Information since 1 May 2025, 11:11 p.m.
Parliamentary Debates |
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Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement with India
1 speech (461 words) Monday 1st September 2025 - Written Statements Department for Business and Trade Mentions: 1: Jonathan Reynolds (LAB - Stalybridge and Hyde) Informed by this advice, the Government will then lay its own report under section 42 of the Agriculture Act - Link to Speech |
Employment Rights Bill
167 speeches (34,864 words) Report stage Wednesday 16th July 2025 - Lords Chamber Home Office Mentions: 1: None within the meaning of section 1 of the Agricultural Tenancies Act 1995 or section 109(3) of the Agriculture Act - Link to Speech |
Draft Sheep Carcase (Classification and Price Reporting) (England) Regulations 2025
10 speeches (1,315 words) Tuesday 1st July 2025 - General Committees Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Mentions: 1: Robbie Moore (Con - Keighley and Ilkley) consultation, which ran between January and March—and, of course, through the passing of the underlying Agriculture Act - Link to Speech |
Groceries Code Adjudicator: Statutory Review
1 speech (447 words) Tuesday 13th May 2025 - Written Statements Department for Business and Trade Mentions: 1: Justin Madders (Lab - Ellesmere Port and Bromborough) parts of the supply chain not covered by the code or the fair dealings regulations made under the Agriculture Act - Link to Speech |
Methane (Environment and Climate Change Committee Report)
23 speeches (13,187 words) Tuesday 13th May 2025 - Grand Committee Department for Energy Security & Net Zero Mentions: 1: Lord Trees (XB - Life peer) It is regrettable that the sustainable farming incentive has been paused, especially since the Agriculture Act - Link to Speech |
Fair Dealing Obligations (Pigs) Regulations 2025
14 speeches (5,397 words) Monday 12th May 2025 - Grand Committee Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Mentions: 1: Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab - Life peer) The fair dealing powers in the Agriculture Act, and their first use in the Fair Dealing Obligations ( - Link to Speech 2: Lord Roborough (Con - Excepted Hereditary) My Lords, in speaking to these regulations, made under Section 29 of the Agriculture Act 2020, I draw - Link to Speech |
Oral Answers to Questions
131 speeches (9,178 words) Thursday 8th May 2025 - Commons Chamber Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Mentions: 1: Daniel Zeichner (Lab - Cambridge) As he will know, a series of fair dealing clauses were included in the Agriculture Act 2020; they are - Link to Speech |
Select Committee Documents |
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Wednesday 10th September 2025
Written Evidence - Department for Business and Trade UKT0061 - UK trade with the US, India and EU UK trade with the US, India and EU - Business and Trade Committee Found: the UK’s Food Standard Agencies, the Government will lay its own report under section 42 of the Agriculture Act |
Tuesday 2nd September 2025
Correspondence - Correspondence from the Secretary of State regarding the Spending Review, dated 1 August 2025 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee Found: In line with its obligations under the Agriculture Act 2020, Defra regularly publishes an annual report |
Wednesday 16th July 2025
Oral Evidence - 2025-07-16 14:30:00+01:00 Farming in Wales in 2025: Challenges and Opportunities - Welsh Affairs Committee Found: I remember sitting in some Committee room discussing the Agriculture Act four or five years ago—it |
Wednesday 4th June 2025
Oral Evidence - 2025-06-04 14:30:00+01:00 Farming in Wales in 2025: Challenges and Opportunities - Welsh Affairs Committee Found: I know we have the Agriculture Act in the UK and the Agriculture (Wales) Act, but in theory there is |
Wednesday 4th June 2025
Oral Evidence - 2025-06-04 14:30:00+01:00 Farming in Wales in 2025: Challenges and Opportunities - Welsh Affairs Committee Found: I know we have the Agriculture Act in the UK and the Agriculture (Wales) Act, but in theory there is |
Thursday 22nd May 2025
Written Evidence - Society of Labour Lawyers RTS0017 - Review of treaty scrutiny Review of treaty scrutiny - International Agreements Committee Found: Act 2010 (“CRAG”): in relation to FTA provisions relating to agriculture, sections 42 of the Agriculture Act |
Thursday 22nd May 2025
Oral Evidence - Defra, Defra, Defra, Defra, and Defra Nitrogen - Environment and Climate Change Committee Found: public goods and environmental land management was broadly welcomed during the passage of the Agriculture Act |
Wednesday 21st May 2025
Written Evidence - Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) FIW0011 - Farming in Wales in 2025: Challenges and Opportunities Farming in Wales in 2025: Challenges and Opportunities - Welsh Affairs Committee Found: supplies reach consumers at reasonable prices”, replacing equivalent objectives under the 1947 Agriculture Act |
Wednesday 21st May 2025
Written Evidence - NFU Cymru FIW0007 - Farming in Wales in 2025: Challenges and Opportunities Farming in Wales in 2025: Challenges and Opportunities - Welsh Affairs Committee Found: agricultural sectors, and where necessary Ministers should use the powers available to them under the Agriculture Act |
Thursday 15th May 2025
