Small Farms
Debate between Lord Katz and Lord Bishop of Hereford
The Lord Bishop of Hereford
To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that agricultural policies improve the profitability and long-term viability of small farming enterprises.
Lord in Waiting/Government Whip (Lord Katz) (Lab)
My Lords, we have allocated £11.8 billion this Parliament to sustainable farming and food production, targeting public money where it delivers most value. We are making supply chains fairer to ensure that farmers, particularly smaller farmers who can be most exposed to market pressures, are protected in their contracts, while unlocking new markets for British produce. We are reviewing the profitability review recommendations from the noble Baroness, Lady Batters, and developing our 25-year farming road map for England.
The Lord Bishop of Hereford
I thank the Minister for his Answer. Farming is a long-term business, and long-term strategic planning is necessary for profitability. Yet we have seen over the course of the past 18 months the devastating effect of the withdrawal of the sustainable farming incentive and the very serious effects of the changes in APR and BPR on long-term planning. While it is welcome that the sustainable farming incentive will be reopened in the first half of 2026, we still as yet have no details of what that initiative will be. Can the Minister let the House know when the details will be released?