Asked by: John Milne (Liberal Democrat - Horsham)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of potential economic impact of the closure of small and medium-sized abattoirs on (a) farmers, (b) abattoir owners, (c) food producers and (d) consumers in the South East.
Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Small and medium abattoirs play an important role in supporting regional food systems, providing routes to market for local food producers, particularly for native and rare breeds, and sustaining diversity in the meat processing sector. The closure of several smaller abattoirs in recent years has resulted in some farmers having to find alternative slaughter facilities. This has not impacted national food security or food supply for consumers including those based in the South East of England. The national abattoir network remains resilient, continuing to deliver high-quality and safe meat products.
Defra works closely with industry stakeholders including farmers, abattoir owners and food producers through the Small Abattoirs Working Group and the Small Abattoirs Task and Finish Group. These groups bring together government and industry representatives on a regular basis and provide a forum for identifying the challenges and opportunities the sector faces, and for collaborating on practical solutions.
Asked by: John Milne (Liberal Democrat - Horsham)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions she has had with the National Farmers’ Union on small and medium sized abattoirs.
Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Defra engages regularly with a number of key stakeholders, including the National Farmers’ Union, to discuss a wide range of farming issues which are important to both producers and processors.
Defra officials continue to work closely with small and medium sized abattoir sector stakeholders particularly through the Small Abattoirs Working Group, of which the National Farmers’ Union is a member. This group provides a platform for the industry to raise the key challenges and opportunities that the sector faces directly with the Department.
Asked by: John Milne (Liberal Democrat - Horsham)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to ensure hunting laws are applied.
Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The enforcement of the Hunting Act is an operational matter for the police. This is in line with their duties to keep the peace, protect communities and prevent the commission of offences, working within the provisions of the legal framework set by Parliament.
Asked by: John Milne (Liberal Democrat - Horsham)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of agri-environment agreements that are due to expire in 2025 without being replaced on her environmental targets.
Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Defra are offering a one-year extension to more than 5,000 farmers whose Countryside Stewardship Mid-Tier (CS MT) agreements are due to expire on 31 December this year. This targeted, time-limited extension is being offered, whilst we develop the reformed Sustainable Farming Incentive for 2026, and refresh the Environmental Improvement Plan and roll out the new Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier. The one-off investment of £70m (from within existing budgets) will allow farmers to continue their vital role in sustainable food production and nature’s recovery. Ministers will now review plans for the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), to ensure the available funding is distributed more efficiently and more fairly.
Asked by: John Milne (Liberal Democrat - Horsham)
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 Rural Payments Agency plans to take to help support people with expiring agri-environment agreements to enter new agreements.
Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Defra are offering a one-year extension to more than 5,000 farmers whose Countryside Stewardship Mid-Tier (CS MT) agreements are due to expire on 31 December this year. This targeted, time-limited extension is being offered, whilst we develop the reformed Sustainable Farming Incentive for 2026, and refresh the Environmental Improvement Plan and roll out the new Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier. The one-off investment of £70m (from within existing budgets) will allow farmers to continue their vital role in sustainable food production and nature’s recovery. Ministers will now review plans for the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), to ensure the available funding is distributed more efficiently and more fairly.
Asked by: John Milne (Liberal Democrat - Horsham)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department plans to provide funding to help support people with expiring agri-environment agreements to enter new agreements.
Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Defra are offering a one-year extension to more than 5,000 farmers whose Countryside Stewardship Mid-Tier (CS MT) agreements are due to expire on 31 December this year. This targeted, time-limited extension is being offered, whilst we develop the reformed Sustainable Farming Incentive for 2026, and refresh the Environmental Improvement Plan and roll out the new Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier. The one-off investment of £70m (from within existing budgets) will allow farmers to continue their vital role in sustainable food production and nature’s recovery. Ministers will now review plans for the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), to ensure the available funding is distributed more efficiently and more fairly.
Asked by: John Milne (Liberal Democrat - Horsham)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to help support the holders of agri-environment agreements that expire in 2025 to access new agreements.
Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Defra are offering a one-year extension to more than 5,000 farmers whose Countryside Stewardship Mid-Tier (CS MT) agreements are due to expire on 31 December this year. This targeted, time-limited extension is being offered, whilst we develop the reformed Sustainable Farming Incentive for 2026, and refresh the Environmental Improvement Plan and roll out the new Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier. The one-off investment of £70m (from within existing budgets) will allow farmers to continue their vital role in sustainable food production and nature’s recovery. Ministers will now review plans for the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), to ensure the available funding is distributed more efficiently and more fairly.
Asked by: John Milne (Liberal Democrat - Horsham)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much and what proportion of her Department's agricultural budget for the 2026-27 financial year will be spent on existing multi-year agri-environment agreements.
Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
We are investing £2.7 billion a year into sustainable food production and nature's recovery. Overall, farmers and land managers will benefit from an average of £2.3 billion a year through the Farming and Countryside Programme. And up to £400 million from additional nature schemes, including those for tree planting and peatland restorations. Funding for the Environmental Land Management schemes paid to farmers, which includes multi-annual agri-environment agreements, will increase by 150% from £800 billion in 2023/24 to £2 billion by 2028/29.
Defra manages the farming budget flexibly. To respond to demand and achieve our intended outcomes for farm productivity, environment, climate and animal health and welfare.
In line with its obligations under the Agriculture Act 2020, Defra regularly publishes an annual report, setting out commitments in the previous financial year, including FCP spend broken down by each scheme.
Asked by: John Milne (Liberal Democrat - Horsham)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she has had recent discussions with relevant stakeholders on the potential merits of implementing a one-year rollover for agri-environment agreements that are due to expire in 2025.
Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Defra are offering a one-year extension to more than 5,000 farmers whose Countryside Stewardship Mid-Tier (CS MT) agreements are due to expire on 31 December this year. This targeted, time-limited extension is being offered, whilst we develop the reformed Sustainable Farming Incentive for 2026, and refresh the Environmental Improvement Plan and roll out the new Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier. The one-off investment of £70m (from within existing budgets) will allow farmers to continue their vital role in sustainable food production and nature’s recovery. Ministers will now review plans for the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), to ensure the available funding is distributed more efficiently and more fairly.
Asked by: John Milne (Liberal Democrat - Horsham)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of agri-environment agreements that are due to expire in 2025 without being replaced on farm business cashflow.
Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Defra are offering a one-year extension to more than 5,000 farmers whose Countryside Stewardship Mid-Tier (CS MT) agreements are due to expire on 31 December this year. This targeted, time-limited extension is being offered, whilst we develop the reformed Sustainable Farming Incentive for 2026, and refresh the Environmental Improvement Plan and roll out the new Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier. The one-off investment of £70m (from within existing budgets) will allow farmers to continue their vital role in sustainable food production and nature’s recovery. Ministers will now review plans for the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), to ensure the available funding is distributed more efficiently and more fairly.