Correspondence - Letter from Lord Gardiner of Kimble, Chair of the Liaison Committee, to the Rt Hon Steve Reed MP, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, on the Select Committee on Land Use in England Liaison Committee (Lords) Found: first round of Landscape Recovery projects and Recommendation 4 Under Section 19 of the Agriculture Act |
Wednesday 14th May 2025
Written Evidence - Dr Nicolette Butler, and Dr Jasem Tarawneh RTS0008 - Review of treaty scrutiny Review of treaty scrutiny - International Agreements Committee Found: Under the Agriculture Act 2020 and Trade Act 2021, the Government must publish a “Section 42 report” |
Tuesday 6th May 2025
Oral Evidence - Monckton Chambers, University of Oxford, and University of Cambridge Review of treaty scrutiny - International Agreements Committee Found: That is set out in Section 8 of the Trade Act 2021, amending Section 42 of the Agriculture Act which |
Written Answers |
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Trade Agreements: India
Asked by: Andrew Griffith (Conservative - Arundel and South Downs) Friday 5th September 2025 Question to the Department for Business and Trade: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how long the scrutiny period for documents laid before Parliament for the UK-India trade deal will be. Answered by Douglas Alexander - Secretary of State for Scotland The Secretary of State commissioned the Chair of Trade and Agriculture Commission upon signature of the India FTA and has given the Chair until 24 October to provide advice which will be laid before Parliament shortly thereafter. The Government will then produce a Section 42 Report, under its obligations in the Agriculture Act 2020, in collaboration with the Food Standards Agency and Food Standards Scotland, which will be laid in Parliament once we have considered the Commission's advice. Per the Government’s Trade Strategy, there will be at least 20 sitting days between the publication of the Section 42 Report and any triggering of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act process. |
Trade Agreements: India
Asked by: Andrew Griffith (Conservative - Arundel and South Downs) Friday 5th September 2025 Question to the Department for Business and Trade: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, when he will lay before Parliament the (a) section 42 Agriculture Act 2020 report and (b) Trade and Agriculture Commission’s advice for the UK–India trade deal. Answered by Douglas Alexander - Secretary of State for Scotland The Secretary of State commissioned the Chair of Trade and Agriculture Commission upon signature of the India FTA and has given the Chair until 24 October to provide advice which will be laid before Parliament shortly thereafter. The Government will then produce a Section 42 Report, under its obligations in the Agriculture Act 2020, in collaboration with the Food Standards Agency and Food Standards Scotland, which will be laid in Parliament once we have considered the Commission's advice. Per the Government’s Trade Strategy, there will be at least 20 sitting days between the publication of the Section 42 Report and any triggering of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act process. |
Agriculture: Supermarkets
Asked by: Edward Morello (Liberal Democrat - West Dorset) Friday 5th September 2025 Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with supermarkets on (a) the adequacy of the prices they pay to producers and (b) the potential merits of buying more produce from vertical farms. Answered by Daniel Zeichner The Government is committed to tackling unfairness in the supply chain wherever it exists. Using the 'Fair Dealings' powers in the Agriculture Act 2020, we can introduce regulations to increase transparency and protect growers, across the range of horticultural production systems, from unfair commercial practices.
We are currently developing ‘Fair Dealing’ regulations for the fresh produce sector, which will cover growers that sell directly to retail. These regulations are designed to strengthen supply chain fairness and ensure all horticulture producers have clear and balanced contracts, which may include prohibiting practices such as cancelling orders at short notice.
As part of this work, we are engaging with retailers, producers, experts and other representatives of the horticulture sector to ensure the regulations are workable and effective. |
Agriculture: Supermarkets
Asked by: Edward Morello (Liberal Democrat - West Dorset) Friday 5th September 2025 Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of bringing forward legislative proposals to prevent supermarkets from cancelling orders from vertical farms at short notice. Answered by Daniel Zeichner The Government is committed to tackling unfairness in the supply chain wherever it exists. Using the 'Fair Dealings' powers in the Agriculture Act 2020, we can introduce regulations to increase transparency and protect growers, across the range of horticultural production systems, from unfair commercial practices.
We are currently developing ‘Fair Dealing’ regulations for the fresh produce sector, which will cover growers that sell directly to retail. These regulations are designed to strengthen supply chain fairness and ensure all horticulture producers have clear and balanced contracts, which may include prohibiting practices such as cancelling orders at short notice.
