Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Farmers

Thursday 9 May 2024 · 7 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 5 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Food security is prioritized by backing British farmers with 2.4 billion annual spending.
  • Government announced 65 million funding for drainage issues in Lincolnshire, more to come.
  • Minister for Food, Farming and Fisheries is engaging with the EU on seed potato exports.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Jamie Stone Lib Dem Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The question is prompted by the need to support farmers who are facing various challenges in Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross.

Question

What steps he is taking to support rural farmers. Specifically, what actions or funding is available to help them address environmental protection while continuing to produce food?

Answer from Steve Barclay

Food security is more important than ever, which is why we need to back British farmers to keep putting food on our tables, while protecting the environment. We are supporting farming with £2.4 billion of annual spending, an average boost of 10% for the sustainable farming incentive payment scheme, and new rules to ensure that farmers get a fair price for their products.

Answered
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Q2 Edward Leigh Con Gainsborough
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

Farmers in Lincolnshire are suffering from flooding, and there is a need to provide them with support.

Question

Obviously farmers in low-lying areas of Lincolnshire are suffering from flooding, so any update on the support that they can be given would be very helpful. Specifically, will the Government update us on when they will announce the long-term funding solution that they promised for internal drainage boards to address pressure on local authorities through special levies?

Answer from Steve Barclay

My right hon. Friend is right to focus on the importance of drainage boards, particularly in Lincolnshire. We have announced £65 million of funding and the Minister for water will make further announcements shortly. There has been a 60% increase in rainfall and we are looking at a series of easements with regard to SFI to ensure that farmers get their payments.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The exact timeline or specifics on when the long-term funding solution will be announced.

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Q3 Jamie Stone Lib Dem Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The quality of seed potatoes grown in the far north of Scotland is highly regarded, and there are export opportunities for these products.

Question

On behalf of my party, I wish Phil, the Head Doorkeeper, a very happy birthday. As the Government know, we grow the finest seed potatoes in the far north of Scotland which farmers in Europe want to buy. I ask the Government to do everything in their power to ensure that these potatoes go where they are needed and wanted.

Answer from Steve Barclay

The hon. Member makes a valid point in terms of both the quality and the desirability of the products he refers to. The Minister for Food, Farming and Fisheries is engaging actively with the EU on that specific point and will update the hon. Member on it.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specifics provided on actions being taken to support potato export or timeline for updates.

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Q4 Robert Goodwill Con
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

Eastern England is facing a potential worst harvest in living memory, which could affect straw availability and potato supply.

Question

One has only to look over the hedges of eastern England to agree with those who are predicting the worst harvest in living memory. What assessment has the Secretary of State made of the impact that will have on the wider rural economy? Specifically, what is being done about straw prices and potato supply?

Answer from Steve Barclay

My right hon. Friend is absolutely on the money in terms of concern regarding straw prices and lower harvests this autumn. We are engaging extensively with the sector. The Prime Minister will chair the Farm to Fork summit next week, indicating how seriously we take this.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific assessment provided on the impact of low harvests or concrete actions taken.

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Q5 Chi Onwurah Lab Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

North-east England is facing challenges to produce sustainable and affordable food due to the cost of living crisis.

Question

It is north-east week in parliamentary canteens. However, it is always north-east week in Grainger Market which champions local farmers and produce. What is the Secretary of State doing to support north-east farmers in the challenges they face?

Answer from Steve Barclay

Our colleague, my hon. Friend the Member for Colchester (Will Quince), is conducting a review of public sector food procurement so that within our public sector we can better procure domestic produce. We also have a review of labelling to ensure purchasers can buy north-east produce more easily.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific action or commitment related directly to supporting farmers in the north-east was provided.

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Q6 Daniel Zeichner Lab Cambridge
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

A survey by the National Farmers Union revealed that a staggering 65% of farmers are facing declining profits or business survival issues.

Question

What are the Government doing to support farmers? The NFU survey shows that 65% of farmers face declining profits. Why do farmers fare worse under the Conservatives?

Answer from Steve Barclay

The hon. Gentleman seems to have written that question before listening, but let me give him one example: The most successful scheme DFRA has ever run is the current sustainable farming incentive scheme, with over 20,000 applications—more than any other scheme DFRA has run.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific actions or funding mentioned to support farmers facing declining profits.

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Q7 Steven Bonnar
Brexit Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The SNP Government have guaranteed funding for Scottish farmers, unlike the current UK government.

Question

Brexit has been deeply damaging to farmers across the UK. The actions taken by the Scottish Government mean that farmers in Scotland have far greater protection than those elsewhere on these islands. Will the Secretary of State take this opportunity to apologise to farmers in England for his Government's betrayal?

Answer from Steve Barclay

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the £2.4 billion commitment in our manifesto, which has been met in full.

Not addressed: The question was about apologising and comparing protection levels for farmers; no apology or comparative analysis provided.

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