Contributions
1,459 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDFruit and Vegetable HarvestThe Pick for Britain website and all that we are doing there is designed precisely to ensure that the point of the noble Baroness’s last question does not take place. We are clear…30 Apr 2020HANSARDFruit and Vegetable HarvestThe noble Lord is right that more needs to be done. We do not eat enough fruit and vegetables but, at the same time, the Pick for Britain initiative—and I think we will find much…30 Apr 2020HANSARDFruit and Vegetable HarvestIt is important that we advance technology to bring about improvements and more sustainable production. The government-funded transforming food production initiative and…30 Apr 2020HANSARDFruit and Vegetable HarvestMy Lords, that is precisely why we have launched Pick for Britain and the DWP Find a Job website. This will be escalated. We think that currently, there is sufficient labour on…30 Apr 2020HANSARDFruit and Vegetable HarvestI have asked about the situation in Northern Ireland and DAERA has said that it will look for its own local solutions. Clearly, we want to work with the devolved Administrations.…30 Apr 2020HANSARDFruit and Vegetable HarvestMy Lords, there is going to be a more fulsome public-facing launch of the campaign to highlight the roles available from late May onwards and to encourage people to apply.…30 Apr 2020HANSARDFruit and Vegetable HarvestMy Lords, I declare my farming interests as set out in the register. We are mobilising a British workforce to help farmers. The Pick for Britain website is a recently launched…30 Apr 2020HANSARDGarden CentresI understand what the noble Lord says. That is why I am working very closely with the Horticultural Trades Association. I am particularly conscious of the bedding plant issue at…29 Apr 2020HANSARDGarden CentresMy Lords, with a name like mine, of course I understand the importance of garden centres and horticulture. As I said, we are working very closely with James Barnes, the chairman…29 Apr 2020HANSARDGarden CentresI say to the noble Baroness that that will be part of the review process, and it has been helpful for me to have the contributions of noble Lords.29 Apr 2020HANSARDGarden CentresMy Lords, the Government are acutely aware of the challenges facing garden centres and the horticultural industry. In addition to the financial package of government support, we…29 Apr 2020HANSARDGarden CentresI thank the noble Baroness. Obviously, we want to keep this under particular review. I am very sympathetic to all the points that noble Lords have made, which is why I am working…29 Apr 2020HANSARDGarden CentresMy Lords, I am most grateful to the noble Duke. As Minister for Rural Affairs, I will take that back as part of our discussion. In dealing with the health crisis, we will see what…29 Apr 2020HANSARDGarden CentresI understand what the noble Baroness is saying. That is why, as I said, I have been very keen to address this, and why we have presented the traders’ protocol on social distancing…29 Apr 2020HANSARDGarden CentresMy Lords, as Minister for biosecurity, I am very conscious of the importance of home-grown plants and trees. We need to plant the right trees in the right places. That is why I am…29 Apr 2020HANSARDGarden CentresAs I said, this is subject to the five tests that the Government have set in terms of dealing with the health crisis. I have been working on ensuring with the HTA that, when it is…29 Apr 2020HANSARDAgriculture: Dairy PricesI understand what the noble Baroness is saying, and it is why we are working with the banks on this part of the dairy sector in particular. In fact, Defra has had priority…28 Apr 2020HANSARDAgriculture: Dairy PricesMy Lords, that is a very helpful suggestion. From the calls that I have been having with the Secretary of State and retailers it is clear that a lot of work is going on. One of…28 Apr 2020HANSARDAgriculture: Dairy PricesMy Lords, I very much hope in the fullest extent that I will be answering a Question on garden centres tomorrow. I am of course sympathetic to the interests of the horticultural…28 Apr 2020HANSARDAgriculture: Dairy PricesMy Lords, it is very important for me to say that the easement of competition law for the dairy sector—a statutory instrument, which is widely supported by the devolved…28 Apr 2020