As part of this work, we are engaging with retailers, producers, experts and other representatives of the horticulture sector to ensure the regulations are workable and effective. |
Agriculture: Supermarkets
Asked by: Edward Morello (Liberal Democrat - West Dorset) Friday 5th September 2025 Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has had discussions with (a) experts and (b) representatives of (i) traditional and (ii) vertical farming sectors on improving the (A) fairness and (B) reliability of supermarket supply contracts. Answered by Daniel Zeichner The Government is committed to tackling unfairness in the supply chain wherever it exists. Using the 'Fair Dealings' powers in the Agriculture Act 2020, we can introduce regulations to increase transparency and protect growers, across the range of horticultural production systems, from unfair commercial practices.
We are currently developing ‘Fair Dealing’ regulations for the fresh produce sector, which will cover growers that sell directly to retail. These regulations are designed to strengthen supply chain fairness and ensure all horticulture producers have clear and balanced contracts, which may include prohibiting practices such as cancelling orders at short notice.
As part of this work, we are engaging with retailers, producers, experts and other representatives of the horticulture sector to ensure the regulations are workable and effective. |
Supermarkets: Supply Chains
Asked by: Edward Morello (Liberal Democrat - West Dorset) Tuesday 2nd September 2025 Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make it his policy to prevent supermarkets from cancelling orders from vertical farms at short notice. Answered by Daniel Zeichner The Government is committed to tackling unfairness in the supply chain wherever it exists, which includes practices such as cancelling orders at short notice. Using the 'Fair Dealings' powers in the Agriculture Act 2020 we can introduce regulations to increase transparency and protect growers, including those with vertical horticulture systems, from unfair commercial practices.
We are already making progress on developing ‘Fair Dealing’ regulations for the fresh produce sector, which will cover growers that sell directly to retail. These regulations could require that contracts include clear rules on notice periods, fair termination clauses and processes for changing agreed terms. |
Supermarkets: Supply Chains
Asked by: Edward Morello (Liberal Democrat - West Dorset) Tuesday 2nd September 2025 Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will take steps to prevent supermarkets from being able to cancel orders from vertical farms at short notice. Answered by Daniel Zeichner The Government is committed to tackling unfairness in the supply chain wherever it exists, which includes practices such as cancelling orders at short notice. Using the 'Fair Dealings' powers in the Agriculture Act 2020 we can introduce regulations to increase transparency and protect growers, including those with vertical horticulture systems, from unfair commercial practices.
We are already making progress on developing ‘Fair Dealing’ regulations for the fresh produce sector, which will cover growers that sell directly to retail. These regulations could require that contracts include clear rules on notice periods, fair termination clauses and processes for changing agreed terms.
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Food Supply
Asked by: Neil Shastri-Hurst (Conservative - Solihull West and Shirley) Monday 1st September 2025 Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department plans to mandate the update the UK Food Security Report annually. Answered by Daniel Zeichner The UK Food Security Report is published once every three years, fulfilling the duty in the Agriculture Act 2020. The next one will be published in 2027.
On 15 July 2025 the Government announced that it is committing to a new annual food security statistics publication to be published in the years between the triennial UK Food Security Report, starting this year. It will be a more frequent and focused publication, designed to ensure that key UK food security analysis is made public in order to capture emerging trends, and to support both policymakers and the public.
This new annual publication is a separate product to the UK Food Security Report and is not fulfilling the legislative duty. |
Agriculture: Expenditure
Asked by: Baroness Scott of Needham Market (Liberal Democrat - Life peer) Tuesday 8th July 2025 Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: To ask His Majesty's Government how much financial assistance DEFRA provided in total to support the agriculture sector in the past financial year. Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) In line with its obligations under the Agriculture Act 2020, Defra regularly publishes an annual report setting out commitments in the previous financial year. Defra intends to publish the annual report for the financial year 2024/25 later this year, which will set out how money was spent in that financial year. |
Food Supply
Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford) Tuesday 8th July 2025 Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of trends in the level of food security. Answered by Daniel Zeichner The second United Kingdom Food Security Report (UKFSR) was published in December 2024. The UKFSR sets out an analysis of statistical data relating to food security in the UK, fulfilling the duty in the Agriculture Act 2020 to present a report on food security to Parliament at least once every three years. |
Supermarkets: Supply Chains
Asked by: Sarah Gibson (Liberal Democrat - Chippenham) Friday 27th June 2025 Question to the Department for Business and Trade: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that fair dealing improvements under Grocery Supply Code of Practice are extended to upstream suppliers who are not covered by the Code. Answered by Justin Madders The Groceries Code is a competition measure owned by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). The CMA can only change the Code in ways which address the specific effects on competition found during its original market investigation, and not to address new issues or sectors. The government has introduced Fair Dealing Regulations under the Agriculture Act 2020 to deal with the production end of the supply chain in specific sectors. These are enforced by the Agricultural Supply Chain Adjudicator (ASCA). The government is currently undertaking the fourth statutory review of the Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA). The review additionally asks if there are unfair contractual practices in parts of the supply chain not covered by the GCA or ASCA. |
Agricultural Supply Chain Adjudicator
Asked by: Ian Roome (Liberal Democrat - North Devon) Tuesday 24th June 2025 Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the functions of the Agricultural Supply Chain Adjudicator will be extended to align with those of the Grocery Code Adjudicator. Answered by Daniel Zeichner The Agricultural Supply Chain Adjudicator (ASCA) is responsible for enforcing regulations developed under the Agriculture Act 2020 'Fair Dealing' powers (section 29). Regulations introduced using these powers promote fair contractual dealing and contribute to a more equitable relationship between producers and purchasers. To date, the powers have been used to create the Fair Dealing Obligations (Milk) Regulations 2024 and the Fair Dealing Obligations (Pigs) Regulations 2025.
