0:00:00 > 0:00:17Easter. We will keep you updated on that.
0:00:17 > 0:00:20Order, order. Questions to the Secretary of State for environment,
0:00:20 > 0:00:30food and growth areas. -- environment, food and rural affairs.
0:00:30 > 0:00:33Mr Speaker, as you're aware, my right honourable friend the
0:00:33 > 0:00:37Secretary of State is in US for departmental business representing
0:00:37 > 0:00:41UK interests. I know he has written to you regarding to this antique
0:00:41 > 0:00:49centres apologies to the house. Mr Speaker, last week, the Government
0:00:49 > 0:00:55launched a paper outlining a series of proposals to help invest in funds
0:00:55 > 0:00:59and help them become more profitable, create new entrants into
0:00:59 > 0:01:05the agriculture industry and encourage research and development.
0:01:05 > 0:01:19-- invested forms. -- invested in farms.What I want to say to the
0:01:19 > 0:01:23ministers are very much welcome the paper and it talks about having a
0:01:23 > 0:01:27greener environment and a better environment for the future. But will
0:01:27 > 0:01:31he also agree with me that part of the agricultural paper must have the
0:01:31 > 0:01:34means of production and good quality production and being able to
0:01:34 > 0:01:37actually increase our food that we can grow in this country rather than
0:01:37 > 0:01:43decrease it as we go forward with the new British agricultural policy?
0:01:43 > 0:01:47I agree with the point of my honourable friend raises. He and I
0:01:47 > 0:01:51both have a background in the farming industry, we recognise the
0:01:51 > 0:01:54importance of this strategically vital industry for a country. He
0:01:54 > 0:01:59will know we have a manifesto commitment to grow our agricultural
0:01:59 > 0:02:05industry and produce more food and consultation outlines a number of
0:02:05 > 0:02:07proposals including improving productivity and improve research
0:02:07 > 0:02:15and development.When will a decision be made on the
0:02:15 > 0:02:18reintroduction of the seasonal workers scheme so that crops don't
0:02:18 > 0:02:24rot in the ground this summer?The honourable gentleman will be aware
0:02:24 > 0:02:30that this is an issue on which the Home Office lead. We do have regular
0:02:30 > 0:02:34discussions with Home Office colleagues on these matters and we
0:02:34 > 0:02:40do feeding. The feedback we're getting from this industry on this
0:02:40 > 0:02:48matter. I made clear we are looking closely at the area of the seasonal
0:02:48 > 0:02:56agricultural workers scheme after we leave the European Union.Most of
0:02:56 > 0:03:02the food produced in my constituency is reliant on supplies of fish. Can
0:03:02 > 0:03:06we have an assurance that the fish and history will not be sold out in
0:03:06 > 0:03:12these negotiations as they were in the 1970s? -- the fish industry.We
0:03:12 > 0:03:15have been clear that when we leave the EU we leave the Common fisheries
0:03:15 > 0:03:19policy, which means that under international law, the conventional
0:03:19 > 0:03:24law of the sea, we would come an independent coastal state and we
0:03:24 > 0:03:26both managed fisheries resources in our exclusive economic zone and
0:03:26 > 0:03:33manage access to our own waters.Chi ask how to ensure that farm
0:03:33 > 0:03:38subsidies after Brexit will remain targeted at full production? -- can
0:03:38 > 0:03:43I ask how to ensure?We will maintain the total spending we have
0:03:43 > 0:03:47on agriculture and the farmed environment until 2022 and we have
0:03:47 > 0:03:50also been clear, and our paper asserts itself, there will be a
0:03:50 > 0:03:55transitional period as we move from an incoherent system of area
0:03:55 > 0:03:59payments that we have now to one that is focused on the delivery of
0:03:59 > 0:04:02public good. We recognise there will need to be a gradual transition from
0:04:02 > 0:04:07the old system to the new.The Common Agricultural Policy has been
0:04:07 > 0:04:11a disaster for the British dairy industry because it was designed in
0:04:11 > 0:04:14interests of French farmers, not British farmers. How can we put this
0:04:14 > 0:04:19right after Brexit?My honourable friend makes an important point. The
0:04:19 > 0:04:27Common Agricultural Policy has all sorts of inconsistencies. Having a
0:04:27 > 0:04:31one size fits all agricultural policy for the whole EU makes no
0:04:31 > 0:04:35sense, and taking back control of these matters, we will have the
0:04:35 > 0:04:37freedom to design and agricultural policy that works for our own
0:04:37 > 0:04:45farmers.Can I say first how relieved I am that the member made
0:04:45 > 0:04:50it here today to ask this important question! But when the Secretary of
0:04:50 > 0:04:54State looks at how best to support food producers, he should be aware
0:04:54 > 0:05:01that deaf's own figures show that 64% of farmers earn less than
0:05:01 > 0:05:08£10,000 per year. -- Defra's own figures. Recent figures also show
0:05:08 > 0:05:13that farmers receive less than 10% of the value of their produce sold
0:05:13 > 0:05:16in supermarkets. Can they Secretary of State or the minister today tell
0:05:16 > 0:05:19me please what he's doing to tackle this clearly inequitable and
0:05:19 > 0:05:26unsustainable situation.I think the honourable lady makes an important
0:05:26 > 0:05:31point, which is that if we want to move to a position where farmers are
0:05:31 > 0:05:36no longer dependent on subsidies, it is important we support them to come
0:05:36 > 0:05:38together collaboratively and strengthen their position in the
0:05:38 > 0:05:42supply chain to get a fairer price for the food they produce. We
0:05:42 > 0:05:45recently outlined a series of proposals to have a statutory code
0:05:45 > 0:05:49and airy and to have a statutory approach to carcass classification
0:05:49 > 0:05:52on sheep together with a range of other options. -- a statutory code
0:05:52 > 0:06:01on dairy.I've had a regular dialogue with ministers in the
0:06:01 > 0:06:07Department for business, energy and industrial strategy regarding the
0:06:07 > 0:06:10role of the adjudicator and we recently had a call for evidence on
0:06:10 > 0:06:14this matter. In response to that, we set out a range of measures to
0:06:14 > 0:06:18improve fairness in the supply chain and strengthen the position of
