Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans he has to assist local authorities in the management of their county council smallholding estates for the benefit of new entrant and progressing farmers.

I value the contribution council farms make as a way into farming for new entrants and progressing farmers. As set out in our Health and Harmony Policy Statement in September 2018, we are considering how to help Local Authorities who want to invest in their Council Farms, so that they offer real opportunities for new farmers to start a foundation business and gain the experience they need to progress onto a larger unit.