The ASCA can investigate relevant complaints and has significant powers to impose fines and/or order compensation to be paid by those found to be in breach. The ASCA also aims to be a convener across supply chains, working with both producers and purchasers to improve business relationships and behaviours around contracts.
The remit of ASCA deals with those who farmers supply directly, which in most cases is not supermarkets. The ASCA therefore has a distinct role and way of working to the Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA), which instead regulates the relationship between large retailers and their direct suppliers. The ASCA and the GCA are also in regular contact as they fulfil their respective remits, ensuring co-ordination without duplication.
The Government are committed to an evidence-based approach to regulating the supply chain. The fourth statutory review of the GCA’s effectiveness was recently launched, with a public consultation open which closes on 5 August. We encourage anyone interested to respond to the review’s consultation and will carefully consider the views received. We will also conduct a statutory review into the effectiveness of the ‘Fair Dealing’ regulations in due course. |
Farmers: Retail Trade
Asked by: Sarah Hall (Labour (Co-op) - Warrington South) Monday 23rd June 2025 Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of the current regulatory framework in ensuring fair treatment of (a) farmers and (b) small food producers by large retailers. Answered by Daniel Zeichner Farmers should always receive a fair price for their products, and the Government is committed to tackling unfairness in the supply chain wherever it exists. Central to this is our work to improve contractual practices in agriculture, where we are introducing ‘Fair Dealings’ regulations using powers in the Agriculture Act 2020.
Fair Dealings regulations have already been introduced for the UK dairy and pig sectors, and further regulations are in development for the egg and fresh produce sectors too. The Government also recently announced the launch of a new review into issues facing the combinable crops sector. We will conduct a statutory review into the effectiveness of these regulations in due course.
In terms of those who supply large retailers, the Government also supports the work of the Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA), which enforces the Groceries Supply Code of Practice (GSCOP) and regulates the relationship between the largest grocery retailers and their direct suppliers.
Evidence from previous statutory reviews of the GCA and from annual supplier surveys suggest that the adjudicator has been highly effective in enforcing GSCOP. The Government recently launched the fourth statutory review of the GCA’s effectiveness and has an ongoing public consultation open which closes on 5 August. We encourage anyone interested to respond to the review’s consultation and will carefully consider the views received. |
County Councils: Farms
Asked by: Baroness Rock (Conservative - Life peer) Monday 16th June 2025 Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have considered legislative changes to allow newly formed or reorganised local authorities, including unitary and combined authorities, to be designated as smallholding authorities in order to maintain the protections provided under sections 38 and 39 of the Agriculture Act 1970. Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip) On 5 February the government formally invited unitary proposals from all the councils in two tier areas and their neighbouring small unitaries. It is for councils to develop robust and sustainable proposals that are in the best interests of their whole area. During the local government reorganisation process, it is expected that assets and liabilities remain locally managed by councils. There is a suite of general continuity regulations for local government reorganisation made under the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 which ensure smooth transfer to new unitary councils. These general regulations provide transitional and supplementary arrangements, so that the councils can undertake specific functions to enable a successful move to the single tier of local government. These provisions relate to continuity of services and functions, staffing, local authority plans and schemes, transfer of assets, property and reserves, and can include farm estates. We will review and if necessary update relevant legislation to ensure that powers currently designated to county councils are provided to new unitary councils. The Government has not made an assessment of the impact of local government reorganisation on council farms. Although local government reorganisation may impact who administers farming tenancies, it will not alter council farm tenants' succession rights. We are committed to working with colleagues across Government, and with the LGA and its sector support group to ensure councils have the information, tools and expertise to develop the solutions that are right for their area, so new authorities are set up for success. I am happy to meet Noble Lords at any point to discuss local government reorganisation, and Baroness Hayman and I stand ready to meet Baroness Rock to discuss the issues she has raised.
