Contributions
1,212 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDMaximum Sustainability Yield: UK-relevant Quota Stock SpeciesI would like to update the House today on a change to the number of total allowable catch limits (TACs) for quota stock that the UK has an interest in that will be fished at or…29 Apr 2020HANSARD Caging of Farm AnimalsI think I will call you “Mr Chairman”, Mr Davies. I do not think I will call you anything else in the circumstances. I thank the Petitions Committee for giving us the opportunity…16 Mar 2020HANSARDSentience and Welfare of AnimalsWhile absolutely committing to bring forward the legislation at some point, I am not committing to bringing it forward this year, which I am seeking to explain is not necessary…16 Mar 2020HANSARDSentience and Welfare of AnimalsIt is important to clarify this matter, as the hon. Lady has raised it specifically. The manifesto commitment is to bring forward the legislation as soon as possible. That is…16 Mar 2020HANSARDSentience and Welfare of AnimalsOn your birthday? That is good news. We have coupled the ban with a very effective public awareness campaign—not everything is to do with legislation; there are other methods of…16 Mar 2020HANSARDSentience and Welfare of AnimalsIt will give me enormous pleasure to agree to meet my hon. Friend to discuss that. I am a former officer of the all-party parliamentary group on cats and, indeed, the proud…16 Mar 2020HANSARDSentience and Welfare of AnimalsIt really is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship in this important debate, Sir Roger. I am not sure that we have yet reached a point on animal welfare where we are sharing…16 Mar 2020HANSARD Caging of Farm AnimalsAs the hon. Gentleman knows, the system is currently being devised. I am very keen to include him as much as I can in the way we do that. Some of it might well be tier 1 funding,…16 Mar 2020HANSARDAgriculture Bill (Eleventh sitting)Starting with amendment 32, now that the UK has left the EU, we have become a fully independent member of the WTO. That means that the UK Government are responsible for ensuring…05 Mar 2020HANSARDAgriculture Bill (Twelfth sitting)On a point of order, Sir David. I understand that now is the right point to thank you very much for your chairmanship. I also thank the other Chair who has helped us with the…05 Mar 2020HANSARDAgriculture Bill (Twelfth sitting)I am going to make some progress. Climate change is a global challenge, requiring action across the whole economy. We do not have sector-specific targets. That is to ensure that…05 Mar 2020HANSARDAgriculture Bill (Twelfth sitting)Yes, the Government are up to dealing with the climate crisis and are determined to do so, and yes, we agree with the hon. Gentleman that there is no more important thing that we…05 Mar 2020HANSARDAgriculture Bill (Twelfth sitting)I absolutely agree that farmers can benefit in many ways by co-operating and working together. Co-operation provides opportunities to cut costs and achieve economies of scale,…05 Mar 2020HANSARDAgriculture Bill (Twelfth sitting)I am reminded that the Government Whip and I both read English at university, and “A Modest Proposal” can mean something quite different. However, I thank the hon. Lady for her…05 Mar 2020HANSARDAgriculture Bill (Twelfth sitting)I hope that I have reassured hon. Members in all parts of the Committee that we will consult extensively on the use of the various powers in the Bill. We know that the delivery of…05 Mar 2020HANSARDAgriculture Bill (Twelfth sitting)Bovine TB is one of our most difficult animal health challenges. It costs the Government about £100 million a year and industry around £50 million a year. Tackling it is…05 Mar 2020HANSARDAgriculture Bill (Twelfth sitting)In fact, why don’t the Government just stop? [ Laughter. ]05 Mar 2020HANSARDAgriculture Bill (Twelfth sitting)I assure the hon. Gentleman that our eyes are very open when it comes to ensuring that the use of pesticides is minimised, and that pesticide usage and its effects are carefully…05 Mar 2020HANSARDAgriculture Bill (Twelfth sitting)It is a key priority of the Government to ensure not only a successful and effective agricultural sector, but one in which workers are treated fairly. In recent years there has…05 Mar 2020HANSARDAgriculture Bill (Twelfth sitting)In my experience, farmers would much prefer a cheque to a love letter. Maybe I have met the wrong ones. In that spirit, the only commitment I am going to make is the important…05 Mar 2020