Asked by: Angela Crawley (Scottish National Party - Lanark and Hamilton East)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to encourage new entrants to the (a) farming and (b) crofting sectors.
Answered by Robert Goodwill
It is a key priority of this Government to enable an innovative, productive and competitive agricultural and horticultural sector.
Attracting young talent into agricultural and horticultural careers and having a skilled workforce in place is vital for the future of UK food and farming.
The Government is working with industry bodies, such as the Food and Drink Sector Council, to raise awareness of agriculture as an exciting and attractive career path and to improve access to the talent and skills required by the industry.
The Government is reforming post-16 technical education to provide clear routes to skilled employment in agriculture and other sectors. A key part of this is the introduction of new T levels programmes, which alongside apprenticeships, will sit within 15 routes, including an Agriculture, Environmental and Animal Care route.
We are also exploring how to help Local Authorities with council farm estates and other organisations and landowners who want to invest in providing more opportunities for new farmers to start a foundation business and gain the experience they need to progress onto a larger unit.
As agriculture is a devolved matter the question on crofting will need to be asked of the Scottish Government.
Asked by: Angela Crawley (Scottish National Party - Lanark and Hamilton East)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department will take to ensure that standards on food safety, animal welfare and environmental protection are not lowered in future trade deals.
Answered by Robert Goodwill
The current regulatory framework for food and feed safety is well established and designed to protect the public’s health. Any future trade agreements must work for consumers, farmers, and businesses in the UK. We will maintain our standards on food safety, animal welfare and environmental protection as part of any future trade deals. The Withdrawal Act will transfer onto the UK statute book all EU food safety and animal welfare standards. Our current high standards, including import requirements, will apply when we leave the EU. We will remain global leaders in environmental protection and animal welfare standards, maintaining our high quality produce for British consumers.
Asked by: Angela Crawley (Scottish National Party - Lanark and Hamilton East)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has plans to ban the importation of hunting trophies.
Answered by Baroness Coffey
I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Oxford East, Anneliese Dodds, on 21 January 2019 to PQ 209402.
Asked by: Angela Crawley (Scottish National Party - Lanark and Hamilton East)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with the Scottish Government on Common Agricultural Policy payments.
Answered by George Eustice
We held meetings with all of the Devolved Administrations, including Scotland, in Cardiff on 8 November, in Brussels at December Council on 11 December and we plan a further meeting in February.
In addition, officials from Defra are in regular contact with officials in Scottish Government regarding plans for the Great Repeal Bill.