Key Facts

• The selection list shows how selected amendments have been grouped for debate.
• Decisions on amendments are taken in the order they appear on the amendment paper, not the order debated.
• Graham Stringer will use discretion to decide whether to allow separate stand part debates on individual clauses and schedules.
• Amendment would change 'may' to 'must' in clause 1.
• Government has guaranteed previous annual CAP budget under common agricultural policy.
• Policy statement on ELMS is imminent but not yet available.
• The Agriculture Bill includes Clause 1(4) which mentions encouraging environmentally sustainable food production.
• There is concern about whether farmers will receive the same level of financial support under new systems.
• Other clauses like Clause 4 and Clause 17 are worded as requirements rather than powers.
• The amendment aims to support sustainable farming practices.
• It seeks to enhance public access to healthy, sustainably farmed food.
• Zeichner presses the amendment to a Division due to cross-party support.
• Amendment 11 aims to establish agroecological farming systems.
• Amendment 3 defines 'environmentally sustainable way'.
• Over 1 million people in the UK live in food deserts, lacking access to affordable fresh produce.
• Organic farms support 50% more wildlife and have healthier soils with higher carbon storage capacity than conventional farms.
• The RSA Food, Farming and Countryside Commission recommended a 10-year transition plan for sustainable agroecological farming by 2030.
• Concerns raised about over-incentivising switch to organic production.
• Research indicates 20% lower greenhouse gas emissions from organic production.
• A 4% reduction in livestock emissions and a 6% overall direct emissions bonus if the UK went fully organic.
• Organic food production could result in a 40% reduction in total food production in England and Wales expressed as total metabolisable energy (ME) output.
• Amendment 11 is being debated.
• The procedure requires pressing the amendment to a vote after the debate on amendment 40.
• Clause 1(2) allows for financial assistance to start or improve agricultural productivity.
• Henry Dimbleby led an independent review of the food system covering from field to fork, including health diets and national food security.
• The government provides £3 billion annually to support farmers compared to a £95-billion-a-year budget for poverty relief through the Department for Work and Pensions.
• The statement discusses the potential risk of moving unsustainable agricultural practices overseas, leading to increased carbon emissions.
• There is concern about maintaining current levels of food production in the UK versus potentially lowering them based on global standards.
• Labour believes in government intervention to address market failures and ensure access to fresh produce in local communities.
• Amendment 34 aims to add 'improving public health' to the list of purposes for financial assistance.
• Amendment 35 defines 'improving public health' to include increasing fruit and vegetable availability, affordability, diversity, quality, and marketing.
• It also includes reducing antibiotic use in farming and providing support for farmers to diversify out of domestic production.
• Amendment 34 would include improving public health as a goal for farmers.
• Amendment 35 outlines priority areas such as reducing antibiotic use, chemical pesticide harm, and increasing healthy food availability.
• The EU has agreed to end routine antibiotic use by January 2022.
• The chronic exposure to agricultural pesticides is associated with diseases like cancer, developmental disorders, and sterility.
• Only 31% of British adults meet the Government’s recommendation of five portions of fruit and vegetables per day.
• England currently uses only 1.4% of its agricultural land for fruit and vegetable cultivation.
• The Public Health Policy Evaluation Unit estimates that increasing land use for fruit and vegetable production to 10% could prevent around 3,890 cardiovascular disease deaths between 2021 and 2030.
• DEFRA is working closely with the Department of Health and Social Care to improve public health.
• The UK government is investing in programmes like healthy start, school fruit and vegetable schemes, and nursery milk schemes.
• One million children in key stage 1 receive fruit or vegetables daily through the school scheme.
• Subsection (1)(f) allows financial assistance for livestock health and welfare.
• The Bill supports farmers' ability to challenge unfair trading practices.
• A national action plan exists for tackling antimicrobial resistance.
• The Agriculture Bill includes a £3 billion budget for farmers.
• Concerns exist about less rural-friendly Ministers potentially altering funding priorities in the future.
• Amendment 34 aims to clarify how public goods will be supported through the Bill.
• The current wording in clause 1(1)(d) refers to managing land, water or livestock in a way that mitigates or adapts to climate change.
• The National Farmers Union is committed to a net zero carbon target for agriculture by 2040.
• The Committee on Climate Change’s progress report shows no reduction in emissions from agriculture since 2008.
• The Agriculture Bill aims to address carbon emissions but lacks a clear roadmap like other sectors have.
• The UK Government missed its target on tree planting by at least 70%.
• Storm Ciara and Storm Dennis caused significant flooding and soil erosion, highlighting the need for better land management.