0:06:18 > 0:06:23farmers and small producers.I am the page chair of the trustees of
0:06:23 > 0:06:30the fair trade organisation tradecraft. We are the had high
0:06:30 > 0:06:38hopes for this to protect farmers from cancellations of unpaid orders,
0:06:38 > 0:06:42deduction of invoices. Minister started I think 18 months ago, there
0:06:42 > 0:06:47was the farming paper last month promised fairness in the supply
0:06:47 > 0:06:50chain, but hopes were dashed with the announcement last month of no
0:06:50 > 0:06:53change for the remit of the adjudicator. Why are ministers
0:06:53 > 0:07:00failing to take action?I don't accept that there was no change, as
0:07:00 > 0:07:03I said a little earlier. We've announced a package of measures
0:07:03 > 0:07:07including a £10 million collaboration funds to help farmers
0:07:07 > 0:07:11and small producers come together, a compulsory milk contract legislation
0:07:11 > 0:07:16so that dairy farms are protected, a compulsory sheep carcass
0:07:16 > 0:07:20classification, commitments to making supply chain data easy to
0:07:20 > 0:07:22access, to improve transparency and market integrity, and also a
0:07:22 > 0:07:29commitment to review whether more retailers should come under the
0:07:29 > 0:07:37remit of the GTA.I hear what the minister says, but given the vast
0:07:37 > 0:07:40majority of producers and consumers are keen to strengthen the grocery
0:07:40 > 0:07:44code adjudicator, why would you do it? We are happy to help on this
0:07:44 > 0:07:49site, if you just makes the move to save he is prepared to strengthen
0:07:49 > 0:07:55the code. -- why won't he do it?We found a lot of the evidence was in
0:07:55 > 0:07:59particularly vulnerable sectors like dairy and some of the other
0:07:59 > 0:08:02livestock sectors who often end up becoming prize takers because they
0:08:02 > 0:08:06don't have sufficient strength to deal with large processors. It is
0:08:06 > 0:08:09less an issue of the supermarkets, more an issue of those processors.
0:08:09 > 0:08:14And we decided a better way to take this forward is to introduce other
0:08:14 > 0:08:22statutory codes that target the problem rather than change the GCA.
0:08:22 > 0:08:26With your permission, I wish to grip the following questions, four, six
0:08:26 > 0:08:32and 13. An independent working group was set up as part of the strategy
0:08:32 > 0:08:41for England to hold a call for evidence on promoting recycling,
0:08:41 > 0:08:43which received evidence on the impact of deposit returns games.
0:08:43 > 0:08:48I've recently received a report and considering their recommendations.
0:08:48 > 0:08:52We know that 15 million plastic bottles at a panel of recycled in
0:08:52 > 0:08:56this country. We also know a deposit returns game can increase recycling.
0:08:56 > 0:09:02Can I ask the Government, help their going to introduce this scheme after
0:09:02 > 0:09:06this report -- I hope they're going to, but can ask if they will
0:09:06 > 0:09:11introduce a scheme that will take all containers of all sizes, not
0:09:11 > 0:09:20just on the go from kiosks unbending shoes?Part of the evidence that was
0:09:20 > 0:09:26submitted included that councils offer combines of recycling --
0:09:26 > 0:09:29suggested that councils offer combines of recycling service at the
0:09:29 > 0:09:33kerb-side. But I would say we need stickers and this approach
0:09:33 > 0:09:36carefully. There is an appetite to have such duress but the skins we
0:09:36 > 0:09:42are seen in other parts of Europe are very different and we need one
0:09:42 > 0:09:48that will work for this country. -- there is an appetite have such a DRS
0:09:48 > 0:09:54but the schemes we have seen.In many places the streets and indeed
0:09:54 > 0:10:01lives are inundated with a flood of bottles, bags, food packets, crisp
0:10:01 > 0:10:05packets, turning environment into a dumping ground. Will the Minister
0:10:05 > 0:10:07take action urgently and stopped nine local authorities like
0:10:07 > 0:10:12Newcastle City Council the powers and resources to tackle the problem?
0:10:12 > 0:10:15-- stop denying local authorities. Franco, and this problem, the
0:10:15 > 0:10:21Government is rubbish. -- frankly, on this problem.I think this
0:10:21 > 0:10:25question was a complete waste of space. But the honourable lady
0:10:25 > 0:10:29refers to Paris, this Government has given councils the power saving
0:10:29 > 0:10:35asking for an order to tackle this. So I think she's being rather
0:10:35 > 0:10:40ungenerous in what progress is being made. In terms of plastic, I would
0:10:40 > 0:10:45say, plastic does have a role in making sure we have safe packaging
0:10:45 > 0:10:55but it has become negative, and that is that we will consider carefully.
0:10:55 > 0:10:59In my constituency, we have litter picking groups, and we're seeing
0:10:59 > 0:11:06loads of areas where plastic bottles and glass bottles, bushy introduce a
0:11:06 > 0:11:11deposit returns game for a plastic and glass container so we can avoid
0:11:11 > 0:11:22this plague plastic? -- plastic and all other containers.People who
0:11:22 > 0:11:26tossed litter our litter louts. I reach a phrase, don't be a toss,
0:11:26 > 0:11:29because it does not help society to drop litter anywhere. Let us get
0:11:29 > 0:11:35real about how we need to tackle that. I commend the work that Keep
0:11:35 > 0:11:38Britain Tidy does in encouraging litter collections. However, the
0:11:38 > 0:11:41honourable lady is right we need to sort out the issue in the first
0:11:41 > 0:11:44place. This is why this day consider very carefully as part of our
0:11:44 > 0:11:50resources waste strategy.On International Women's Day, I would
0:11:50 > 0:11:54like to be a bit more consensual and asked the minister to put the
0:11:54 > 0:11:57campaign by female colleagues to give up plastics relent and the
0:11:57 > 0:12:00Church of England's initiative on practical suggestions for something
0:12:00 > 0:12:03we can do on every one of the 40 days. I would like to ask the
0:12:03 > 0:12:08minister she had given up something plastic from land, and will she join
0:12:08 > 0:12:11us in writing to manufacturers for whom there is no alternative to
0:12:11 > 0:12:22plastic to find a sustainable solution?
