Contributions
852 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDImported Agricultural GoodsAs I have said, we will ensure that all food coming into this country meets our high sanitary and phytosanitary standards and our high standards of food safety. We will not under…06 Feb 2020HANSARDImported Agricultural GoodsI have discussed that with the National Farmers Union, and there is real merit in its proposal. We continue to consider it, but I can assure my hon. Friend and the House that,…06 Feb 2020HANSARDImported Agricultural GoodsI can; this House will be involved in scrutiny of our trade negotiations, and I look forward to having those debates with hon. Members.06 Feb 2020HANSARDImported Agricultural GoodsAs the hon. Gentleman will be aware, the Government are clear that we are seeking a free trade agreement with the European Union without tariffs. The Prime Minister and his team…06 Feb 2020HANSARDTree PlantingOur manifesto commits us to increase tree planting to a rate of 30,000 hectares a year by 2025 across the UK. Our £640 million nature for climate fund will help us to deliver a…06 Feb 2020HANSARDTree PlantingMy hon. Friend makes a good point about setting appropriate targets. We plan to work closely with local authorities as we drive forward with our commitment to plant more trees.…06 Feb 2020HANSARDTree PlantingI welcome my hon. Friend’s ambition for tree planting in his local area. As I have said, changes to the planning system should incentivise investment in tree planting and nature.…06 Feb 2020HANSARDTree PlantingI do congratulate them; it sounds like a wonderful effort. Our Environment Bill provides for local nature recovery strategies that are led by the local authority, but which I very…06 Feb 2020HANSARDTree PlantingWhere I would agree with the shadow Minister is that we do need massively to step up our tree planting in this country, and that is what we are determined to do, particularly by…06 Feb 2020HANSARDTree PlantingThat is a very interesting idea. I hope that the process of local nature recovery strategies that we are establishing under the Environment Bill will embrace the kind of idea that…06 Feb 2020HANSARDTopical QuestionsAs I have said, in our trade negotiations we will ensure that the outcome works for farmers and for the nation as a whole. We will defend our standards in future trade…06 Feb 2020HANSARDTopical QuestionsIn recent weeks, DEFRA has been driving forward the biggest programme of legislation in Whitehall. That includes publication of our landmark Environment Bill, to introduce a new…06 Feb 2020HANSARDTopical QuestionsYes, I do.06 Feb 2020HANSARDTopical QuestionsI very much agree. I pay tribute to the huge efforts made in the dairy sector to become more efficient and more sustainable. I know that those in the sector have further plans…06 Feb 2020HANSARDTopical QuestionsI will, indeed. Our departure from the European Union gives us the opportunity to introduce a new farming policy—a new system of farm support—that has sustainability and the…06 Feb 2020HANSARDTopical QuestionsWe have a strong focus on these matters. The measures we will be bringing forward in the Environment Bill will help us to set challenging and demanding targets on those issues.…06 Feb 2020HANSARDTopical QuestionsWe do want to see an end to live exports, and we will soon be consulting on measures to improve the welfare of live animals in transport. We hope that ultimately the effect of…06 Feb 2020HANSARDTopical QuestionsI am certainly happy to look into that case and come back to the hon. Member.06 Feb 2020HANSARD Agriculture BillI will come to those later in my remarks, but as my right hon. Friend acknowledged, an important part of the Bill is introducing greater transparency in the supply chain, so that…03 Feb 2020HANSARD Agriculture BillThe Bill enables us to provide financial assistance for environmentally friendly farming practices. Providing more space for biodiversity, trees and nature will, I hope, be at the…03 Feb 2020