Sheep Farming — [Dr Rupa Huq in the Chair]

Suggested supporting local abattoirs as a way to provide direct support for small sheep farmers.

Supported the hon. Member, agreeing with concerns over sheep worrying legislation and the 33% decrease in income for upland farmers in Wales, calling for action to ensure farm viability. Addressed concerns about access to land for tenant farmers, noting that farm business tenancies offer terms of five to seven years on average. Suggested the need for legislation to secure long-term tenancies and provide young farmers with stability.

Emphasised the importance of sheep farming and local livestock marts in Wales, raising concerns about the UK-Australia and UK-New Zealand free trade agreements due to the price disparity between Welsh lamb and New Zealand lamb.

Farming, especially sheep farming, is vital to the economy and landscape of North Northumberland. The constituency has around 2,000 farm holdings with approximately 457,000 sheep and lambs, 3% of the national total. David Smith highlighted challenges such as attracting young farmers due to financial gains and access to land, suggesting improvements in education and potential tax incentives for landowners. He also called for clarity on future farming subsidies and funding.

Jim Allister highlighted the need for a sheep support scheme in Northern Ireland, noting that farmers there are subject to EU rules but none of its benefits. He cited a taskforce recommendation from early last year and mentioned that sheep farming only farms will lose 17% of their basic payment unless they change practices. Allister also warned about a looming crisis with veterinary medicines due to the Windsor framework and called for action against the European Commission. He criticises the Government for failing to deliver Northern Ireland from EU rules, stating that no part of the United Kingdom should be subject to them.

Representing a rural constituency, Jim Shannon highlighted the importance of sheep farming to Northern Ireland's economy. He shared that there were approximately 2 million sheep in Northern Ireland and that the value of output decreased by 0.5% to £109 million in 2023. Shannon called for joint policy on promoting sheep farming and protecting family industries through future trade deals, urging the Government to engage with officials from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.

Mr Moore praised the sheep farming industry's £1.8 billion contribution to the UK economy, urging the government to maintain or enhance support for sheep farmers. He highlighted progress made during the previous Conservative Government on livestock worrying and post-Brexit agricultural policy. Mr Moore asked the new Labour Administration to clarify their intentions regarding the farming budget and sustainability initiatives like the sustainable farming incentive.

Stressed the importance of supporting the next generation of farmers and highlighted the significant role sheep farming plays in Northern Ireland's economy, contributing £109 million annually. Noted that the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs' future agricultural policy does not mention sheep despite their industry's critical contribution. Emphasised challenges like veterinary medicine supply issues due to the protocol, and bureaucratic hurdles for livestock movement between GB and NI. He intervened to note that Northern Irish sheep farmers face a disadvantage compared to beef farmers and those in the Republic of Ireland who benefit from a sheep support scheme paying up to €17 to €20 per head.

Livestock farming, including sheep, is vital to the south-west rural economy with Somerset's food production worth over £500 million. The previous government's policies have undermined farmers' confidence in long-term planning due to instability and lack of certainty around funding and environmental land management schemes. With 8,500 jobs reliant on farming in Somerset and nearly half of vets leaving within four years, there is concern about animal welfare and mental health impacts among farmers under 40. The speaker urges the Government to protect British agriculture from uncompetitive imports by negotiating comprehensive veterinary and plant health agreements with Europe.

Welcomed the hon. Gentleman to the House, praising his speech on sheep farming in uplands where 41% of upland farmers are tenants. Suggested adopting Baroness Rock's proposal for a tenant farmer commissioner to protect against poor landlord decisions.

He highlighted the importance of sheep farming in his constituency, noting that about 4,500 sheep and lambs would be sold at the Lewis & Harris Auction Mart. The speaker cited a decline in sheep numbers by 52% over the past two decades, partly due to policy changes like decoupling headage payments and moving to area-based payments which have led to a real-term decrease of agricultural support by 20%. He also mentioned that crofting communities need accessible and proportionate support to maintain their economic viability. Additionally, he pointed out that despite the decline in sheep numbers, agriculture remains vital for the working-age population.