0:12:25 > 0:12:28Of course a Church Commissioner would call upon God and the Church
0:12:28 > 0:12:29of England to inspire us.
0:12:29 > 0:12:33I am also one of the people who has taken the pledge to try to give up
0:12:33 > 0:12:38something plastic for Lent.
0:12:38 > 0:12:43I pledged to carry a water bottle around in my handbag - I am not
0:12:43 > 0:12:46going to produce a prop, Mr Speaker - and I have had
0:12:46 > 0:12:49to sacrifice my Marmite in the Tea Room because it is only
0:12:49 > 0:12:50sold in plastic sachets.
0:12:50 > 0:12:52We are all looking forward to the proposals from Parliament,
0:12:52 > 0:12:53because this does matter.
0:12:53 > 0:12:56The campaigns on passing on plastic and giving up plastic for Lent
0:12:56 > 0:12:58are partly about behavioural change among consumers.
0:12:58 > 0:13:00I believe that companies are starting to respond
0:13:00 > 0:13:03and we are starting to see changes, but the more consumers demand this,
0:13:03 > 0:13:05the quicker action will happen in the marketplace.
0:13:05 > 0:13:07I assure the House that this Government will take action.
0:13:07 > 0:13:13A deposit return scheme is not just about raising recycling rates;
0:13:13 > 0:13:14it is also about educating and raising awareness
0:13:14 > 0:13:17among the public about the need to be responsible.
0:13:17 > 0:13:20In that vein, will the Minister join me in praising the many towns
0:13:20 > 0:13:21across Cornwall―Newquay, Falmouth, Penzance, Bude,
0:13:21 > 0:13:23and many others―that have declared their aims to become
0:13:23 > 0:13:24single-use plastic free?
0:13:24 > 0:13:27Does she agree that Cornwall is leading the way in raising
0:13:27 > 0:13:34awareness of this issue?
0:13:34 > 0:13:37As ever, my honourable friend is passionate about this
0:13:37 > 0:13:40cause; I know that he has been championing it.
0:13:40 > 0:13:42Of course I applaud those many towns and communities in Cornwall
0:13:42 > 0:13:51for wanting to do the right thing.
0:13:51 > 0:13:54In Ashbourne over the past four days, tens of thousands of plastic
0:13:54 > 0:13:56bottles of water have been handed out by Severn Trent
0:13:56 > 0:13:58because of its failure to reconnect the water supply.
0:13:58 > 0:14:01At the moment, the compensation level is £30 a day,
0:14:01 > 0:14:02which is woefully inadequate.
0:14:02 > 0:14:11Will she look at the specific case surrounding Ashbourne?
0:14:11 > 0:14:14As I announced to the House the other day, I have asked Ofwat
0:14:14 > 0:14:15to undertake a review.
0:14:15 > 0:14:17I have also encouraged water companies to improve
0:14:17 > 0:14:18the compensation that they could discretionally offer.
0:14:18 > 0:14:22I expect that Severn Trent is already responding
0:14:22 > 0:14:28to the call from my friend.
0:14:28 > 0:14:32It is the plastic particles we do not see that should be the biggest
0:14:32 > 0:14:38concern. A recent report found that in one metre of melted Arctic sea
0:14:38 > 0:14:43ice, there were hundreds of plastic articles. This is why we should take
0:14:43 > 0:14:49this urgently and it should be about how we do it, not if, if she is
0:14:49 > 0:14:53consulting on it.This Government has taken strong action on banning
0:14:53 > 0:15:02Michael plastics -- banning Micro plastics. One of the points he
0:15:02 > 0:15:07refers to is this is a global matter and that is why we work hard with
0:15:07 > 0:15:12other nations, through different forums, other agencies with the UN
0:15:12 > 0:15:21and our Commonwealth companies that we will be meeting with.Mr Speaker,
0:15:21 > 0:15:25our approach to future environment policy was set out in our published
0:15:25 > 0:15:3125 year environment plan. Our approach was published in our
0:15:31 > 0:15:35consultation last week and our approach to trade negotiations was
0:15:35 > 0:15:39outlined in a speech with the Prime Minister last week. All of these
0:15:39 > 0:15:43policies are being developed at the same time.I thank him for the
0:15:43 > 0:15:48answer but does he agree there should be a common framework for
0:15:48 > 0:15:50environmental standards across the whole of the United Kingdom after
0:15:50 > 0:15:59Brexit?Well, as the honourable lady will be aware, through the EU
0:15:59 > 0:16:03withdrawal well, we are putting through all of the EU legislation as
0:16:03 > 0:16:08it pertains to the environment. My right honourable friend also
0:16:08 > 0:16:13outlined plans for an environmental body and we are in discussion with
0:16:13 > 0:16:15the devolved administrations about their involvement and the UK
0:16:15 > 0:16:23framework in these matters.
0:16:23 > 0:16:25Park keeper or food producer― whatever the future for farming
0:16:25 > 0:16:27is going to be, does my hon.
0:16:27 > 0:16:29Friend agree that it must be possible to earn
0:16:29 > 0:16:39a living out of farming?
0:16:40 > 0:16:43I very much agree
0:16:43 > 0:16:45who has a lot of experience in these matters
0:16:45 > 0:16:46and an understanding of the industry.
0:16:46 > 0:16:47He is absolutely right.
0:16:47 > 0:16:51There will be parts of the country where some farmers choose to do more
0:16:51 > 0:16:53by way of delivering environmental outcomes, and in other
0:16:53 > 0:16:55parts they may focus more on food production.
