Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Environmental Land Management Schemes

Thursday 12 January 2023 · 3 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

  • Laurence Robertson inquired about the potential impact of environmental land management schemes on farmers' incomes.
  • The Minister responded that farmers will receive increased payments for protecting nature and enhancing sustainable food production.
  • Daniel Zeichner questioned the risk of failure in the new schemes and asked if a simpler approach could be devised.
  • The Minister responded to Zeichner by emphasizing the positive changes made following feedback, encouraging farmers to engage for both environmental and economic benefits.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Laurence Robertson Con
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The MP inquires about the impact of new schemes on farmers' incomes.

Question

What recent assessment has been made of the potential impact of environmental land management schemes on farmers' incomes?

Answer from Mark Spencer

This Government are committed to backing British farmers. Last week it was announced that farmers will receive more money for protecting and enhancing nature, and delivering sustainable food production under environmental land management schemes.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide a specific assessment of the impact on farmers' incomes

How: We Are Committed To

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Q2 Laurence Robertson Con
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

Concerns about moving from the basic payment scheme to ELMs due to complexity and uncertainties.

Question

Farmers are concerned about moving away from the basic payment scheme to environmental land management schemes, given the complexities and high production costs. Can he assure them it will be financially beneficial?

Answer from Mark Spencer

My hon. Friend should recognise the increase in payments being made. Last week, some countryside stewardship prices were raised by more than 40%, encouraging his constituents and farmers nationwide to take another look at these schemes for enhancing the environment and improving biodiversity.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide a direct financial assurance or address complexities explicitly

How: We Are Committed, Encourage

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Q3 Daniel Zeichner Lab Cambridge
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

Concerns about the low uptake of sustainable farming incentives and potential failure of agricultural transition.

Question

The scheme risks failing like elm trees did over 40 years. Given that the National Farmers Union described last week's announcement as “too little, too late,” will the Minister discuss how many farm businesses might fail due to this process? Can they work out a simpler way forward?

Answer from Mark Spencer

Disappointed by the hon. Gentleman's negativity; the uptake was low because it was a small pilot, but we listened to participants and improved payments accordingly. Farmers can now engage in these schemes for environmental benefits and profit.

Not addressed: Did not address potential business failures or discuss simplifying the process

How: Disappointed By Negativity

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