Brexit: Sheep Farmers

Baroness Bakewell of Hardington Mandeville Excerpts

Tuesday 22nd May 2018 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Vere of Norbiton]

I am sure my noble friend is well aware that our call for evidence closed today. Of course, we will look at the responses. We have also asked the Farm Animal Welfare Committee to look at the transport of live animals. We will respond to the call for evidence in due course.

[Baroness Bakewell of Hardington Mandeville (LD)]

My Lords, I refer to the Minister’s earlier response about upland farmers and their ability to diversify. The Health and Harmony consultation document stated:

“Compared to lowland farms, farms within the Severely Disadvantaged Area have less opportunity to diversify”.


Would the Minister care to comment?

[Baroness Vere of Norbiton]

The noble Baroness is completely right. The opportunities for diversification will depend on the type and location of a farm. This is what the consultation tried to draw out. It tried to understand what sort of farmers will need what sort of support going forward. We will have policies supporting diversification, innovation and skills. Noble Lords may be aware that only 12% of farmers benchmark their services against widely available data for farming. That can be improved and if it is, we can improve efficiency.