0:16:55 > 0:16:57Either way, we want a vibrant, profitable farming industry
0:16:57 > 0:16:59across our country.
0:16:59 > 0:17:02In the Prime Minister s speech last Friday, she said that there would be
0:17:02 > 0:17:04no compromise on environmental standards and animal welfare
0:17:04 > 0:17:07standards, which was welcome.
0:17:07 > 0:17:10What guarantees can the Minister give to Welsh and UK farm producers
0:17:10 > 0:17:12that they will not be disadvantaged by lower-standard food
0:17:12 > 0:17:22entering the UK market following post-Brexit trade deals?
0:17:23 > 0:17:28Both my right honourable
0:17:28 > 0:17:31friend the Secretary of State and I have always been consistently
0:17:31 > 0:17:33clear that we will not lower our high animal welfare
0:17:33 > 0:17:36standards and high food standards in this country in pursuit
0:17:36 > 0:17:46of a trade deal.
0:17:52 > 0:17:56It shows what we are doing to reduce harmful pressures and those
0:17:56 > 0:18:03activities that affect the marine environment. Our fishermen are
0:18:03 > 0:18:10strong custodians of fishing environments and fishing grips in my
0:18:10 > 0:18:16constituency are looking forward to leaving the disastrous fishing
0:18:16 > 0:18:21policy. Leaving the European Union provides people in the UK with a sea
0:18:21 > 0:18:25of opportunity are part of that is protecting the marine environment so
0:18:25 > 0:18:26that it supports the
0:18:26 > 0:18:35fishing industry for many years to come.We will be leaving the common
0:18:35 > 0:18:38fisheries policy next year when we leave the European Union and this
0:18:38 > 0:18:44gives us the opportunity to manage the fisheries that we have.The
0:18:44 > 0:18:53final straw Solent is a group whose activity is reducing plastic. Will
0:18:53 > 0:18:59she join me in congratulating the work and improving the Marine
0:18:59 > 0:19:05environment?Thank you, Mr Speaker. I do commend the organisers of the
0:19:05 > 0:19:11final straw Solent. It matters we have local action. We need to have
0:19:11 > 0:19:15wider action to stop people from dropping their litter. We should
0:19:15 > 0:19:24also look across the other side of the Solent to Damon MacArthur --
0:19:24 > 0:19:28dame. She is a champion of the environment and doing a lot of work
0:19:28 > 0:19:39to make sure we have a reduction in plastics.What about coral?Well, Mr
0:19:39 > 0:19:45Speaker, not a lot of people know this but we do have some of the most
0:19:45 > 0:19:49spectacular coral reefs in the world in these islands. The art is
0:19:49 > 0:19:54protected feature of the Marine zone and the Scottish Government is also
0:19:54 > 0:20:00protecting coral. We have engaged with the initiatives and we are
0:20:00 > 0:20:03seeking ways to promote the importance at the meeting next
0:20:03 > 0:20:09month.Mr Speaker, may I ask her not to be too broke real on this, this
0:20:09 > 0:20:15is a global challenge and we have an association meeting coming up in
0:20:15 > 0:20:20London. Is it not about time her and her boss got there, made common
0:20:20 > 0:20:24cause, crossed the 52 nations to do something on a global scale that is
0:20:24 > 0:20:30meaningful?Well, Mr Speaker, there are now 53 Commonwealth nations
0:20:30 > 0:20:37since they joined last month. We are working with our Commonwealth
0:20:37 > 0:20:40nations to have an ambitious blue charger which will focus on the
0:20:40 > 0:20:48challenges he sets out.-- Charter. My honourable friend is right that
0:20:48 > 0:20:53the threats to our oceans are international, not national. It is
0:20:53 > 0:20:57good to take action on plastics locally but the threatening of coral
0:20:57 > 0:21:02reefs and plastic in the seed do call for international action. What
0:21:02 > 0:21:06leadership will this Government gives.I would like to think the
0:21:06 > 0:21:12United Kingdom is the reader on this issue is. As they said to the
0:21:12 > 0:21:15honourable gentleman, this is an international matter. That is why it
0:21:15 > 0:21:20recently I've been to the United States and Canada working with
0:21:20 > 0:21:24Canada as the presidency of the G-7 this year, we are working on this
0:21:24 > 0:21:29and this is the top of the agenda this Government.Thank you, Mr
0:21:29 > 0:21:35Speaker. The last question on the 25th of January I as the Secretary
0:21:35 > 0:21:43of State, giving all of the times, when is it going and when? For the
0:21:43 > 0:21:48people of the Western Isles and the south-west of England can enjoy the
0:21:48 > 0:21:52products of the fishing every day. I said, good dodge and she said, thank
0:21:52 > 0:21:57you. I wonder if we can get an answer. Given the times the UK
0:21:57 > 0:22:02Government say they will take from the European Union, when is it going
0:22:02 > 0:22:09and when?The Government is still seeking a trade deal in the future
0:22:09 > 0:22:13but he should also be aware of other countries like Norway and Iceland
0:22:13 > 0:22:17who are independent states, they have control of their waters and the
0:22:17 > 0:22:22annual negotiations for sheer stocks and we are part of that negotiation.
0:22:22 > 0:22:29-- sheared.Leaving the European Union provides UK to improve the
0:22:29 > 0:22:33profitability of the agriculture sector. In our document we set out
0:22:33 > 0:22:36an approach to support that objective and the other seeking the
0:22:36 > 0:22:41views of industry on a range of views to improve the competitiveness
0:22:41 > 0:22:46of the farming industry. Since it is International Women's Day, can I
0:22:46 > 0:22:48congratulate the first ever woman president of the National Farmer
0:22:48 > 0:22:57union.May I join him in that sentiment. Brexit is the greatest
0:22:57 > 0:23:01threat to Scottish farming. Given that Scotland has higher rates of
0:23:01 > 0:23:05capital funding and the types of farming that can take place in
0:23:05 > 0:23:08Scotland are very specific, will he commit here and now to be sure no
0:23:08 > 0:23:14subsidies are cut to Scotland after Brexit?The honourable lady will be
0:23:14 > 0:23:19aware that it is our intention that agricultural policy and the divine
0:23:19 > 0:23:22of individual schemes will very much be the matter for the devolved
0:23:22 > 0:23:29administration. I hope and look forward to the proposals from the
0:23:29 > 0:23:33Scottish Government. We have offered to share our proposals with them so
0:23:33 > 0:23:37they can learn from our analysis.I am proud that asparagus from my
0:23:37 > 0:23:46region has been given protected status. It helps used sales. We'll
0:23:46 > 0:23:55be stated still be recognised post Brexit?
