Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Wendy Chamberlain and Daniel Zeichner

Thursday 14th November 2024 Commons Chamber

[Wendy Chamberlain (North East Fife) (LD)]

T2. The puffins and other native seabirds in my constituency on the Isle of May were very grateful for the ban on sand eel fishing and trawling, but that ban is now subject to legal challenge. Will the Secretary of State commit to fighting that legal challenge?

[The Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs (Daniel Zeichner)]

The hon. Lady raises an important question. That is a delicate issue because it has been raised by the European Union, but we are absolutely determined to maintain our position.

Budget: Implications for Farming Communities

Debate between Wendy Chamberlain and Daniel Zeichner

Monday 4th November 2024 Commons Chamber

[Daniel Zeichner]

I can absolutely give my hon. Friend that assurance. As I said earlier, throughout the last five years in opposition, I was a consistent supporter of the agricultural transition, and I am determined to ensure that it is successful.

[Wendy Chamberlain (North East Fife) (LD)]

I am conscious of the need to use temperate words, but one of my constituents said to me that the Government had left farmers the choice between selling now in a managed way and leaving their farms to their heirs, who would be at the mercy of HMRC and the banks. Either way, family farms would fall.

The Minister has talked extensively today about the challenges of wealthy individuals coming in to buy up farmland. Do the Government accept that this measure will potentially increase that problem, and, if it is a problem, what additional legislative steps will they take?

[Daniel Zeichner]

No, I do not. For the reasons that I outlined earlier, I think that it will act as a disincentive for people to do that.