Asked by: Paul Girvan (Democratic Unionist Party - South Antrim)
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 has taken to consult the aquaculture sector on the effect of the UK leaving the EU; and what plans his Department has to minimise the effect of the UK leaving the EU on the aquaculture sector.
Answered by George Eustice
Through a number of fora, we have actively engaged with, and will continue to listen to, industry representatives, trade organisations, processors, Non-Government Organisations and the public as the UK leaves the EU. Devolved Administrations will remain fully engaged in the process and we will work with them to deliver a deal that works for the whole of the UK.
Asked by: Paul Girvan (Democratic Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions his Department has had with the representatives of the Northern Ireland Assembly on soil and water pollution from intensive pig and poultry farms.
Answered by Baroness Coffey
None. This is a devolved matter.
Asked by: Paul Girvan (Democratic Unionist Party - South Antrim)
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 plans to take to increase the capacity of smaller farms to compete with large intensive farms.
Answered by George Eustice
There will continue to be a place in UK agriculture for all sustainable production systems that meet our high environmental and welfare standards. We are committed to working with the industry to ensure a vibrant and productive future for all agricultural sectors as we prepare to leave the European Union. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to develop policies that support innovation, increase agricultural productivity, and improve the efficiency with which we use natural resources.