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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to Baroness Batters’ review that outlined 57 recommendations on how the Government and industry can work together to boost growth for farming businesses, what measures are being put in place to deliver the nine actions the Government committed to: Utilising the newly created Farming and Food Partnership Board to develop Sector Growth Plans; Expanding export opportunities; Improving public procurement; Progressing fair dealing regulations and supply chain monitoring, Accelerating planning reform and simplifying regulation, Modernising grant delivery and maintaining investment through ELM schemes, Launching a new collaboration fund and skills strategy, Increasing investment in agri-tech and innovation, and Building frameworks to support private finance for environmental outcomes.

This Government’s response to the Review is already being delivered through the Farming Roadmap and associated measures.

The Farming and Food Partnership Board is bringing Government and industry together to strengthen supply chains and open clearer routes to market. Sector Growth Plans for horticulture and poultry are already in development.

Other measures include the continuing rollout of Sustainable Farming Incentive 26 and Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier; a new Farmer Collaboration Fund and work on skills; increased support for agri-tech innovation; work to develop frameworks to attract private investment into environmental outcomes; and work to ensure the planning system is more supportive of the infrastructure farmers need.