Contributions
1,459 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDPeatlands: Commercial ExploitationMy Lords, being a farmer as well as an amateur gardener, I say that manure by itself would be a little too rich for some of the seedlings which we all need to prosper, but my…09 Sept 2019HANSARDPeatlands: Commercial ExploitationMy Lords, I sympathise with all that the noble Lord has said. That is why we are working on recovery plans. Amateur gardeners account for two-thirds of the peat being used. We…09 Sept 2019HANSARDCharities: Plastic Bag ChargesMy Lords, from the very outset, this was for businesses, and all businesses—taking away their business costs—were encouraged to donate to good causes. As I say, significant sums…09 Sept 2019HANSARDCharities: Plastic Bag ChargesThe magnitude and quantum of the number of businesses that will be involved in England will, as I think everyone would agree, be much more significant. As I have said, we are…09 Sept 2019HANSARDCharities: Plastic Bag ChargesMy Lords, I have looked into this very thoroughly and I understand concerns about the time is it taking, but we are required under the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment…09 Sept 2019HANSARDPeatlands: Commercial ExploitationMy Lords, we have taken action to tackle domestic extraction of peat. The National Planning Policy Framework , published in 2012, ended the granting of new licences for peat…09 Sept 2019HANSARDBrexit: Food StandardsMy Lords, particularly with animal welfare and agriculture, legal requirements that prevent the import of certain animal products will continue. Indeed, that is justified under…04 Sept 2019HANSARDBrexit: Food StandardsI know what the noble Lord is referring to. Indeed, in my letter to him of 8 May, I made very clear the distinction between all the elements we are bringing over on sanitary…04 Sept 2019HANSARDBrexit: Food StandardsMy Lords, obviously, as policy develops in future Parliaments and so forth, it will be very important, indeed essential, to look at labelling. We want, and it is our duty, to make…04 Sept 2019HANSARDBrexit: Food StandardsMy Lords, the first part of my noble friend’s question might be above my pay grade, but I am absolutely clear—this is government policy—that all the requirements we are taking…04 Sept 2019HANSARDBrexit: Food StandardsMy Lords, perhaps I am the one who is confused. I have made it absolutely clear that all the EU import requirements will remain, irrespective of the tariff regime. The noble Lord…04 Sept 2019HANSARDBrexit: Food StandardsMy Lords, as I referred to briefly in my opening remarks, we will retain all current UK import requirements. Existing UK import standards will apply. The level of a tariff does…04 Sept 2019HANSARDBrexit: Food StandardsMy Lords, I declare my farming interests as set out in the register. This country has high food safety standards, and these will continue. We will remain global leaders in…04 Sept 2019HANSARDWild Animals in Circuses (No. 2) BillMy Lords, in moving that the Bill do now pass I wish to express my gratitude to all noble Lords for their interest in the Bill and for their thoughtful—and sometimes…23 Jul 2019HANSARDWild Animals in Circuses (No. 2) BillThat the Bill do now pass.23 Jul 2019HANSARDTextiles and Clothing Sectors: Environmental SustainabilityMy Lords, we are working with WRAP and the industry through the Sustainable Clothing Action Plan to reduce the industry’s carbon emissions, water usage and waste. Recently we…22 Jul 2019HANSARDTextiles and Clothing Sectors: Environmental SustainabilityMy Lords, we must work to ensure that the worst of the waste hierarchy, landfill, is not where our clothes go. I have to say that it cannot be many years ago that the noble…22 Jul 2019HANSARDBiodiversity Duty: Public AuthoritiesMy Lords, that is why we are working not only with Natural England but with local authorities. In terms of the biodiversity net gain proposals, the developer and the local…22 Jul 2019HANSARDTextiles and Clothing Sectors: Environmental SustainabilityI would be honoured and intrigued to meet the noble Baroness with whoever she suggests. The reason I say this is that science and innovation will help us enormously—investment in…22 Jul 2019HANSARDTextiles and Clothing Sectors: Environmental SustainabilityMy Lords, whatever happens with our arrangements, we should have the ambition in this country to be absolutely world-leading. We were the creators of the Industrial Revolution; we…22 Jul 2019