Asked by: Angela Smith (Liberal Democrat - Penistone and Stocksbridge)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to respond to the European Commission’s infraction procedure on the protection of European blanket bogs from burning in northern England; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Baroness Coffey
The UK has responded to the European Commission’s reasoned opinion of April 2017. A short press release on the reasoned opinion is available on the Commission website.
We do not comment on on-going infraction procedures and as such are unable to provide further detail at this time.
Asked by: Angela Smith (Liberal Democrat - Penistone and Stocksbridge)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the effect on game meat producers of the UK leaving the EU without a deal.
Answered by David Rutley
The Government aims to secure a deep and comprehensive free trade deal with the EU that continues to provide for frictionless, tariff-free trade, supporting the continued success of our agricultural sectors. Our departure from the EU also provides an opportunity for the UK to have an independent trade policy and a new agriculture policy which enables game producers and other sectors to improve their productivity and competitiveness outside of the EU, while also improving our environment. We remain confident in the resilience of our agricultural sectors and their ability to thrive outside of the EU.
Asked by: Angela Smith (Liberal Democrat - Penistone and Stocksbridge)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the level of year-round labour the food and farming sector will require to remain productive and profitable after the UK leaves the EU.
Answered by George Eustice
Defra is considering the latest data, and working with industry to understand labour demand and supply, including both permanent and seasonal workforce requirements.
It is a key priority of this Government to enable an innovative, productive and competitive food supply chain, which invests in its people and skills.
We have announced that the Government will introduce a new pilot scheme for 2019 and 2020 enabling up to 2500 non-EEA migrant workers to come to the UK to undertake seasonal employment in the edible Horticultural sector.
As the UK prepares to leave the EU, Defra is working closely with the Home Office on the UK’s future immigration policy framework. Defra is also working with industry to raise awareness of the career opportunities within the agriculture and food industry to attract domestic workers, and is exploring the potential for innovation and automation in meeting future food and farming labour demands.