Baroness Fookes
Conservative - Life peer
Joined House of Lords: 30th September 1997
Dame Janet Fookes was elected as an MP between 1970 and 1997.
1 APPG Officer Position (as of 18 May 2026)
Gardening and Horticulture3 APPG Memberships
Christians in Parliament, Environment, International Students1 Former APPG Officer Position
Arts and HeritageDivision Voting information
Baroness Fookes voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 33 Conservative Aye votes vs 39 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 83 Noes - 129
Baroness Fookes voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 41 Conservative Aye votes vs 100 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 155 Noes - 267
Baroness Fookes voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 2 Conservative No votes vs 161 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 192 Noes - 239
Debates during the 2024 Parliament
Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.
Sparring Partners
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
(6 debate interactions)
(3 debate interactions)
Department Debates
(20 debate contributions)
(8 debate contributions)
(5 debate contributions)
(2 debate contributions)
Legislation Debates
(4,326 words contributed)
(588 words contributed)
(214 words contributed)
(59 words contributed)
Lords initiatives
These initiatives were driven by Baroness Fookes, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.
Baroness Fookes has not introduced any legislation before Parliament
Baroness Fookes has not co-sponsored any Bills in the current parliamentary sitting
Latest 11 Written Questions
(View all written questions)11 Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Questions
(View all Baroness Fookes's Defra questions)The Animal Welfare Strategy (see attached) states that ending the use of cages is a key priority for this Government. A UK-wide consultation on laying hen cage reform was launched on 12 January 2026 and closed on 9 March 2026. This consultation sought views on a proposed ban on keeping laying hens, pullets and breeder layers in cages. This Government is now analysing the consultation responses and will publish a formal response in due course.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
This Government shares the public’s high regard for the UK’s environmental protections, food standards and animal welfare.
Imports into the UK must comply with UK’s existing import requirements. Products produced to different environmental and animal welfare standards can be placed on the UK market if they comply with these requirements. This has always been the case and includes products from the EU and other longstanding trading partners.
This Government will always consider whether overseas produce has an unfair advantage and any impact that may have. Where necessary, this Government will be prepared to use the full range of powers at its disposal to protect the UK’s most sensitive sectors.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
This is a devolved matter, and the information provided therefore relates to England only, with the potential for relevant policy to extend and apply to Wales.
While the Government has no immediate plan to introduce a close season for hares in England, the policy remains under consideration as part of the Government’s plans to introduce the most ambitious programme for animal welfare in a generation.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The ONS defines green jobs as: "employment in an activity that contributes to protecting or restoring the environment, including those that mitigate or adapt to climate change" (2024, ONS - Experimental estimates of green jobs, UK - Office for National Statistics [see attached]). Given the wide-reaching nature of this definition, any occupations or tasks within environmental horticulture that fall under the definition, including for example tasks related to nature conservation, will therefore be included.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Institute for Agriculture and Horticulture (TIAH) is an independent industry led organisation. Although ornamental horticulture is not within TIAH’s initial scope, through the Environmental Horticulture Group, they have been working with the sector in areas where there are common issues and working towards longer term inclusion.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
This is a devolved matter and the information provided therefore relates to England only.
Defra recognises the important role a sustainable smaller abattoir network plays in supporting the rural economy and food security.
Defra continues to work closely with the smaller abattoir sector and to provide support and advice to those wishing to establish new abattoirs.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The government committed in its manifesto to banning the import of hunting trophies.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
We appreciate the vital work of the horticulture industry with its potential for growth and recognise that a long-term vision would recognise the specific needs and huge diversity of the sector.
As part of our mission-driven government, and in partnership with the sector, we are considering a number of ways to achieve our ambitious, measurable and long-term goals for the sector.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Government will introduce the most ambitious programme for animal welfare in a generation and will bring forward plans in due course. The Government is considering available evidence around the use of electronic collars and their effects on the welfare of animals.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Farming and food production are at the heart of the Government’s agenda and an important part of our mission-driven government approach.
Building on our long-standing R&D investment in crop breeding, in July 2024, Defra awarded a further £15 million over the next five years to fund five crop Genetic Improvement Networks (GINs). This includes £9 million for horticulture (soft fruit; vegetables; and pulse crops).
The GINs will be delivered by consortia comprised of research institutes and universities; to deliver collaborative R&D to deliver breeding benefits for key UK crops.
For the first time, the GINs will incorporate research into underutilised and novel crops, helping to diversify the resources available to breeders and farmers. It will also harness the latest innovations in crop breeding, including the opportunities offered by the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act, to help farmers and breeders produce stronger, more sustainable and resilient crops for the future.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)