Farming Practices: Sustainable Farming Incentive
Debate between Baroness Hayman of Ullock and Baroness Butler-Sloss(3 weeks, 1 day ago)
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Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab)
The new SFI, which we announced fairly recently and which runs through to September, was very much aimed at smaller farms and those that do not already have an agreement. The fact that 50% has been allocated already shows that that was a very popular decision.
Baroness Butler-Sloss (CB)
What are the Government doing to encourage food production?
Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab)
Our encouragement of all sorts of farms that did not already have grants and support demonstrates that we are keen to look at food production. We also have a farming innovation programme that supports agrotechnology for farmers, which can help with food production as well. The whole picture is about supporting food production, because, as we have said, we believe that food security is national security, and we take that very seriously.
Thames Water
Debate between Baroness Hayman of Ullock and Baroness Butler-Sloss(1 month, 2 weeks ago)
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Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab)
That is an interesting point and it is being discussed. Thames Water is huge and has quite different catchment areas. I remember going on a boat to look at the successful tidal project in London that the noble Baroness talked about, in the early days. It was fantastic. However, you then have the much more rural, upstream part of Thames Water. It is very difficult. It is for whoever ends up owning it—what do they want to own? If you take away part of it, does it become less attractive? It is a complex issue but I know that it is being discussed.
Baroness Butler-Sloss (CB)
Like many other people in this House, I am a Thames Water consumer, so I am particularly interested in this discussion. Will whoever takes over from Ofwat have the power to require Thames Water to invest?
Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab)
As I said, we have the water Bill coming through. These issues are going to be put forward in a water Bill. They will be debated and discussed in a water Bill. We need to get it right. Thames Water has some particular and immediate problems, so it will be interesting to see where the company is by the time we reach the water Bill.
EU-UK SPS Agreement: Food-related Standards
Debate between Baroness Hayman of Ullock and Baroness Butler-Sloss(2 months, 2 weeks ago)
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Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab)
Clearly, while negotiations are ongoing, I am unable to give guarantees, but I will say that we are working extremely closely with all those who would be impacted by the outcomes of any SPS agreement, particularly on agri-foods. We meet very regularly with farmers, producers, hauliers and supermarkets—I spent last week in Northern Ireland doing a big business round table with Northern Ireland producers particularly on this—so we are very keen to ensure that we hear from everyone who is likely to be impacted.
Baroness Butler-Sloss (CB)
Can the Minister say what the Government are doing to improve food production within the United Kingdom?
Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab)
We are working very closely to encourage farmers to work with us, such as by applying for grants such as the SFI. The noble Baroness, Lady Batters, has done a report on food productivity, which is incredibly important if we are to increase our food security, and we are busy looking at the best way to implement many of her recommendations.
Trail-hunting
Debate between Baroness Hayman of Ullock and Baroness Butler-Sloss(4 months, 2 weeks ago)
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Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab)
It is also important to stress that, if there is a law, people should obey it.
Baroness Butler-Sloss (CB)
Are the Government aware of how important the supporters’ clubs of hunts are to the local communities? In the part of Devon where I live partly, the local communities in rural villages are very much separated from each other, and they all offer something on one Sunday, Saturday or Friday every week. If there is no supporters’ club, there will be very little for these rural communities to do in the winter.
Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab)
I live in a very rural community and always have done, and we have plenty of options for things to do in the winter that do not involve supporting hunts. If it is a particular concern in the area where the noble and learned Baroness lives, again, I encourage her to take part in the consultation.
Animal Welfare Strategy: Rural Communities
Debate between Baroness Hayman of Ullock and Baroness Butler-Sloss(5 months, 3 weeks ago)
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Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab)
I am very aware that fallen stock is managed in that way. I am so sorry, but I am going to sound really boring today. A consultation will be starting shortly where all these issues can be fed in. I am very serious about this, and I want to do it properly, so I want to hear all concerns from all quarters.
Farmers: Competitiveness
Debate between Baroness Hayman of Ullock and Baroness Butler-Sloss(1 year, 2 months ago)
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Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab)
As I mentioned in response to the noble Baroness, it is important that when we reform our SFI we look at how we can support upland farmers more. It is also about getting the right balance between levels of grazing and environmental support. I will give a quick shout-out for Cumbrian sheep. Herdwick sheep are extremely important to our landscapes in Cumbria. I think it is important that our supermarkets and our butchers support locally bred meats as well.
Baroness Butler-Sloss (CB)
My Lords, to correct the record—I live partly in a village with very small farms—it is not just rich people who have farms. What are the Government doing to support food production in this country?
Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab)
We have a number of plans to support food production, partly through the farming road map, which we are developing. We have appointed the noble Baroness, Lady Batters, to lead Defra’s farming profitability review, which will look at things like this. We are also looking at government procurement and buying British produce, which will support British farmers. There are a number of activities that we are currently doing.
Domestic Animals: Welfare
Debate between Baroness Hayman of Ullock and Baroness Butler-Sloss(1 year, 7 months ago)
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Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab)
Clearly, dog fighting should not be taking place in this country. We are extremely keen to root it out where it is happening, and it is matter for Defra and the Home Office to work on together to ensure that, where it is found, it is properly cracked down on.
Baroness Butler-Sloss (CB)
People remain in danger from and are occasionally killed by dangerous animals. Are the Government satisfied that the current law is sufficient?
Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab)
Ongoing attacks show that we need to do more to protect the public from dangerous dogs. There has of course been a ban on XL bullies, which has been updated recently. That is there to protect public safety, and we expect owners to comply with all the conditions in that legislation. More broadly, we are working with enforcement agencies and animal welfare groups to help prevent further attacks by encouraging responsible dog ownership, addressing dog control issues before they escalate and using the full force of the law where needed.