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County Councils: Farms
Asked by: Baroness Rock (Conservative - Life peer) Monday 16th June 2025 Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the potential impact of local government reorganisation and the English Devolution White Paper on the future of county council-owned council farms, particularly with regard to their statutory role as smallholding authorities under the Agriculture Act 1970. Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip) On 5 February the government formally invited unitary proposals from all the councils in two tier areas and their neighbouring small unitaries. It is for councils to develop robust and sustainable proposals that are in the best interests of their whole area. During the local government reorganisation process, it is expected that assets and liabilities remain locally managed by councils. There is a suite of general continuity regulations for local government reorganisation made under the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 which ensure smooth transfer to new unitary councils. These general regulations provide transitional and supplementary arrangements, so that the councils can undertake specific functions to enable a successful move to the single tier of local government. These provisions relate to continuity of services and functions, staffing, local authority plans and schemes, transfer of assets, property and reserves, and can include farm estates. We will review and if necessary update relevant legislation to ensure that powers currently designated to county councils are provided to new unitary councils. The Government has not made an assessment of the impact of local government reorganisation on council farms. Although local government reorganisation may impact who administers farming tenancies, it will not alter council farm tenants' succession rights. We are committed to working with colleagues across Government, and with the LGA and its sector support group to ensure councils have the information, tools and expertise to develop the solutions that are right for their area, so new authorities are set up for success. I am happy to meet Noble Lords at any point to discuss local government reorganisation, and Baroness Hayman and I stand ready to meet Baroness Rock to discuss the issues she has raised.
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Agriculture: Exports
Asked by: Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth (Conservative - Life peer) Thursday 22nd May 2025 Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of climate change on the availability of British agricultural produce for UK and overseas markets. Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) We celebrate the amazing job food businesses do in feeding the nation. The UK Food Security Report is a triannual statistical report required under the Agriculture Act 2020. The most recent report, published December 2024, assessed that the UK produces 62% of all the food we need and 75% of the food we can grow or rear in the UK for all or part of the year. Food production faces pressing risks from climate change and nature loss, as assessed in the Government’s Third Climate Change Risk Assessment (CCRA3). Strengthening food security by supporting our farmers and food producers is a top priority for this Government. Defra is taking action to reduce climate change impacts, for example through the third National Adaptation Programme (NAP3), which includes a range of measures for the agri-food system. The government works with the Met Office Hadley Centre’s Food Farming and Natural Environment (FFNE) service on food supply resilience research in relation to climate change and adaptation measures. The Government’s Land Use Consultation asked about the support that land managers, including farmers, would need to plan for climate change. Responses to this consultation will inform the Land Use Framework that will be published later this year. |
Sustainable Farming Incentive
Asked by: Lord Cromwell (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary) Monday 19th May 2025 Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: To ask His Majesty's Government how much of the savings from the reductions in delinked payments will be allocated to payments to farms participating in the new Sustainable Farming Incentive scheme. Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) Reductions to delinked payments allowed this Government to unlock a record level of funding for Environmental Land Management schemes, as part of the £5 billion for farming secured over 24/25 and 25/26 financial years.
In line with its obligations under the Agriculture Act 2020, Defra regularly publishes an annual report, setting out commitments in the previous financial year. Defra intends to publish the annual report for the financial year 2024/25 later this year. The annual report for financial year 2025/26 will be published next year and will include Farming and Countryside programme spend broken down by each scheme. |
Supermarkets: Food
Asked by: Adam Dance (Liberal Democrat - Yeovil) Tuesday 13th May 2025 Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with large supermarkets on the potential impact of (a) food pricing and (b) supermarkets' buying practices on food producers. Answered by Daniel Zeichner Defra regularly engages with supermarkets and producers about a range of measures they can take to ensure the availability of affordable food. These measures include maintaining value ranges, price matching and price freezing. However, it is for each individual food retailer to make commercial decisions regarding the products in their stores, as the Government does not interfere in day-to-day operations.
The Government is firmly committed to ensuring food producers receive a fair price for their products, and to tackling unfairness in the supply chain wherever it exists.
On 13 March, Fair Dealing Regulations for the pig sector were introduced and are currently progressing through the parliamentary process. Similar regulations for the eggs and fresh produce sectors will follow, with the Government prepared to intervene in any sector where fairness issues are identified.
Where farmers sell directly to retailers, their agreements will be covered within the scope of the sectoral regulations that we are introducing through powers in the Agriculture Act 2020.
