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.

Not addressed: no direct commitment to restrictions or ban

How: Suggest Meeting, Occasionally Appropriate

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