Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Will Stone and Angela Eagle

Thursday 19th March 2026 Commons Chamber

[Dame Angela Eagle]

I would love to—if the hon. Lady’s constituency was in England. Agriculture is a devolved matter, and she must therefore ask the Scottish Government.

[Will Stone (Swindon North) (Lab)]

10. Whether the implementation of the good food cycle strategy includes supporting the growth of the alternative protein sector.

[The Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs (Dame Angela Eagle)]

The Government’s good food cycle strategy sees alternative proteins as a major opportunity, and not just for the economy but for health, sustainability and food resilience. We are backing the sector and working with the Food Standards Agency on novel food programmes to accelerate precision fermentation technology.

[Will Stone]

I thank the Minister for her response. The cultivated meat sector could bring in billions of pounds to the UK economy and help to increase food chain security. Companies such as Hoxton Farms are leading the way in this—they are genuinely world-leading. Will she support growth in this industry and meet me and Hoxton Farms to see how we can do it better?

[Dame Angela Eagle]

I am happy to meet my hon. Friend and congratulate the company he mentions, which is leading the way in this area. We have a major national hub for plant-based, cultivated and fermentation-based research and development, which is at the forefront of progress in this exciting new area.