Additionally, the Government is committed to ensuring that everyone has access to nutritious, affordable food. The recently launched Food Strategy will look to outline measures to make healthy food accessible and affordable for the whole population. |
Secondary Legislation |
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Free-Range Poultrymeat Marketing Standards (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2025 These Regulations make an amendment to the legislation relating to the marketing of poultrymeat as free-range in the event of measures being adopted which restrict continuous daytime access of poultry to open-air runs in order to protect public and animal health. Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Parliamentary Status - Text of Legislation - Draft affirmative Laid: Tuesday 1st July - In Force: Not stated Found: Draft Regulations laid before Parliament under sections 37(6) and 50(6)(a) of the Agriculture Act 2020 |
Sheep Carcase (Classification and Price Reporting) (England) Regulations 2025 These Regulations are made under powers in the Agriculture Act 2020 (c. 21), and provide for mandatory classification and price reporting of sheep carcases by larger approved slaughterhouses. Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Parliamentary Status - Text of Legislation - Draft affirmative Laid: Monday 2nd June - In Force: Not stated Found: Draft Regulations laid before Parliament under sections 23(8), 28(6), 40(4) and 50(6)(a) of the Agriculture Act |
Parliamentary Research |
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What is a trade deal? UK-US trade talks since 2020 - CBP-10316
Jul. 30 2025 Found: Committee, Twelfth Report of Session 2022–23, Scrutiny of free trade agreements, 13 July 2023. 17 Agriculture Act |
Regenerative agriculture - POST-PN-0748
Jun. 16 2025 Found: Agricultural Transition Plan set out the period for replacing area-based subsidies, established by the Agriculture Act |
Bill Documents |
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Sep. 09 2025
HL Bill 131 Commons Disagreement, Reasons and Amendments in Lieu Renters' Rights Bill 2024-26 Bill Found: In this ground— “agriculture” has the same meaning as in the Rent (Agriculture) Act 1976 (see section |
Sep. 08 2025
Commons Consideration of Lords Amendments as at 8 September 2025 Renters' Rights Bill 2024-26 Amendment Paper Found: In this ground— “agriculture” has the same meaning as in the Rent (Agriculture) Act 1976 (see section |
Sep. 05 2025
Notices of CCLA Amendments as at 5 September 2025 Renters' Rights Bill 2024-26 Amendment Paper Found: In this ground— “agriculture” has the same meaning as in the Rent (Agriculture) Act 1976 (see section |
Sep. 03 2025
Notices of CCLA Amendments as at 3 September 2025 Renters' Rights Bill 2024-26 Amendment Paper Found: In this ground— “agriculture” has the same meaning as in the Rent (Agriculture) Act 1976 (see section |
Jul. 15 2025
HL Bill 113-II Second marshalled list for Report Employment Rights Bill 2024-26 Amendment Paper Found: within the meaning of section 1 of the Agricultural Tenancies Act 1995 or section 109(3) of the Agriculture Act |
Jul. 15 2025
HL Bill 128 (as amended on Report) Renters' Rights Bill 2024-26 Bill Found: being by virtue of any provision of Schedule 1 to the Rent Act 1977 or section 4 of the Rent (Agriculture) Act |
Jul. 10 2025
HL Bill 113-I Marshalled list for Report Employment Rights Bill 2024-26 Amendment Paper Found: within the meaning of section 1 of the Agricultural Tenancies Act 1995 or section 109(3) of the Agriculture Act |
Jul. 10 2025
Bill 283 2024-25 (as introduced) English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill 2024-26 Bill Found: 12 (meetings and proceedings of local authorities). 43 20 Section 5(3)(baa) of the Rent (Agriculture) Act |
Jul. 10 2025
Bill 283 2024-25 (as introduced) - large print English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill 2024-26 Bill Found: proceedings of local authorities). p226 226:5 226:10 226:1543 Section 5(3)(baa) of the Rent (Agriculture) Act |
Jul. 10 2025
Bill 283 EN 2024-25 - large print English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill 2024-26 Explanatory Notes Found: ● Rent (Agriculture) Act 1976 ● Representation of the People Act 1983 ● Road Traffic Act 1988 |
Jul. 10 2025
Bill 283 EN 2024-25 English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill 2024-26 Explanatory Notes Found: ● Railways Act 1993 ● Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003 ● Rent Act 1977 ● Rent (Agriculture) Act |
Jul. 03 2025
Bill 203* 2024-25 (as introduced) Food Products (Market Regulation and Public Procurement) Bill 2024-26 Bill Found: 15 appointed by the Secretary of State to enforce regulations made under section 29 of the Agriculture Act |
May. 15 2025
Bill 245 2024-25 (as amended in Public Bill Committee) Product Regulation and Metrology Act 2025 Bill Found: the Food Safety Act 1990. 2 5 Feeding stuff and fertiliser as defined in section 66 of the Agriculture Act |
May. 15 2025
Bill 245 2024-25 (as amended in Public Bill Committee) - large print Product Regulation and Metrology Act 2025 Bill Found: 1 of the Food Safety Act 1990. 2 Feeding stuff and fertiliser as defined in section 66 of the Agriculture Act |
May. 15 2025
HL Bill 103 (as amended in Committee) Renters' Rights Bill 2024-26 Bill Found: being by virtue of any provision of Schedule 1 to the Rent Act 1977 or section 4 of the Rent (Agriculture) Act |
APPG Publications |
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Science and Technology in Agriculture APPG Document: Notes - Implementing the Precision Breeding Act Found: first leading calls for regulatory reform on gene editing in 2020, during the passage of the Agriculture Act |
