Farming Road Map and Profitability Review

Lord Harlech Excerpts

Wednesday 1st July 2026 Lords Chamber

[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.

[Lord Harlech (Con)]

My Lords, I declare my farm management interests as set out in the register. I would be interested to hear more from the Minister about more direct and clear support, helping farmers to access markets that are close to them; that is, public buildings and organisations. How can we prioritise local British farmers getting their produce into local schools, hospitals and that sort of thing?

[Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab)]

I do not have time to find the exact page, but I know that somewhere in this lovely document is a whole section on procurement and trying to achieve exactly what the noble Lord is talking about. We have talked about the importance of “buy British”—all Governments do that—but we need to look at how to make that happen. I urge the noble Lord to read that section; if he has not, it is great. I see that he has it in front of him—excellent. He is right: this is critical. If we are going to become more sustainable for the future, we need to look at how we support our farmers through public procurement.