Contributions
149 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDWater and Sewage Regulation (Industry and Regulators Committee Report)My Lords, I must first declare my interests as a farmer and chair of the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology. Rivers are an important source of life. They host a huge range of…16 Oct 2023HANSARDLand Use in England Committee ReportMy Lords, I must first thank all noble Lords who have contributed to this debate, especially the valedictory speech of the right reverend Prelate the Bishop of Carlisle, who has…25 Jul 2023HANSARDLand Use in England Committee ReportMy Lords, it is funny—when I stand up, everyone seems to leave. First, I declare my interests as a farmer and landowner and as the chair of the UK Centre for Ecology and…25 Jul 2023HANSARDLand Use in England Committee ReportThat this House takes note of the Report from the Land Use in England Committee Making the most out of England’s land (HL Paper 105).25 Jul 2023HANSARDHousing Crisis: Rural and Coastal CommunitiesMy Lords, housing for this and the next generation is the biggest problem facing rural communities. The problem has been bad for decades but it is getting worse. In Cornwall now,…24 Jul 2023HANSARDGeothermal Heat and PowerMy Lords, first, I thank everyone, including the Minister, for taking part in this important debate. Apparently, I am not allowed to say anything at the end, so I thank noble…06 Jul 2023HANSARDGeothermal Heat and PowerTo ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the geothermal potential for heat and power in Great Britain; and what plans they have, if any, to make use of it.06 Jul 2023HANSARDLand Use CommissionMy Lords, in devising a continuous renewal of their land use strategy, how will the Government recruit and accommodate the necessary expertise in areas such as energy, leisure and…22 May 2023HANSARDGenetic Technology (Precision Breeding) BillMy Lords, I repeat, again, that I am a very strong supporter of this Bill and everything it stands for. However, again, as I have said at every stage and indeed a moment ago on…25 Jan 2023HANSARDGenetic Technology (Precision Breeding) BillMy Lords, for the purposes of Report, I declare my interests: I am still involved in a family farming enterprise growing crops and rearing livestock, I chair the board of the UK…25 Jan 2023HANSARDGenetic Technology (Precision Breeding) BillMy Lords, my Amendments 35 and 40 follow on neatly from the remarks of the noble Baroness, Lady Hayman. As I mentioned at Second Reading, there is no doubt that the gene editing…14 Dec 2022HANSARDGenetic Technology (Precision Breeding) BillThe comment I would make is that I am asking for long-term surveillance of the results of gene editing, in the same way that we should have had long-term surveillance of the…14 Dec 2022HANSARDGenetic Technology (Precision Breeding) BillMy Lords, after much thought, I am afraid I am a reluctant opposer of these amendments. I understand the need for transparency with the consumer—and the answer to the noble…14 Dec 2022HANSARDGenetic Technology (Precision Breeding) BillMy Lords, surely the whole point of this Bill is to speed up the process of bringing into being the plants and animals that the world really needs, as a matter of some urgency, to…12 Dec 2022HANSARDGenetic Technology (Precision Breeding) BillMy Lords, I realise that these are mostly probing amendments and, as ever, we await the Minister’s remarks with bated breath. But I cannot let the proposal to exclude all animals…12 Dec 2022HANSARDGenetic Technology (Precision Breeding) BillMy Lords, I support Amendment 31. First, for the purposes of this Committee, I declare my interests: I am still involved in a family farming enterprise, growing crops and rearing…12 Dec 2022HANSARDGenetic Technology (Precision Breeding) BillMy Lords, it is a great honour to follow the noble Lord, Lord Lilley. I do not suppose anyone in this House will be surprised to know that I support the Bill and everything it is…21 Nov 2022HANSARDFarmersMy Lords, given the current reluctance of farmers to alter their normal cropping to pick up on ELMS, would it not be a good idea for the Government to find a way to sponsor…08 Jun 2022HANSARDQueen’s SpeechMy Lords, like others, I look forward to the maiden speech of the right reverend Prelate the Bishop of Guildford, which follows this speech. Like the right reverend Prelate the…11 May 2022HANSARDEnvironment BillMy Lords, it appears that there has been some sort of rapprochement—albeit, I suspect, reluctant. On the one hand are us, from all sides of the House of Lords, who wish to see a…09 Nov 2021