Science and Technology in Agriculture APPG Document: Just in Case: 7 steps to narrow the UK civil food resilience gap Found: Neither the Agriculture Act 202010 nor the Environment Act 202111 addressed food. |
Science and Technology in Agriculture APPG Document: UK Food Security Report 2024 Found: UK Food Security Report 2024 Presented to Parliament pursuant to Section 19 of the Agriculture Act 2020 |
Science and Technology in Agriculture APPG Document: APPGSTA Biennial Report 2022-24 Found: first led calls for post-Brexit regulatory divergence on gene editing during the passage of the Agriculture Act |
Science and Technology in Agriculture APPG Document: Notes - AGM - Gene edited strawberries and potatoes heading for England Found: initially called for by members of this All-Party Group through a proposed amendment to the Agriculture Act |
Science and Technology in Agriculture APPG Document: Notes - Gene editing developments in Canada Found: led calls for regulatory divergence from EU rules on gene editing during the passage of the Agriculture Act |
Net Zero APPG Document: NZ APPG Roadmap Report 2021 Found: The new Agriculture Act provides an opportunity for real and immediate gains through subsidy reform |
Department Publications - Transparency |
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Wednesday 10th September 2025
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Source Page: Farming and Countryside Programme annual report 2024 to 2025 Document: Farming and Countryside Programme annual report 2024 to 2025 (webpage) Found: The Agriculture Act (2020) places a duty on the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs |
Wednesday 10th September 2025
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Source Page: Farming and Countryside Programme annual report 2024 to 2025 Document: (PDF) Found: April 2024 to 31 March 2025 Presented to Parliament pursuant to Chapter 1, Section 5 of the Agriculture Act |
Department Publications - News and Communications |
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Friday 25th July 2025
Department for Business and Trade Source Page: UK-India FTA: Minister of State for Trade Policy and Economic Security's request for Food Standards Agency and Food Standards Scotland advice Document: (PDF) Found: the UK -India Free Trade Agreement (FTA), in line with the provisions of section 42 (4) of the Agriculture Act |
Department Publications - Guidance |
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Thursday 24th July 2025
Department for Business and Trade Source Page: UK-India CETA: draft explanatory memorandum Document: (PDF) Found: procedure under Part 2 of the CRaG will not be commenced until the obligations set out in the Agriculture Act |
Department Publications - Research |
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Monday 19th May 2025
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Source Page: Agriculture in the United Kingdom 1989 – 2010 Document: (PDF) Found: basisLegal basis 1 Agriculture in the United Kingdom 2009 fulfi ls the requirement under the Agriculture Act |
Monday 19th May 2025
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Source Page: Agriculture in the United Kingdom 1989 – 2010 Document: (PDF) Found: notes vii Preface 1 Agriculture in the United Kingdom 2001 fulfils the requirement under the Agriculture Act |
Monday 19th May 2025
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Source Page: Agriculture in the United Kingdom 1989 – 2010 Document: (PDF) Found: 143Preface Legal basis 1 Agriculture in the United Kingdom 2004 fulfils the requirement under the Agriculture Act |
Monday 19th May 2025
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Source Page: Agriculture in the United Kingdom 1989 – 2010 Document: (PDF) Found: production.2007Legal basis 1 Agriculture in the United Kingdom 2007 fulfils the requirement under the Agriculture Act |
Monday 19th May 2025
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Source Page: Agriculture in the United Kingdom 1989 – 2010 Document: (PDF) Found: Agriculture in the United Kingdom 1999 fulfils the requirement under the Agriculture Act 1993 that Ministers |
Monday 19th May 2025
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Source Page: Agriculture in the United Kingdom 1989 – 2010 Document: (PDF) Found: production.2006Legal basis 1 Agriculture in the United Kingdom 2006 fulfils the requirement under the Agriculture Act |
Monday 19th May 2025
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Source Page: Agriculture in the United Kingdom 1989 – 2010 Document: (PDF) Found: notices vii Preface 1 Agriculture in the United Kingdom 2002 fulfils the requirement under the Agriculture Act |
Monday 19th May 2025
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Source Page: Agriculture in the United Kingdom 1989 – 2010 Document: (PDF) Found: production.2009Legal basis 1 Agriculture in the United Kingdom 2009 fulfils the requirement under the Agriculture Act |
Monday 19th May 2025
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Source Page: Agriculture in the United Kingdom 1989 – 2010 Document: (PDF) Found: Preface Legal basis 1 Agriculture in the United Kingdom 2005 fulfils the requirement under the Agriculture Act |
Monday 19th May 2025
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Source Page: Agriculture in the United Kingdom 1989 – 2010 Document: (PDF) Found: production.2008Legal basis 1 Agriculture in the United Kingdom 2008 fulfils the requirement under the Agriculture Act |
Monday 19th May 2025
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Source Page: Agriculture in the United Kingdom 1989 – 2010 Document: (PDF) Found: publications 155Preface 1 Agriculture in the United Kingdom 2003 fulfils the requirement under the Agriculture Act |
