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COP30: Food System Transformation
14 October 2025
Lead MP
Pippa Heylings
South Cambridgeshire
LD
Responding Minister
Stephen Doughty
Tags
Climate
Word Count: 9349
Other Contributors: 15
At a Glance
Pippa Heylings raised concerns about cop30: food system transformation in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
Pippa Heylings calls for stronger measures at COP30 to address the climate crisis and food systems transformation. She advocates for a legally binding declaration on food systems and renewed leadership from the UK government.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
The debate addresses the critical issues of food security, climate change, and sustainability. The second worst harvest on record in 2025 was followed by over £1 billion lost income for farmers due to extreme weather conditions, threatening national food production and stability.
Alex Sobel
Lab/Co-op
Leeds Central and Headingley
Suggested utilizing article 6 of the Paris agreement to support global food system transformation, especially for Ukraine's agricultural system after war damage. Raised issues concerning Ukraine and his role as a trade envoy, mentioned the importance of farmers' roles in sustainability.
St Ives
The MP supports the need for fair trade and distribution of food globally, emphasizing the role of the Groceries Code Adjudicator.
Ann Davies
PC
Caerfyrddin
Asks why local authorities cannot utilise public land for sustainable food production as seen in Caerfyrddin, suggesting the use of shared prosperity fund funding to support such initiatives.
Barry Gardiner
Lab
Brent West
Emphasized the need for diversity in global food systems and the integration of food systems into nationally determined contributions at COP30. Asked if the Minister would give way, showing interest in engaging directly.
Daniel Zeichner
Lab
Cambridge
Highlighted the importance of transforming food systems to address climate and nature challenges, emphasizing UK's role in setting a good example.
Jeevun Sandher
Lab
Loughborough
Discussed rising world food prices and undernourishment due to climate change impacts, emphasizing the need for sustainable agriculture investments and emergency support.
Shabana Mahmood
Lab
Birmingham, Ladywood
Noted her work in Somaliland regarding food insecurity and drought.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Discussed the importance of sustainable farming practices in Northern Ireland, mentioning a £37 million soil nutrient health scheme. Mentioned the importance of Northern Ireland agriculture and farming, highlighting food waste issues.
Kerry McCarthy
Lab
Bristol East
Agreed with the previous speaker, highlighting HSBC's financial involvement in deforestation and called for implementation of schedule 17 to the Environment Act 2021. Discussed diversity's importance to global ecosystems and asked about Government commitments on sustainability.
Esher and Walton
Questions if the Prime Minister will attend COP30 in Brazil, advocating for greater ambition from the UK on climate financing, clean energy rollout, and international leadership. Supports reform of international finance systems to ease debt burdens. Asked about COP attendance and private finance for climate initiatives.
Toby Perkins
Lab
Chesterfield
Calls on the government to be ambitious at COP30 and highlights the importance of reducing carbon emissions in agriculture. Also stresses the need for rebuilding relationships with farmers to support sustainable farming practices.
Olivia Blake
Lab
Sheffield Hallam
Celebrates local sustainable food initiatives while urging the Government to uphold manifesto commitments against renewing oil and gas licences. Calls for rejecting Rosebank proposals as they exacerbate climate change. Asked about the Government’s commitments on sustainability and COP agenda.
Sarah Dyke
LD
Glastonbury and Somerton
Supports the debate highlighting poor returns in the dairy industry, with prices dropping by almost 20% in November. Emphasises the need for a combined Agricultural Supply Chain Adjudicator and Groceries Code Adjudicator to enforce fair practices.
Alec Shelbrooke
Con
Wetherby and Easingwold
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mrs Harris. I congratulate the hon. Member for South Cambridgeshire on securing this important debate. For any of us with a farming constituency, there is no doubt what a difficult year this has been.
Terry Jermy
Lab
South West Norfolk
Highlights that 33% of global greenhouse gas emissions come from food systems, with animal agriculture contributing up to 20%. Emphasises the need for a just transition for farmers and protecting animal welfare. Spoke about food systems' impact on global emissions, stressing farmers' roles in sustainability and animal welfare.
Government Response
Stephen Doughty
The Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
Government Response
It is a pleasure to have you in the Chair today, Mrs Harris. I thank the hon. Member for South Cambridgeshire for her work on climate and food systems, not just in this place but throughout her career, and I acknowledge her huge experience of these issues. In response to the shadow Minister, the right hon. Member for Wetherby and Easingwold, this is absolutely a priority for the Government at COP30, and more broadly. Responded to various points raised by MPs on the importance of sustainability, resilience in agriculture, and global food security. Noted commitments towards climate finance, including £11.6 billion pledge, supporting sustainable farming initiatives, and emphasised the role of scientific research in addressing these challenges. We are committed to clear action at COP30 and showing leadership in this area. The Government supports British farming with over £2.7 billion a year for sustainable agriculture and nature recovery; through environmental land management schemes, farmers are rewarded for environmental benefits. We aim for a future where food systems are resilient, fair, and sustainable, supporting farmers, protecting ecosystems, and ensuring everyone has access to healthy and affordable food.
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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.