Farming Road Map and Profitability Review

Lord Redwood Excerpts

Wednesday 1st July 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab)]

The noble Baroness makes some good points. I am more than happy to discuss these issues in the department and with the Farming Minister. Looking at our response to the review by the noble Baroness, Lady Batters, on tenancy, because she particularly mentioned this, we recognise the benefits of longer agricultural leases and the importance of security of tenure for tenant farmers. New industry-led guidance was published in March of this year, which hopefully will help more landlords and tenants look at how long-term agreements are of benefit to both landlord and tenant. Also, we know that the Law Commission is looking to review agricultural tenancies within its 14th programme, and we welcome that, because we genuinely believe that longer-term tenancies are better for the sector.

[Lord Redwood (Con)]

Is this not a policy to make us more dependent on imported dairy and meat from the EU, because these policies will find that the carbon targets, the grazing policy and the wilding policy will mean far fewer farm animals in our country?

[Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab)]

I disagree with that. In fact, I think the opposite. When we have met industry sectors, whether pigs, cattle or whatever—particularly in Northern Ireland, interestingly enough—we have found that they really see the benefit in the opening up of markets by us working closer with the EU. A lot of the trade restrictions, the paperwork and the bureaucracy will go. We lost, I think, 40% of our trading opportunities with Brexit, but this is an opportunity to have more trade and support for our farming industries.

--- Later in debate ---

[Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab)]

Absolutely. The word “agroecology” may be used only three times, but sustainability—improving water, air and soil quality—runs all the way through the document. Just because it does not say the word, that does not mean this is not a key part of what the document intends to deliver. As I said earlier, environmental degradation leads to poor farm profitability: the Batters review was about farming profitability. That is also what the farming road map is designed to improve, because we need to improve our farming profitability.

[Lord Redwood (Con)]

Why are the Government asking for carve-outs from bad EU laws when, as a sovereign country, we should just say that we do not accept bad laws?

[Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab)]

It is part of the negotiations.