Plant-based Diet

Lord Jackson of Peterborough Excerpts

Tuesday 28th October 2025 Lords Chamber

[Lord Katz (Lab)]

The important thing to say to the noble Earl is that it is about empowering people via the food strategy to have more and better options so that they can make better choices. That can include a range of different food options. No one is going to yield to me in my preference to have, occasionally, a very good West Country steak that has just passed through the kitchen, not lingering for too long. At the same time, it is very much part of a balance. It is important that we are able to demonstrate to people that, whether it is plant based or not just plant based, as long as there is a rich variety of foods on their plate, that is going to lead to a healthier outcome.

[Lord Jackson of Peterborough (Con)]

My Lords, is the Minister in a position to update the House on the commitment to end the use of neonicotinoids, the toxic insecticides that have a particular impact on biodiversity, insects and pollinators such as bees, which is a commitment that this Government made and the previous Government started to take action on a number of years ago?

[Lord Katz (Lab)]

I thank the noble Lord for his question. He is right: it is important that we are able to support not just bees but the bee farming industry to ensure that that is a sustainable future. I do not have the specific details on where we are up to in banning the insecticide that he mentioned, but I certainly undertake to write to him for more details.