Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between George Eustice and Tim Farron

Thursday 17th January 2019 Commons Chamber

[George Eustice]

My hon. Friend makes a very important point. The Government have been absolutely clear that we will not compromise our animal welfare and food safety standards in pursuit of a trade deal.

[Tim Farron (Westmorland and Lonsdale) (LD)]

Hill farmers are essential to our landscape, food production, biodiversity and water management. Does the Minister realise that 91% of hill farm incomes come from the basic payment scheme, which his Government are planning to phase out over the next seven years? Will he therefore commit to a bespoke scheme or set of schemes to support upland farmers and other upland businesses?

[George Eustice]

Upland farmers, including sheep farmers, will be able to readily access many of the public goods listed in clause 1 of the Bill. Organisations such as the Uplands Alliance are very excited about the potential for a new scheme based on payment for the delivery of public goods.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between George Eustice and Tim Farron

Thursday 7th December 2017 Commons Chamber

[George Eustice]

As I have said, we are carrying out this work, but our current assessment is that the impact is marginal. Economists sometimes make the mistake of not taking account of the fact that we have tariff rate quotas—that means that we already have a high degree of tariff-free trade—and the fact that the commodity price represents only a small part of the overall value of the shopping basket.

[Tim Farron (Westmorland and Lonsdale) (LD)]

5. What steps he is taking to ensure the availability of vets for abattoirs after the UK leaves the EU.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between George Eustice and Tim Farron

Thursday 20th July 2017 Commons Chamber

[George Eustice]

We have set out plans in this Session for Bills dealing with trade and customs, and those Bills will address the issues that my hon. Friend has raised. I know that colleagues right across Government are working in a great deal of detail on customs issues to secure an agreement.

[Tim Farron (Westmorland and Lonsdale) (LD)]

9. What his Department’s policy is on farm subsidies after 2020; and if he will make a statement.