0:23:55 > 0:23:57Vale of Evesham asparagus obviously has a fantastic reputation
0:23:57 > 0:23:59across our country and, indeed, around the world.
0:23:59 > 0:24:02On protected food names, our intention is that the existing
0:24:02 > 0:24:03legislation will come across through the
0:24:03 > 0:24:08European Union Bill.
0:24:08 > 0:24:09Third countries can already seek designations for the EU market,
0:24:09 > 0:24:12and the designations we already have in the UK will be protected
0:24:12 > 0:24:18through our domestic legislation.
0:24:18 > 0:24:23The Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
0:24:23 > 0:24:28is surprisingly shy and self-effacing this morning.
0:24:28 > 0:24:31We are unlikely to reach Question 12, so if the hon
0:24:31 > 0:24:34gentleman wants to favour the House with his thoughts on this question,
0:24:34 > 0:24:37which is not dissimilar to his own, he is welcome to do so.
0:24:37 > 0:24:38Thank you, Mr Speaker.
0:24:38 > 0:24:41One way to make small farms viable is to add value to their product.
0:24:41 > 0:24:47I was brought up on a small dairy farm, and my brother is now
0:24:47 > 0:24:49a successful cheesemaker, it is rather good cheese.
0:24:49 > 0:24:50Will the Minister undertake to instruct his officials
0:24:50 > 0:24:54to encourage small farms to go down this route and, as and when best
0:24:54 > 0:24:59practice is developed, will it be shared with the Scottish Government,
0:24:59 > 0:25:07because in my case this is, of course, a devolved matter?
0:25:07 > 0:25:09We recognise the importance of our small family farms,
0:25:09 > 0:25:12and we also recognise that some of them may face more
0:25:12 > 0:25:14challenges in a transition from the old system
0:25:14 > 0:25:16to the future one.
0:25:16 > 0:25:19In our paper, we set out detailed proposals on a gradual transition
0:25:19 > 0:25:22to give them time to prepare, and we also set out a number
0:25:22 > 0:25:25of measures to help to support productivity, add value and get
0:25:25 > 0:25:27a fairer price for their products.
0:25:27 > 0:25:30We would of course be more than happy to share our proposals
0:25:30 > 0:25:38with the Scottish Government.
0:25:38 > 0:25:45Shrubs are farmers are pleased with some of the mood music. --
0:25:45 > 0:25:53Shropshire. Will the Minister commit to come to the Shropshire short list
0:25:53 > 0:25:59your? One of his senior officials as well to continue that dialogue with
0:25:59 > 0:26:04the farmers?I thank my honourable friend for that invitation and I or
0:26:04 > 0:26:10another minister would be delighted to attend the show this year. It
0:26:10 > 0:26:19will be an important opportunity to engage with the industry. We are
0:26:19 > 0:26:23firmly committed to maintaining and improving our world leading animal
0:26:23 > 0:26:29welfare standards. Our paper sets out options as we are leaving the
0:26:29 > 0:26:31European Union, pilot schemes that deliver higher welfare outcomes. We
0:26:31 > 0:26:39are also reducing higher animal welfare for chicken, hens and pics.
0:26:39 > 0:26:43I thank the Minister for the answer. There are circumstances where
0:26:43 > 0:26:47somebody who has been charged with serious animal welfare licensed has
0:26:47 > 0:26:55been able to receive the new license, leading to cases of cruelty
0:26:55 > 0:27:00and neglect. Does the Minister agree that anyone charged with the most
0:27:00 > 0:27:06serious animal welfare offences should not be allowed to get new
0:27:06 > 0:27:10livestock. Will he meet with me and the council to discuss this matter?
0:27:10 > 0:27:16The animal welfare act gives courts the power to impose it as occasion
0:27:16 > 0:27:20order on anyone found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to
0:27:20 > 0:27:24animals. This can disqualify someone from winning and keeping animals
0:27:24 > 0:27:27themselves, but crucially from having any influence in the way an
0:27:27 > 0:27:31animal is kept. If someone is suspected of breaching the times,
0:27:31 > 0:27:35they should report the matter to the authorities. That is a difference
0:27:35 > 0:27:39which someone has been charged but not yet prosecuted. However, I would
0:27:39 > 0:27:42be happy to meet my honourable friend to discuss this matter
0:27:42 > 0:27:48further.The Minister will be aware of long-standing public health
0:27:48 > 0:27:52concerns about the routine overuse of antibiotics on UK farms. We now
0:27:52 > 0:27:58hear that an American farms, they are five times higher, especially in
0:27:58 > 0:28:01beef production. What conversations is he having with colleagues in the
0:28:01 > 0:28:09health Department Munich that opening the market to US -- meaning
0:28:09 > 0:28:12that opening the market does not mean we have health problems in this
0:28:12 > 0:28:16country?We have reduced the antibiotic use in agriculture in
0:28:16 > 0:28:21this country, notably in the portrait industry. We have been
0:28:21 > 0:28:27clear that we went to support approaches that will enable us to
0:28:27 > 0:28:34reduce and the optics further. As I said earlier, we will not compromise
0:28:34 > 0:28:36our food standards and animal welfare standards in pursuit of any
0:28:36 > 0:28:47trade deal.Mr Speaker, game is an important part of our heritage and
0:28:47 > 0:28:54it is a drop in menus and is served on many establishment.It was worth
0:28:54 > 0:29:00£9 million in 2016. We have no specific plans to promote the meat
0:29:00 > 0:29:05but we continue to raise the profile of UK food and drink overseas under
0:29:05 > 0:29:09the food is great campaign.I thank him for his response. You will be
0:29:09 > 0:29:15well aware that the game factors, there were some hundred and 14
0:29:15 > 0:29:20million. He will also be aware that the European market and France in
0:29:20 > 0:29:25particular, the market has fallen. Can I as a minister will he be
0:29:25 > 0:29:29prepared to look at introducing and promoting game across the far east
0:29:29 > 0:29:33and especially China, because there is a market that is crying out for
0:29:33 > 0:29:36game.
