Food Security

Question

I recently visited Tom, a farmer from my constituency, at the family farm in Pepperstock. We spoke about the importance of UK food sustainability—growing, harvesting and eating domestic produce. That is at risk without a well-functioning seasonal worker scheme. The National Farmers Union recommends improving the current scheme by securing it for five years with annual reviews and increasing the visa period to nine months. Does the Secretary of State agree that these potential reforms could support greater food security in the UK and mean less reliance on food imports?

Question

I welcome my right hon. Friend to his new role and, in particular, the experience of negotiating with the European Union that he brings to it. I welcome his remarks about supporting the farming industry, but I ask him not to forget the seafood industry and its importance in providing food security. As the new Environment Secretary, will he meet me and members of the seafood industry to discuss the way forward, because as much as we welcome the measures announced earlier this week to tackle abuse of legal migration, there are concerns as we transition away from freedom of movement?

Question

I welcome the new Minister, the Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the hon. Member for Keighley (Robbie Moore), and the new Secretary of State—I believe he is the fifth during my time in the shadow Environment team. The fish our fishers catch is vital to our food security, but recent actions by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency are leaving many inshore fishers at their wits' end. Can it really be right that a fisherman in the prime of his working life risks losing his livelihood because he was brave enough a few months ago to admit to a doctor that he felt anxious? Will the Secretary of State corner his colleague the Transport Secretary to look urgently at exemptions for smaller boats?

Question

Post-Brexit attempts to recruit domestic workers into agricultural jobs have not managed to fill existing vacancies, leaving firms unable to produce at pre-Brexit levels. New Government rules on migration now put the minimum income requirements for immigrant workers far higher than the level currently earned by an agricultural worker in the UK. In that context, what assessment is he and his Department making of the impact that his Government's draconian immigration policies will have on the security of domestic food production and on the cost and availability of food for consumers?

Question

What recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on helping to ensure food security. I recently visited Tom, a farmer from my constituency, at the family farm in Pepperstock. We spoke about the importance of UK food sustainability—growing, harvesting and eating domestic produce. That is at risk without a well-functioning seasonal worker scheme. The National Farmers Union recommends improving the current scheme by securing it for five years with annual reviews and increasing the visa period to nine months. Does the Secretary of State agree that those potential reforms could support greater food security in the UK and mean less reliance on food imports?