Many constituents have contacted me about support for farmers in the Agriculture Bill. I have carefully considered these points regarding this important piece of legislation and had a detailed discussion with the minister.
It is important to remember that this is a bill about agriculture, rather than trade. It is designed to ensure British farmers receive the payments to which they are entitled and that a framework is set for British agriculture in the coming years.
Farming generates £112 billion a year in the UK, and our farmers help protect and enhance our natural habitat with their stewardship of the land. I am therefore pleased that the Government has guaranteed the current annual budget in every year of the new Parliament, giving farmers certainty and clarity on future funding.
The Agriculture Bill will allow us to introduce ambitious new land management schemes in England, based on the principle of “public money for public goods”, so that we can reward farmers and land managers who protect our environment, improve animal welfare and produce high quality food in a more sustainable way. The Bill will also help farmers to stay competitive, with measures to increase productivity and invest in new technology. We will also improve transparency in the supply chain to help food producers strengthen their position at the farm gate and seek a fairer return from the marketplace.
Trade Negotiations
The Government’s manifesto was clear that in all of our trade negotiations, we will not compromise on our high environmental protection, animal welfare and food standards.
All food coming into the country will continue to be required to meet existing import requirements. At the end of the transition period, the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 will convert onto the UK statute book all EU food safety, animal welfare, and environmental standards. This includes the prohibition of the use of artificial growth hormones in both domestic production and imported products. It also remains the case that no products, other than potable water, are approved in the UK to decontaminate poultry carcasses. Any changes to existing legislative standards would require new legislation to be brought before Parliament.
We are proud of the UK’s world-leading food, health and animal welfare standards. We will not compromise on our standards nor put the UK’s biosecurity at risk as we negotiate new trade deals. Any future trade agreements must work for consumers, farmers, and businesses in the UK – including by creating new opportunities in the agricultural sector and by removing or reducing barriers to trade for the export of UK produce. We will drive a hard bargain and, as with all negotiations, we will be prepared to walk away if that is in the national interest.
The Environment
Many farmers in my constituency and across the country are doing great work to benefit wildlife and, now that we have left the European Union, the UK has the chance to tailor its agriculture policy to encourage this further. I saw an excellent example of this work when I visited a dairy farm in my constituency which planted flowers to encourage bees and other pollinators, thus helping the natural environment. I welcome the powers in the Agriculture Bill that will allow the Government to give payments for environmental protection, public access to the countryside and measures to safeguard livestock and plants.
Land managers in receipt of direct payments are also required to protect hedgerows on their land. Through agri-environment schemes, such as Countryside Stewardship, their valuable role is recognised, funding the management of hedgerows to deliver recognised benefits for wildlife, landscape and the historic environment.
I am pleased that the Agriculture Bill will allow the next generation of farmers and land managers to receive public money for public goods, supporting those in the agriculture sector, and benefiting our country as a whole.