0:29:36 > 0:29:38I regularly take part in trade delegations with the UK Government,
0:29:38 > 0:29:52and a couple of years ago I attended the Anuga food conference
0:29:52 > 0:29:54in Cologne, where there was a producer and exporter
0:29:54 > 0:29:56of UK game meat.
0:29:56 > 0:29:58I am happy to meet the honourable
0:29:58 > 0:30:06gentleman and consider his proposals in this area.
0:30:06 > 0:30:09Since the last DEFRA questions, the Department has continued to work
0:30:09 > 0:30:12on plans for our departure from the European Union and we have
0:30:12 > 0:30:15published our Command Paper on future agricultural policy.
0:30:15 > 0:30:17We have laid legislation to introduce mandatory
0:30:17 > 0:30:19CCTV in slaughterhouses, taking forward our agenda
0:30:19 > 0:30:22to enhance animal welfare.
0:30:22 > 0:30:24Parliament has also recently debated and passed legislation to strengthen
0:30:24 > 0:30:32laws on combating litter.
0:30:32 > 0:30:37Remainers and leavers agree that one of the very worst
0:30:37 > 0:30:40aspects of our EU membership is the common fisheries policy.
0:30:40 > 0:30:43Can the Minister confirm that we are leaving it
0:30:43 > 0:30:45on 29 March next year, that the British fishing industry
0:30:45 > 0:30:48can be relaunched as a result, and that he will not trade
0:30:48 > 0:30:50away our newly re-won sovereignty over fishing in the interests
0:30:51 > 0:30:53of a wider trade deal?
0:30:53 > 0:30:57We have always been clear that when we leave the European Union,
0:30:57 > 0:30:59we leave the common fisheries policy and become an independent coastal
0:30:59 > 0:31:06state under international law.
0:31:06 > 0:31:08There are, of course, always annual negotiations―even
0:31:08 > 0:31:12for countries outside the EU―to agree an approach on the management
0:31:12 > 0:31:16of shared stocks, and we envisage that such meetings will continue.
0:31:16 > 0:31:19I can confirm that the UK Government's view is that there
0:31:19 > 0:31:21is a trade discussion to take place.
0:31:21 > 0:31:23We want a free trade agreement and a fisheries
0:31:23 > 0:31:25discussion to take place, and we want to take back
0:31:25 > 0:31:29control of our waters.
0:31:29 > 0:31:31Last week's freezing temperatures caused chaos
0:31:31 > 0:31:33to water supplies this week.
0:31:33 > 0:31:36Households in London were among those hardest hit,
0:31:36 > 0:31:38with customers widely reporting a systemic failure by Thames Water
0:31:38 > 0:31:41to comply with its legal obligation to provide ten litres of water
0:31:41 > 0:31:45per person for every day that a customer is disconnected.
0:31:45 > 0:31:48Will the Minister confirm that that was the case and, if so,
0:31:48 > 0:31:51when the Department was notified, as is the requirement?
0:31:51 > 0:31:53What actions does she intend to take against companies that fail
0:31:53 > 0:31:57to meet that obligation?
0:31:57 > 0:31:59As I said in my recent statement to the House,
0:31:59 > 0:32:05I have ordered Ofwat to undertake a review of what has been happening.
0:32:05 > 0:32:10I ?have asked for a report to be made available ― there might be
0:32:10 > 0:32:14an interim one by the end of this month ― and I will be
0:32:14 > 0:32:16able to update the honourable lady after that.
0:32:16 > 0:32:19I hope that we can ensure that water is getting to customers
0:32:19 > 0:32:22who are still without connected water supply this week.
0:32:22 > 0:32:24Given that executives at the top nine water and sewage companies
0:32:24 > 0:32:26in England earned a combined total of nearly £23 million in 2017
0:32:26 > 0:32:29and those companies have paid out £18.1 billion in dividends
0:32:29 > 0:32:31since 2006, but that Ofwat has already said that
0:32:31 > 0:32:33taking action on pay, dividends and tax structures is not
0:32:33 > 0:32:36in its current thinking, what is the Government's plan
0:32:36 > 0:32:38to rebalance executive pay with investment in infrastructure
0:32:38 > 0:32:42and resilience and to get a grip on our water companies if Ofwat has
0:32:42 > 0:32:44said it does not intend to do so?
0:32:44 > 0:32:48As we set out in our strategic policy statement to Ofwat,
0:32:48 > 0:32:50there is an expectation of the increased investment that
0:32:50 > 0:32:54needs to be made by the industry, and the price review is under way.
0:32:54 > 0:33:00Water companies will be coming out with their consultation,
0:33:00 > 0:33:02but when my right honourable friend the Secretary of State spoke
0:33:02 > 0:33:05to the water industry at Water UK a few weeks ago,
0:33:05 > 0:33:06he read it the riot act.
0:33:06 > 0:33:09He has said that he will give Ofwat whatever powers it needs
0:33:09 > 0:33:12so that the water companies will up their game.
0:33:12 > 0:33:15In my constituency, plastic debris is often washed up
0:33:15 > 0:33:16on the town's beach, harming the local ecosystem
0:33:17 > 0:33:20and damaging tourism.
0:33:20 > 0:33:21Does my honourable friend agree that reducing
0:33:21 > 0:33:23plastic waste is essential for the regeneration
0:33:23 > 0:33:25of Britain's seaside towns?
