Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) (EU Exit) (No. 2) Regulations 2019

Debate between George Eustice and Peter Bottomley

Monday 28th October 2019 General Committees

[Sir Peter Bottomley (Worthing West) (Con)]

Presumably, we are talking about the red-necked longhorn beetle, which affects Prunus trees in China?

[George Eustice]

I have been shown a picture, and—my hon. Friend knows a great deal about this—it looks like a beetle.

--- Later in debate ---

[George Eustice]

As the hon. Gentleman might know, this is my second time in this post. I have been engaged in the last few weeks with taking care of issues such as this and with preparing for the prospect of a no-deal exit. The last time I was doing this role, I visited Northern Ireland on several occasions and had numerous meetings with the Ulster Farmers Union to discuss its concerns. I am sure that my predecessor, my right hon. Friend the Member for Scarborough and Whitby (Mr Goodwill), did the same. Yes, the UK Government have engaged with representatives of the Ulster farming community.

[Sir Peter Bottomley]

When the Ulster Farmers Union, which I admire, is spoken of, I always try to speak for the Northern Ireland Agricultural Producers’ Association—the family farmers, of whom there are many more but on smaller pastures of land. NIAPA deserves attention.