Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

DEFRA Policies: Impact on Farming Communities

Thursday 18 December 2025 · 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 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Matt Vickers raised concerns about the impact of food price taxes on farming communities.
  • Ben Goldsborough discussed the economic impact of avian influenza on the poultry sector.
  • Dr Neil Hudson highlighted the importance of veterinary education for animal welfare and biosecurity.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Matt Vickers Con Stockton West
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

Farmers in Stockton West have expressed concerns about the family farm tax impacting food prices, food security and their livelihoods. The farming profitability review identifies this as a significant issue affecting farm viability.

Question

I have met many farmers from my part of the world who have shared with me the horrific consequences of the family farm tax on food prices, on food security and on families who have farmed for generations. This morning’s farming profitability review identifies that that is the single biggest issue affecting farm viability. I believe that if the Minister heard at first hand from farmers in my part of the world, she might think again. Will she meet them?

Answer from The Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs (Dame Angela Eagle)

I meet farmers all the time, and I intend to spend the early part of next year, and hopefully many years thereafter, continuing to do so.

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Q2 Ben Goldsborough Lab South Norfolk
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The poultry sector contributes £1.5 billion to the UK economy but is facing challenges due to avian flu outbreaks.

Question

Christmas is coming and the goose is getting fat—or it would be if we had not had such a terrible year for avian influenza. The poultry sector is worth £1.5 billion gross value added to our UK economy. As much as I welcome the investment going into Harlow for the national biosecurity centre, will the Minister tell us what action we are taking to make sure that we have more veterinary surgeons located in the area where the problems are being found?

Answer from Angela Eagle

I pay tribute to the farmers in my hon. Friend’s constituency in the awful situation they face. We are closely monitoring the outbreak and have taken action to eradicate disease by putting in place control zones, tracing movements and issuing a proactive housing order. I am more than happy to talk to him about what we can do to ensure that we have the appropriate level of veterinary response.

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Q3 Neil Hudson Con Epping Forest
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

A recommendation has been made to close the University of Cambridge’s veterinary school, which is critical for food security and animal welfare. The MP also declares his strong personal and professional interest in this matter.

Question

The Government must enact policies that benefit farming communities. They have a chance to do that now with another critical issue that impacts our farming, food security, animal welfare and biosecurity. A recommendation was made this month by the council of the School of the Biological Sciences to close the University of Cambridge’s vet school. I declare my strong personal and professional interest as a graduate of that school and as a fellow of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. We do not produce enough vets in the UK. We face threats to our food security and our biosecurity, both of which vets are pivotal to. The health and welfare of animals depends on vets, as indeed does public health. Will the Government act now to press the University of Cambridge to block this closure proposal and save Cambridge’s vet school, for the benefit of animals and people here in the UK and across the world?

Answer from Angela Eagle

This is a matter for the University of Cambridge, but having visited the veterinary school at Harper Adams University, I am all too aware—as clearly the hon. Gentleman is—of the importance of having enough well-qualified vets in our country. We need to ensure that the supply and the opportunities to train are there, but this particular decision is one for the University of Cambridge. I am happy to talk to the university, but I am unsighted on the reasons.

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