Agricultural Transition Plan

Baroness Bloomfield of Hinton Waldrist Excerpts

Wednesday 1st February 2023 Lords Chamber

[Lord Carrington (CB)]

My Lords—

[Baroness Bloomfield of Hinton Waldrist (Con)]

We have plenty of time. I think it is the turn of the Cross- Benchers, and then Labour.

[Lord Carrington (CB)]

My Lords, I declare my interests as a farmer, as set out in the register. I also express my thanks to the Minister and his department for the progress on and development of ELMS so far. I emphasise “so far” because there are still some areas of concern, and my two principal ones are as follows.

First, the implementation of biodiversity net gain becomes a legal requirement at the end of this year. We need to know how land set aside for BNG relates in terms of payment to land incorporated in ELMS, as this could be a major income opportunity for farmers. Secondly, there is a need for immediate clarity from Defra and the Treasury on income and capital tax treatment and reliefs, as well as the possibility of VAT on BNG and other aspects of ELMS, including woodland. I would be greatly relieved if the Minister could respond on these two points.

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[Viscount Stansgate (Lab)]

My Lords—

[Baroness Bloomfield of Hinton Waldrist (Con)]

My Lords, it is the turn of the Labour Benches. There will be time for the noble Lord, Lord Inglewood, to speak afterwards.

[Viscount Stansgate (Lab)]

In the light of the answer that the Minister gave to my noble friend, can he tell the House whether his own adviser, Professor Henderson, has recommended to him further action or research that should be undertaken? The Minister also referred to a wider group of interested people who will want to know what has happened in this tragedy; sometimes, things occur in nature and we do not understand them. Will the action taken involve a wide range of scientific societies, including, for example, the Royal Society of Biology?