Contributions
364 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDAgriculture (Delinked Payments) (Reductions) (England) Regulations 2026My Lords, it has been a pleasure to hear the final contributions of departing noble Lords who have been such stalwart supporters of the rural economy. It is a huge loss both to…27 Apr 2026HANSARDAgriculture (Delinked Payments) (Reductions) (England) Regulations 2026My Lords, I first draw the House’s attention to my registered interests as a farmer and landowner who is also in receipt of delinked and other government payments. I am very…27 Apr 2026HANSARDAgriculture (Delinked Payments) (Reductions) (England) Regulations 2026At end insert “, but this House regrets that the draft Regulations will likely result in further financial difficulties for farmers, who have not had enough time to plan for them…27 Apr 2026HANSARDControl of Trade in Endangered Species (Amendment and Revocation) Regulations 2026My Lords, I thank the Minister for bringing this SI forward. This is a complex and wide-ranging area. It is about protecting our country’s health as much as it is about animal…27 Apr 2026HANSARDSustainable Farming Incentive: Flood Prevention and Drought ResilienceMy Lords, I refer the House to my interests in the register as a farmer and landowner. The Government have stated that each farm can have only one SFI agreement, even if that…23 Apr 2026HANSARDPlastic Pollution ReductionMy Lords, our country is reliant on exporting plastic waste, yet it has been reported that 21 plastic recycling and processing factories across the UK have closed down in the past…22 Apr 2026HANSARDFarming Road MapMy Lords, the overwhelming majority of our farm output is sold at prices determined by international markets, which are out of government control. This Government have layered on…16 Apr 2026HANSARDMarine Protected Areas: Bottom TrawlingMy Lords, this Government’s agreement with the EU last year surrendered around 40% of UK fishing rights to our European neighbours for the next 12 years. Just 10 EU vessels…15 Apr 2026HANSARDConservation of Habitats and Species (Offshore Wind) (Amendment etc.) Regulations 2026My Lords, I also thank the Minister for introducing the draft conservation of habitats and species regulations today and I share many of the concerns laid out by the noble…13 Apr 2026HANSARDTrail-huntingMy Lords, our rural police forces are already overstretched, and banning a harmless country pursuit will simply stretch them further and alienate them from the community they…18 Mar 2026HANSARDSustainable Farming Incentive: Small FarmsThe new SFIs offer some reduced payment rates per acre and remove management payments—winter bird food falls by 24% and herbal leys by 41%. SFIs require substantial expenditure by…11 Mar 2026HANSARDPFASMy Lords, we are concerned that the plan promises high-level actions without clear timelines for phase-outs or mechanisms for delivery. In addition, companies need sufficient time…05 Mar 2026HANSARDBritish Farming: CompetitivenessMy Lords, the Government have said that they do not expect the EU–Mercosur trade deal to impact UK food production, supply or security, or indeed UK imports of agricultural…03 Mar 2026HANSARDForest-Risk CommoditiesMy Lords, while it is right to take steps to protect forests overseas, I point out that Brazil and Indonesia, for example, have 50% forest cover, versus only 13% here. These…02 Mar 2026HANSARDGlobal Biodiversity Loss and National SecurityMy Lords, the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures aims to bring nature into the core of business and financial decision-making, recognising that the health of our…23 Feb 2026HANSARDWater Companies: FinesMy Lords, to follow my noble friend’s question, the Government have announced that water company fines will help fund environmental restoration, including 100,000 new trees. To…29 Jan 2026HANSARDYorkshire: Sustainable Water Management SolutionsMy Lords, following on from the question from the noble Baroness, Lady Boycott, the Forestry Commission and the Woodland Trust have produced excellent research on the…28 Jan 2026HANSARDMeat LabellingMy Lords, data from the Food Standards Agency revealed that in the last decade 27% of inspections of slaughterhouses permitted to perform religious non-stun slaughter concluded…13 Jan 2026HANSARDIndependent Water CommissionThe Cunliffe report highlighted eroded trust in water industry regulators among stakeholders and has recommended a new integrated regulator. Can the Minister confirm that this new…12 Jan 2026HANSARDFlooding InterventionsMy Lords, the Environmental Audit Committee’s fourth report on flood resilience in England in October 2025 highlighted that Defra’s flood budget is increasingly a thin blue line…06 Jan 2026