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Back British Farming Day
15 September 2021
Lead MP
Theo Clarke
Responding Minister
Victoria Prentis
Tags
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Word Count: 14254
Other Contributors: 14
At a Glance
Theo Clarke raised concerns about back british farming day in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
I urge the Minister to work with farmers to reverse declining trends in fruit production, ensure long-term support for the seasonal workers pilot scheme, and address the prohibitive costs associated with environmental land management schemes. Additionally, I suggest supermarkets create an 'aisle for the British Isles' to promote local food procurement.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
I am concerned about the low self-sufficiency rates in fruit (16%) and fresh vegetables (54%). The decline in traditional fruit tree production, such as apples (38% domestic demand) and pears (18%), is a significant issue. Moreover, the loss of £1 million from strawberry waste due to labour shortages highlights economic viability concerns for farmers.
The speaker congratulated the hon. Member for Stafford on securing the debate, discussing challenges faced by farmers both now and in the future. He emphasized the importance of public money for public good through the ELM scheme, urging greater cooperation with farmers. Anthony Mangnall also raised concerns about recent DEFRA consultations and their impact on the farming community, suggesting that the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee could further inquire into water rules difficulties. Additionally, he highlighted opportunities in regenerative agriculture and trade deals for British farmers.
Carla Lockhart
DUP
Upper Bann
The hon. Member thanked the hon. Member for Stafford for securing the debate and praised British farming, highlighting the economic importance of farming families in her constituency. She expressed deep concern over free trade deals with Australia and New Zealand that do not protect food welfare and environmental standards. Carla Lockhart also mentioned the need for progress on five asks from the hon. Member for Tiverton and Honiton to support farmers' standards and called for action to address issues related to the Northern Ireland protocol.
Truro and Falmouth
Mackrory thanked local farmers for their hard work during difficult circumstances. She raised concerns about the beef carcase imbalance, labelling issues, and the inefficacy of the Red Tractor system. Mackrory also highlighted the importance of public procurement and the need to support British produce in schools and hospitals. Additionally, she addressed the issue of daffodil exports from Cornwall, stressing the urgent need for a seasonal agricultural work scheme extension due to labour shortages.
Chris Loder
Con
West Dorset
Chris Loder, a farmer's son from West Dorset, expressed concern about the challenges faced by farmers due to environmental campaigners and supermarkets' dominant position in the supply chain. He criticised the Groceries Code Adjudicator for failing to address issues such as unfair contract practices by supermarkets like Sainsbury's. Loder emphasised the importance of animal welfare and highlighted that Britain's import standards, including prohibitions on hormone-injected beef and chlorinated chicken, remain intact under current government policy.
Daniel Zeichner
Lab
Cambridge
The MP expressed concern about the Government's actions towards British farming, citing issues such as trade deals undermining farmers' livelihoods, cuts to farm support, and labour shortages. He called for public bodies to buy more British food year-round and urged the Government to provide sufficient support to food producers. The MP also questioned the lack of action on the Trade and Agriculture Commission and Henry Dimbleby's review.
Danny Kruger
Reform
East Wiltshire
Welcomed the government's support for British farming and food production, advocating for free trade policies that benefit domestic producers while also allowing for imports. Emphasized the importance of consuming more domestic produce to avoid a two-tier system where poorer people rely on lower quality foreign products. Highlighted the role of farmers in maintaining land and countryside resilience and supporting national food security.
Stressed the urgency of the seasonal agricultural workers scheme (SAWS) for British farmers, particularly regarding daffodil harvesting in Cornwall. Emphasised that daffodils are a significant part of the UK's economy and called on the Home Office to extend SAWS to include non-edible crops such as daffodils.
Ms Drummond congratulated her colleague on securing the debate and highlighted the diverse farming community within the Meon Valley, including traditional family farms and vineyards. She advocated for lower taxation rates on English sparkling wine to support the export trade and emphasised the role of farmers in environmental stewardship through rewilding and high-tech management practices.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Mr. Shannon expressed strong support for British farming, citing the importance of Northern Ireland's agricultural sector which employs one in eight jobs and contributes £4.5 billion annually. He highlighted concerns over the impact of Brexit and the Northern Ireland protocol on farmers' mental health and income. Shannon also emphasised the need to ensure that trade deals do not disadvantage UK produce and called for support from the government in addressing issues such as seasonal worker shortages. Asked the hon. Member for Strangford if he agrees that the government has a duty to not only those who bring crops in but also those working in factories producing food. Acknowledged the support from Scottish National party for opposing Northern Ireland protocol, pointing out that farmers in both regions are suffering. Asked the Minister if they would give way.
John Nicolson
SNP
Nairn, Aberdeenshire and Moray
Asks a question but the content was not provided. Farmers in Scotland are essential workers who have been let down by Brexit. The UK-Australia trade agreement is detrimental to British farming due to lower animal welfare standards and price competition from larger-scale Australian farms. Climate pledges were dropped from the deal, setting a worrying precedent for future agreements.
Kerry McCarthy
Lab
Bristol East
Points out that fruit farmers were warned about an impending crisis years ago by a then Farming Minister who is now Secretary of State. Argues for better foresight in addressing agriculture worker shortages to prevent food waste. Asks about food insecurity and domestic production capabilities. Emphasises the importance of increasing self-sufficiency in fruit and vegetable farming. Ms McCarthy expressed concern over the Government's failure to protect British farming standards and their stalling on the statutory Trade and Agriculture Commission. She highlighted issues such as food waste due to supply chain disruptions, with one producer in Scotland wasting 3.5 million heads of broccoli and 1.9 million heads of cauliflower. Additionally, she criticized the lack of forward planning in addressing labour shortages and environmental impact.
Neil Parish
Con
Tewkesbury
Emphasises the importance of sustainable food production in an environmentally friendly manner, ensuring sufficient quality and quantity of food to meet future demands despite climate change.
Robin Millar
Con
Aberconwy
Millar congratulated Theo Clarke on securing the debate and praised the farming community in Aberconwy. He emphasized the importance of viewing farming as a business with inherent risks, acknowledging the efforts made by farmers during the pandemic to maintain food supply stability. Millar highlighted the environmental benefits of British livestock farming and its role in climate change mitigation, urging the Government to support this narrative at COP26.
Sally-Ann Hart
Lab
Hastings and Rye
Highlights that the Agriculture Act works alongside the Environment Bill to help local farmers thrive, increase productivity, and enhance UK food security.
Government Response
Victoria Prentis
Government Response
On Back British Farming Day, Victoria Prentis thanked MPs for their support of British farming and acknowledged the challenges faced by farmers. She highlighted initiatives such as extending seasonal worker visas to address labour shortages, increasing agrifood counsellors for export market expansion, and the ongoing work on Henry Dimbleby's food strategy report due in December. The minister discussed the seven-year transition period for future farming schemes aimed at promoting environmental outcomes and welfare standards, acknowledging the difficulty of implementing such changes but expressing confidence in their potential benefits. She emphasised the importance of high animal welfare standards and the Government's commitment to supporting farmers through sustainable agriculture policies.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.