0:33:25 > 0:33:27Absolutely.
0:33:27 > 0:33:32As a child I lived in Formby, so I visited Southport many times.
0:33:32 > 0:33:35My honourable friend is right that
0:33:35 > 0:33:38plastic does not belong on the beach or in the sea.
0:33:38 > 0:33:41I commend the work that has been done, but he will be aware
0:33:41 > 0:33:43of our ongoing measures to reduce the amount of plastic entering
0:33:43 > 0:33:45the ocean and, therefore, being left on our beaches.
0:33:45 > 0:33:48The Committee on Toxicity is reviewing the most recent
0:33:48 > 0:33:51research on folic acid.
0:33:51 > 0:33:53If it advises the Government that the maximum recommended intake
0:33:53 > 0:33:55should be increased or abolished, will the Minister commit
0:33:55 > 0:33:59to following the scientific evidence, and successful practice
0:33:59 > 0:34:01in other countries, by amending bread and flour regulations
0:34:01 > 0:34:03to require the fortification of flour with folic acid,
0:34:03 > 0:34:08which reduces neural tube defects?
0:34:08 > 0:34:11The honourable lady will be aware that this issue
0:34:11 > 0:34:14is shared between the Department of Health and Social Care
0:34:14 > 0:34:17and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
0:34:17 > 0:34:20The former leads on folic acid and we lead on labelling issues.
0:34:20 > 0:34:23It is the case that there is a complexity in EU law.
0:34:23 > 0:34:25EU regulations now require that all products that have flour
0:34:25 > 0:34:26must include labelling.
0:34:26 > 0:34:29That creates burdensome problems for the industry,
0:34:29 > 0:34:33but if there is a recommendation, we will look at it sensibly.
0:34:33 > 0:34:36Once we leave the EU, we will have an opportunity to adopt
0:34:36 > 0:34:40a slightly different approach.
0:34:40 > 0:34:44What has the Minister done to stop our songbirds from being trapped
0:34:44 > 0:34:50and eaten in Cyprus?
0:34:50 > 0:34:52My right honourable friend raises a very
0:34:52 > 0:34:55important issue.
0:34:55 > 0:34:57We are part of an international convention on migratory species.
0:34:57 > 0:35:01Illegal trapping in Cyprus has been a long-running sore.
0:35:01 > 0:35:05I commend the Ministry of Defence, police and the Armed Forces
0:35:05 > 0:35:08at the sovereign base in Cyprus for working so hard
0:35:08 > 0:35:10to tackle this issue.
0:35:10 > 0:35:13The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds has shown that there has
0:35:13 > 0:35:21been a 70% fall in the amount of illegal poaching.
0:35:21 > 0:35:23I am so glad that the right honourable
0:35:23 > 0:35:24Gentleman does not represent a migratory species,
0:35:24 > 0:35:26and I doubt that proposition would be the subject
0:35:26 > 0:35:30of a Division of the House.
0:35:30 > 0:35:32In the light of the Secretary of State's warning to water
0:35:32 > 0:35:35companies to address public concerns on prices, is he aware of the nine
0:35:35 > 0:35:38water companies that are committed to the Keep Me Posted campaign
0:35:38 > 0:35:41to ensure that consumers have the right to choose paper
0:35:41 > 0:35:47bills and statements?
0:35:47 > 0:35:50Customers can choose to keep paper bills.
0:35:50 > 0:35:53Water companies, like many other companies, tend to offer a discount
0:35:53 > 0:35:58if people choose to switch to electronic communication,
0:35:58 > 0:36:01but I am sure that customers can take this matter up directly
0:36:01 > 0:36:04through the Consumer Council for Water if it is proving
0:36:04 > 0:36:07to be a problem.
0:36:07 > 0:36:11Earlier this week, thousands of my constituents had their water
0:36:11 > 0:36:16shut off by Southern Water due to poor winter preparedness.
0:36:16 > 0:36:19What discussions has the Department had with the water industry
0:36:19 > 0:36:22and Ofwat, the regulator, to ensure that this does not
0:36:22 > 0:36:28happen in future winters?
0:36:28 > 0:36:31Officials have been in regular touch with the water companies,
0:36:31 > 0:36:34and on Tuesday, I convened a meeting of water company chief executives,
0:36:34 > 0:36:40Ofwat and Water UK.
0:36:40 > 0:36:42As I announced to the House, I have asked Ofwat to undertake
0:36:42 > 0:36:49a review to look into the practices that happened.
0:36:49 > 0:36:59The Command Paper includes the line: "We will adopt a trade
0:37:00 > 0:37:02approach which promotes lower prices for consumers", which
0:37:02 > 0:37:04I find rather worrying.
0:37:04 > 0:37:07Is it not the case that food prices are already historically low?
0:37:07 > 0:37:09Lower prices will not do anything for British farmers.
0:37:09 > 0:37:11We need good-quality, affordable and healthy food,
0:37:11 > 0:37:13not a race to the bottom to get ever cheaper food.
0:37:13 > 0:37:16The point that we are making is that in the long term,
0:37:16 > 0:37:18there may be opportunities in certain sectors, particularly
0:37:18 > 0:37:21for food that we are unable to produce in this country,
0:37:21 > 0:37:22to have lower prices for certain products.
0:37:22 > 0:37:24However, the honourable lady makes an important point.
0:37:24 > 0:37:27Generally, we have low and stable food prices in this country,
0:37:27 > 0:37:29and countries that are fully dependent on importing
0:37:29 > 0:37:35all their food tend to have higher prices and less choice.
0:37:35 > 0:37:37Given the intention to use public money to promote
0:37:37 > 0:37:40public good, does my honourable
0:37:40 > 0:37:42friend agree that as well as rewarding farmers for looking
0:37:42 > 0:37:44after ?the environment, we should support growers
0:37:44 > 0:37:46who contribute to public health by growing healthy fruit
0:37:46 > 0:37:53and vegetables?
