Contributions
1,009 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD Farming and Food SecurityI thank the hon. Lady for her intervention and can reassure her that I have had multiple conversations with the Welsh Deputy First Minister, who is also the Environment Minister…08 Oct 2024HANSARD Farming and Food SecurityThe hon. Lady has made that point to me before, and I reassure her that, even at their most ambitious extent, solar farms would not cover more than 1% of agricultural land. For…08 Oct 2024HANSARD Farming and Food SecurityAs always, my hon. Friend makes an important point very eloquently. During the election campaign, I spoke to farmers up and down the country—as I did before that and have done…08 Oct 2024HANSARD Farming and Food SecurityI understand the hon. Member’s point and the importance of intergenerational farming, but he will understand that I cannot anticipate the outcome of the Budget process.08 Oct 2024HANSARD Farming and Food SecurityThe environmental land management schemes are taking the right approach, but they need to work better for all farmers. Too many farmers feel that they cannot access them or do not…08 Oct 2024HANSARD Farming and Food SecurityI will now make a little progress. I have taken quite a few interventions, and other Members want to speak. Our new deal for farmers will boost Britain’s food security, protect…08 Oct 2024HANSARD Farming and Food SecurityI had the pleasure of visiting my hon. Friend’s constituency and a farm there during the election campaign, and I thoroughly recognise the point that he raises. It is a little…08 Oct 2024HANSARD Farming and Food SecurityI am very pleased to say that I have already had two meetings with the Northern Ireland Environment Minister to talk about how we can co-operate better to support farmers in…08 Oct 2024HANSARD Farming and Food SecurityIt is regrettable that this Government inherited from the previous Government flood defences in the worst condition ever recorded. Of course I recognise that farmers need support,…08 Oct 2024HANSARD Farming and Food SecurityI recognise the point the hon. Gentleman is making and thank him for his intervention. I will comment later in my speech on further support that we would wish to offer tenant…08 Oct 2024HANSARD Farming and Food SecurityI welcome the opportunity to restate this Government’s support for farmers, who produce the food that feeds the nation and protect our beautiful countryside. Farmers are the…08 Oct 2024HANSARD Farming and Food SecurityI am grateful to the right hon. Member for his intervention and for the representations that he has made to me personally on this issue. I know that he feels passionately about it…08 Oct 2024HANSARDTopical QuestionsI am happy to ensure that the relevant Minister meets my hon. Friend to discuss the issue. However, the APHA and other authorities are doing a good job right now of containing a…12 Sept 2024HANSARDAgricultural Sector: InnovationFirst, I add my congratulations to the Speaker’s Chaplain on her distinguished tenure, and to Terry Wiggins, who has been here much longer than all of us. I thank the right hon.…12 Sept 2024HANSARDAgricultural Sector: InnovationI share the right hon. Member’s interest in the need for effective regulation. I will soon make an announcement about our intentions to review regulation to ensure that it is fit…12 Sept 2024HANSARDWater Pollution: AccountabilityI welcome my outstanding former employee to her place in the Chamber, and thank her for her question. After 14 years of Conservative failure, the public are furious at the levels…12 Sept 2024HANSARDWater Pollution: AccountabilityI congratulate my hon. Friend on being such a champion for waterways in and around her constituency. Toxic pollution of canals or, indeed, any other waterway is disgraceful and…12 Sept 2024HANSARDWater Pollution: AccountabilityI congratulate the hon. Member on winning her seat in the general election and taking her place. I will certainly make sure that the relevant Minister is able to meet her to…12 Sept 2024HANSARDWater Pollution: AccountabilityI will be announcing later this autumn—in just a few weeks’ time—a review of the entire water sector, including regulation. In particular, I want to make sure that regulation is…12 Sept 2024HANSARDWater Pollution: AccountabilityI withdraw that comment. Perhaps I should have said that the shadow Minister could have been more open and transparent. [Interruption.]12 Sept 2024