Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill (Twenty Fifth sitting)

Debate between Greg Smith and Emma Lewell-Buck

Committee stage
Tuesday 18th October 2022 Public Bill Committees

[Mrs Lewell-Buck]

I am not entirely convinced, so I will go away and think about it, but I will not divide the Committee on the new clause today. I beg to ask leave to withdraw the motion.

Clause, by leave, withdrawn.

New Clause 12

Duty to have regard to impacts on UK agriculture, agricultural land and domestic food production

“(1) A relevant authority must, when making policy, have regard to any potential impacts of that policy on the resilience of UK agriculture, agricultural land and domestic food production, and seeking to minimise any adverse such impacts so far as is reasonably practicable.

(2) In this section, a ‘relevant authority’ means—

(a) a Minister of the Crown;

(b) a relevant planning authority (under the meaning in section 81).

(3) In order to comply with the duty under this section, the relevant authority must have regard to—

(a) any impacts the proposal may have on agricultural production in the UK;

(b) any impacts the proposal may have on the area of land available for agricultural production in the UK, including in particular the area of grade 1 and 2 land available for production;

(c) any impacts on the genetic diversity of domestic livestock populations;

(d) the impact on farming in areas of natural constraints including land above the moorland line;

(e) the ability of agricultural producers in the UK to operate competitive businesses;

(f) any impacts on food security; and

(g) any other factor which appears relevant to the relevant authority.

(4) Nothing in subsection (1) requires a relevant authority to do anything (or refrain from doing anything) if doing it (or refraining from doing it) would be in any other way disproportionate to the impact on UK agriculture, agricultural land and domestic food production.

(5) This section does not apply to policy so far as relating to—

(a) the armed forces, defence or national security, or

(b) taxation, spending or the allocation of resources within government;

(c) Wales;

(d) Scotland; or

(e) Northern Ireland.”—(Greg Smith.)

This new clause requires Ministers of the Crown and planning authorities (with a broad definition) to take account of the impact their policies are likely to have on the resilience of the agricultural sector, agricultural land and domestic food production.

Brought up, and read the First time.

[Greg Smith (Buckingham) (Con)]

I beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time.