0:37:53 > 0:37:55My honourable friend makes a very important
0:37:55 > 0:38:00point - as a former fruit and vegetable grower,
0:38:00 > 0:38:02I should perhaps declare an interest - and she
0:38:02 > 0:38:03is absolutely right.
0:38:03 > 0:38:07We believe that our future policy, in so far as it supports innovation,
0:38:07 > 0:38:09will be open to the horticulture sector so that it can invest
0:38:09 > 0:38:13in its future, and we also talk about the importance of promoting
0:38:13 > 0:38:14nutritious food.
0:38:14 > 0:38:19The Government said in court that they considered
0:38:19 > 0:38:21it sufficient to take "a pragmatic, less formal approach"
0:38:21 > 0:38:23to areas of poor air quality.
0:38:23 > 0:38:24Portsmouth has consistently breached World Health Organisation
0:38:24 > 0:38:27guidelines, with 95 premature deaths each year attributed
0:38:27 > 0:38:30to air pollution.
0:38:30 > 0:38:32Does the Minister therefore consider it appropriate to take an informal
0:38:32 > 0:38:34approach to preventing deaths and protecting the health
0:38:34 > 0:38:39of my constituents?
0:38:39 > 0:38:41I think that the honourable gentleman is selectively
0:38:41 > 0:38:42quoting from the judgment.
0:38:42 > 0:38:48However, this Government take air quality very seriously.
0:38:48 > 0:38:51Portsmouth is expected to be compliant within the next
0:38:51 > 0:38:54two to three years.
0:38:54 > 0:38:57The Government have been using the benchmark of a charging
0:38:57 > 0:38:58clean air zone, which would take at least four years
0:38:58 > 0:39:02to come into place.
0:39:02 > 0:39:04He might well be shaking his head,
0:39:04 > 0:39:07but he needs to be working with his council on what it is doing
0:39:07 > 0:39:09to improve local roads and what it is working
0:39:09 > 0:39:10on regarding public health.
0:39:10 > 0:39:13I am sure that he will work alongside Councillor Donna Jones,
0:39:13 > 0:39:15who is making great efforts to improve air quality.
0:39:15 > 0:39:17The EU Commission's position on fisheries has been widely
0:39:17 > 0:39:21reported in the last 24 hours.
0:39:21 > 0:39:24It states that "existing reciprocal access to fishing waters
0:39:24 > 0:39:26and resources should be maintained".
0:39:26 > 0:39:30It also seems to suggest that any future trade deal will be heavily
0:39:30 > 0:39:31dependent on EU fishermen maintaining the current unfair
0:39:31 > 0:39:35access to British waters.
0:39:35 > 0:39:37Agreeing to this position is clearly unacceptable to fishing
0:39:37 > 0:39:40communities around the UK.
0:39:40 > 0:39:43Will my honourable friend confirm that the Government
0:39:43 > 0:39:45consider the EU's position to be just as unacceptable?
0:39:45 > 0:39:47Yes.
0:39:47 > 0:39:50I simply say to my honourable friend that this is an EU position.
0:39:50 > 0:39:54It currently benefits considerably from access to UK waters.
0:39:54 > 0:39:56At the moment, the UK fleet accesses around 100,000 tonnes
0:39:56 > 0:40:00of fish in EU waters, but the EU accesses 700,000 tonnes
0:40:00 > 0:40:04of fish in UK waters, so it would say that, wouldn't it?
0:40:04 > 0:40:09That is not a position that the UK Government share.
0:40:09 > 0:40:12I draw the Minister's attention to the very serious oil spill
0:40:12 > 0:40:14stretching from Pymmes brook in my constituency right down
0:40:14 > 0:40:18the River Lea to the Olympic Park.
0:40:18 > 0:40:22This has happened for the second time in two years.
0:40:22 > 0:40:25Is it not time for the Environment Agency, the Canal & River Trust,
0:40:25 > 0:40:27the local authorities and Thames Water to get together,
0:40:27 > 0:40:31once they have cleaned up the spill, to see what they can do to prevent
0:40:31 > 0:40:32such spills?
0:40:32 > 0:40:34I have already replied to the right honourable
0:40:34 > 0:40:36gentleman about this point through answers
0:40:36 > 0:40:38to written questions.
0:40:38 > 0:40:40The Environment Agency has traced the waste oil
0:40:40 > 0:40:43to a potential polluter, but I cannot give further details
0:40:43 > 0:40:45due to the ongoing investigation.
0:40:45 > 0:40:48I assure him that the Environment Agency carries out pollution
0:40:48 > 0:40:50prevention visits at industrial premises along that area and,
0:40:50 > 0:40:54of course, we are still working to clean it up.
0:40:54 > 0:40:59Last week's Brexit paper referred to the availability of food,
0:40:59 > 0:41:02but made zero reference to the scandal that one in 12
0:41:02 > 0:41:05British adults had gone a whole day without it.
0:41:05 > 0:41:10Why do the Government not care about people going hungry?
0:41:10 > 0:41:12We do care about people going hungry.
0:41:12 > 0:41:17We have a number of initiatives to support food banks and ensure
0:41:17 > 0:41:24that food is redistributed.
0:41:24 > 0:41:28We are also reforming and improving the benefits system to help
0:41:28 > 0:41:32people back into work, which is obviously the best option.
0:41:32 > 0:41:35The Minister will be aware of the concern expressed
0:41:35 > 0:41:40by Northern Ireland farmers and other food producers
0:41:40 > 0:41:42about cross-border trade.
0:41:42 > 0:41:45Does the Minister agree that we need an arrangement that
0:41:45 > 0:41:49will accommodate everyone?
0:41:49 > 0:41:51I very much agree with the honourable gentleman.
0:41:51 > 0:41:54I met him and a number of others yesterday to discuss the particular
0:41:54 > 0:41:57challenges of the Northern Ireland border, and I can reassure him
0:41:57 > 0:42:07that the Government are fully apprised of that concern.