Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Livestock Farmers

Thursday 10 March 2022 · 5 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 5 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Welsh Government are considering moving away from individual animal valuation towards table valuation, similar to England.
  • The hon. Lady has discussed these issues previously. She raises an important issue of animal welfare.
  • The situation in Ukraine means food security is a priority. We grow 74% of our grain and are self-sufficient.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Jane Hunt
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The question follows from the Minister's previous statement on supporting livestock farmers.

Question

What steps he is taking to support livestock farmers. What progress has been made in examining the Welsh compensation scheme for cattle destroyed due to suspected tuberculosis? I understand that the Welsh model pays the value of the animal, unlike standardised valuations in England, particularly concerning prize-winning high-quality breeds.

Answer from Victoria Prentis

The Welsh Government are considering moving away from individual animal valuation towards table valuation, similar to England. My hon. Friend recently met the Secretary of State with her constituent Andrew Birkle to discuss this issue.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Details on replacing standardised valuations in England were not provided.

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Q2 Jane Hunt
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The questioner references a recent “Panorama” episode that shows farms not meeting animal welfare standards despite professing to adopt them.

Question

Most livestock farmers want to follow best animal welfare standards, and consumers need confidence in this. The “Panorama” episode “A Cow's Life” showed another Red Tractor farm not meeting these standards. What is she doing to ensure better consumer confidence and compliance with animal welfare standards?

Answer from Victoria Prentis

The hon. Lady has discussed these issues previously. She raises an important issue of animal welfare. I would be delighted to talk about our recently published animal health and welfare pathway, including annual vet visits to every farm for direct discussions between vets and farmers.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific details on measures to ensure better consumer confidence were provided.

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Q3 Kerry McCarthy Lab Bristol East
Ukraine Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The pig sector is in crisis with thousands of animals being dammed back on farms and more than 40,000 culled due to food security issues.

Question

As the pandemic highlighted food security issues, the current situation in Ukraine exacerbates them. The UK pig sector faces a crisis with animals culled on farms not entering the supply chain, creating health and welfare problems. What measures are being taken by the Government to address this?

Answer from Victoria Prentis

The situation in Ukraine means food security is a priority. We grow 74% of our grain and are self-sufficient. The Government work closely with industry, processors, and retailers at all levels in the pig sector to address issues.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide concrete measures or timelines for addressing the crisis.

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Q4 Neil Hudson Con Epping Forest
Scotland Brexit Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The New Zealand trade deal is causing a £150 million impediment to livestock farmers, affecting Northern Irish animals at Stirling bull sales, seed potato exports, and tariffs on jute sacks.

Question

The £150 million impact from the New Zealand trade deal is due to Brexit. Issues include lack of Northern Irish animals at Stirling bull sales, inability to export seed potatoes, high tariffs, and shellfish export issues. Can the Minister give my Angus farmers a single benefit of Brexit?

Answer from Victoria Prentis

The Scottish Government does not share benefits from agricultural space due to Brexit. In England, we aim to move towards paying people for producing public goods; this is not yet available in Scotland. I am meeting NFU Scotland today to discuss issues.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide a specific benefit of Brexit.

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Q5 Dave Doogan SNP Angus and Perthshire Glens
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The pig farming sector faces a prolonged crisis with over 40,000 pigs culled on farms wasted. Processors failing to honour contracts exacerbates the issue.

Question

Not addressing the pig crisis question previously asked. Pig farmers have been in crisis for months; Government response has always been too little and late. More than 40,000 pigs already culled with waste. The failure of processors to honour contracts is a problem. When will the Minister pass this issue to the Competition and Markets Authority?

Answer from Victoria Prentis

Time constraints prevented me from detailing measures for the pig industry. We work closely with the industry, starting a review of the supply chain that may lead to regulatory change. Evidence will be referred to the CMA when appropriate; interim requests are welcomed.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to passing issues immediately to the Competition and Markets Authority.

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