Lord Roborough
Main Page: Lord Roborough (Conservative - Life peer)
Lord Katz (Lab)
I do not have an update to hand on the follow-up from the precision breeding Bill, so it will probably be best, in the interest of time, if I undertake to write to my noble friend with some more detail.
Lord Roborough (Con)
My Lords, I refer the House to my registered interests as a farmer and landowner. Farming in England is struggling, with globally high employment and environmental costs, while selling at prices set in international commodity markets by lower-cost regions of the world. Despite the dedication of our farmers, that threatens our food security. How will the Minister ensure that farmers are adequately rewarded for the ecosystem services they supply alongside food, beyond the low-margin ELMS payments?
Lord Katz (Lab)
The ELM scheme, which is backed by nearly £12 billion, is already delivering sustainable and profitable farming approaches. We need to work on this and develop this more. We have strong food security. We do not take anything for granted and we will continue to work across the supply chain and with partners to maintain and enhance it.