Monday 19th May 2025
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Source Page: Agriculture in the United Kingdom 1989 – 2010 Document: (PDF) Found: general note vii Preface 1 Agriculture in the United Kingdom 2000 fulfils the requirement under the Agriculture Act |
Monday 19th May 2025
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Source Page: Agriculture in the United Kingdom 1989 – 2010 Document: (PDF) Found: Agriculture in the United Kingdom 1998 fulfils the requirement under the Agriculture Act 1993 that Ministers |
Monday 19th May 2025
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Source Page: Agriculture in the United Kingdom 1989 – 2010 Document: (PDF) Found: Agriculture in the United Kingdom 1997 fulfils the requirement under the Agriculture Act 1993 that Ministers |
Non-Departmental Publications - News and Communications |
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Jul. 25 2025
Food Standards Agency Source Page: UK-India FTA: Minister of State for Trade Policy and Economic Security's request for Food Standards Agency and Food Standards Scotland advice Document: (PDF) News and Communications Found: the UK -India Free Trade Agreement (FTA), in line with the provisions of section 42 (4) of the Agriculture Act |
Jul. 18 2025
Groceries Code Adjudicator Source Page: GCA publishes 2024/25 annual report Document: GCA Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25 (PDF) News and Communications Found: the GCA Governance Board • Given the introduction of regulations under powers taken in the Agriculture Act |
Non-Departmental Publications - Transparency |
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Jul. 18 2025
Groceries Code Adjudicator Source Page: 2024 to 2025: GCA Annual Report and Accounts Document: (PDF) Transparency Found: the GCA Governance Board • Given the introduction of regulations under powers taken in the Agriculture Act |
Jul. 17 2025
Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board Source Page: Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board annual report and accounts 2024 to 2025 Document: (PDF) Transparency Found: Section 35 of the Agriculture Act 2020 (c.21) contains provisions that permit the redistribution of levies |
Jul. 17 2025
Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board Source Page: Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board annual report and accounts 2024 to 2025 Document: (PDF) Transparency Found: Section 35 of the Agriculture Act 2020 (c.21) contains provisions that permit the redistribution of levies |
Jul. 17 2025
Rural Payments Agency Source Page: Rural Payments Agency annual report and accounts 2024 to 2025 Document: (PDF) Transparency Found: Those agreements reflect the Secretary of State's wider scheme rules in accordance with the Agriculture Act |
Jun. 26 2025
Natural England Source Page: Natural England annual report and accounts 2023 to 2024 Document: (PDF) Transparency Found: earlier in the 25-year Environment Plan, with new powers and duties from the Environment Act, Agriculture Act |
Non-Departmental Publications - Open consultation |
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Jul. 07 2025
Nuclear Decommissioning Authority Source Page: The NDA group Draft Strategy 2025 for public consultation Document: (PDF) Open consultation Found: The UK Agriculture Act (2020) [88] contains provisions regarding the improvement of soil quality. |
Draft Secondary Legislation |
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The Free-Range Poultrymeat Marketing Standards (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2025 These Regulations make an amendment to the legislation relating to the marketing of poultrymeat as free-range in the event of measures being adopted which restrict continuous daytime access of poultry to open-air runs in order to protect public and animal health. Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Found: Draft Regulations laid before Parliament under sections 37(6) and 50(6)(a) of the Agriculture Act 2020 |
The Sheep Carcase (Classification and Price Reporting) (England) Regulations 2025 These Regulations are made under powers in the Agriculture Act 2020 (c. 21), and provide for mandatory classification and price reporting of sheep carcases by larger approved slaughterhouses. Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Found: Draft Regulations laid before Parliament under sections 23(8), 28(6), 40(4) and 50(6)(a) of the Agriculture Act |
Scottish Government Publications |
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Tuesday 8th July 2025
Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate Source Page: Pesticide Steering Group (PSG14) note of meeting: 5 June 2025 Document: Pesticide Steering Group (PSG14) note of meeting: 5 June 2025 (webpage) Found: they have had any feedback from farmers regarding the gradual changes being brought in via the Agriculture Act |
Welsh Government Publications |
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Thursday 19th June 2025
Source Page: Implementation of Bovine Electronic Identification (Bovine EID) in Wales Document: Integrated impact assessment (webpage) Found: With new powers granted under the UK Agriculture Act 2020, Wales has been given the ability to amend |
Wednesday 18th June 2025
Source Page: Draft Planning (Wales) Bill Document: Draft Planning (Wales) Bill (PDF) Found: notice was served, was agricultural land within the meaning given by section 109(1) of the Agriculture Act |
Welsh Senedd Debates |
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3. Soil Health in Agriculture: Panel 3
None speech (None words) Thursday 15th May 2025 - None |
Welsh Senedd Speeches |
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No Department |