Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Environmental Land Management Schemes

Thursday 12 September 2024 · 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 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Claire Young raised concerns that some farmers are hesitant to sign up for environmental land management schemes due to fears of being locked into contracts.
  • The Government responded by stating they are addressing a 22 billion deficit in public finances, but remain committed to environmental land management schemes.
  • Toby Perkins questioned whether the current government will roll over the 350 million underspend in the farm budget from the previous government into future years, with the response indicating decisions will be made as part of the spending review.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Claire Young Lib Dem Thornbury and Yate
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

Farmers are not signing up for sustainable farming initiatives due to concerns over being locked into agreements without better offers in the future.

Question

On a visit to a local farm this summer with the National Farmers Union, it was raised that some farmers are not signing up for one of the Government's sustainable farming initiatives because they fear being locked in when a better deal may be just around the corner. With that in mind, will the Minister clarify whether farmers who sign up for an SFI will be able to transition to an alternative one?

Answer from Mary Creagh

We encourage all farmers to apply for the sustainable farm initiative, and we are actively looking at how we can achieve stability going forward.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not clarify if transition between SFIs is possible or rules will be reviewed.

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Q2 Claire Young Lib Dem Thornbury and Yate
Agriculture & Rural Affairs Environment
Context

The previous Government's idea for an innovative approach to the environment has been poorly executed, leaving farmers worried about their future.

Question

The environmental land management scheme approach was a really innovative idea from the previous Government, but its implementation has been a shambles and it is leaving far too many farmers desperately worried about their future. Can my hon. Friend tell me any more about what the Government have inherited and the urgent steps that they will take to support Britain's farmers to farm in a more natural way in the future?

Answer from Mary Creagh

We are addressing the £22 billion hole in the public finances. No decisions on the farming budget have been taken. Spending on Department priorities will be confirmed as part of the spending review, but we are fully committed to environmental land management schemes.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific steps or timeline for supporting farmers in sustainable farming.

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Q3 Toby Perkins Lab Chesterfield
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The previous Government left a significant underspend in the farm budget, amounting to £350 million.

Question

There was about a £350 million underspend in the farm budget under the previous Government. In opposition, they said that any underspend should be rolled over into future years. Is that still their position in government, and how will they do it?

Answer from Mary Creagh

We are looking at everything as part of the spending review and decisions will be announced in due course.

Not addressed: Did not confirm if underspend will be rolled over.

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Q4 Alistair Carmichael Lib Dem Orkney and Shetland
Agriculture & Rural Affairs Environment
Context

Regular water quality summits are being held in the constituency to address sewage dumping issues.

Question

In my constituency we are about to hold regular water quality summits, alongside my hon. Friend the Member for Southend East and Rochford (Mr Alaba), with the aim of ending the scourge of sewage dumping. Does my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State agree with me that this is a good local model and a good blueprint to be used nationally?

Answer from Mary Creagh

We are announcing a review into water. I urge him to participate and feed into that review. The sort of innovative model that brings partners together is certainly one we will be looking at.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not give clear agreement on using summits as national models.

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Q5 David Burton-Sampson Lab Southend West and Leigh
Agriculture & Rural Affairs Environment
Context

Farmers are hesitant to sign up for environmental land management schemes due to fears of being locked into agreements.

Question

What steps his Department is taking to increase uptake of environmental land management schemes.

Answer from Mary Creagh

This Labour Government are fully committed to environmental land management schemes. We will optimise the schemes so that they produce the right outcomes for all farmers, including small, grassland, upland and tenant farmers who have been too often ignored, while delivering food security and nature recovery in a just and equitable way.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify steps to increase uptake of ELMS.

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