Apr. 30 2024
Source Page: Government makes next set of crucial changes to improve biosecurity at UK's trade borderFound: open to threats from diseases and could do considerable damage to our livelihoods, our economy and our farming
Correspondence Apr. 30 2024
Committee: Windsor Framework Sub-CommitteeFound: Does the Government recog nise the particular problems faced by small farming businesses?
Correspondence Apr. 30 2024
Committee: Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee (Department: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)Found: Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) s cheme The SFI scheme has now received over 15,500 applications
Asked by: Lennon, Monica (Scottish Labour - Central Scotland)
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to conserve and protect the earthworm population in Scotland.
Answered by Fairlie, Jim
The Scottish Government recognises the importance of soil biodiversity including earthworm populations which bring multiple benefits to both Scotland’s ecosystems and natural environment as well as food production.
We are taking steps to protect the health of our soils and thereby protect and conserve earthworms in Scotland. In the Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill, one of the four Objectives is ‘the adoption and use of sustainable and regenerative agricultural practices’, and the Bill states that Scottish Ministers must prepare and publish a Code of Practice providing guidance on sustainable and regenerative agriculture. With actions to promote soil health being the cornerstone of regenerative agriculture, the Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill shows the Scottish Governments clear commitment to soil health.
Further to this, the Agricultural Reform List of Measures published in 2023, were drafted to meet Outcomes that included; improving soil biodiversity, and increase soil carbon/organic matter content. This List of Measures gives an indication of the type of soil health measures that are being developed through the Agricultural Reform Programme that will directly benefit earthworms in Scotland. Support is available to farmers and crofters as part of Preparing for Sustainable Farming?(PSF) which is helping businesses prepare for changes with support for conducting soil sampling and analysis.
Mentions:
1: None There were concerns about the practice of claims farming, which is an example of just the sort of interruption - Speech Link
Apr. 29 2024
Source Page: Rwanda: country policy and information notesFound: Photograph of vegetable farming area: Photograph of livestock farming area: Visit to carpentry
Asked by: Neil Hudson (Conservative - Penrith and The Border)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make an assessment of the accessibility of Universal Credit support for people working in the farming sector.
Answered by Jo Churchill - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
Universal Credit is a 24 hour, seven days a week, digital service that allows customers to manage their own data and account online at a time which is convenient for them. Where a meeting is required, Work Coaches are able to offer multiple appointment channels, including digital, to minimise disruption to business, and ensure any meetings are as convenient as possible.
We are working with the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) to ensure a smooth transition from Tax Credits to Universal Credit, as well as providing Transitional Protection when applicable.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of St Albans (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government when the new Sustainable Farming Incentive and Countryside Stewardship actions can be added to areas already in the Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) agreement, particularly in upland areas where the HLS agreement has a linked Upland Entry Level Stewardship agreement.
Answered by Lord Douglas-Miller - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
We plan to roll out the new combined Sustainable Farming Incentive and Countryside Stewardship offer during 2024, with applications opening from the summer. We will publish more information about this, and how farmers will be able to apply, ahead of applications opening. This will include setting out how farmers with existing Higher Level Stewardship, Countryside Stewardship and Sustainable Farming Incentive agreements will be able to access the new offer.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of St Albans (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government when farmers in existing Higher Level Stewardship, Countryside Stewardship and Sustainable Farming Incentive agreements can transfer to the new offer.
Answered by Lord Douglas-Miller - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
We plan to roll out the new combined Sustainable Farming Incentive and Countryside Stewardship offer during 2024, with applications opening from the summer. We will publish more information about this, and how farmers will be able to apply, ahead of applications opening. This will include setting out how farmers with existing Higher Level Stewardship, Countryside Stewardship and Sustainable Farming Incentive agreements will be able to access the new offer.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of St Albans (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government when guidance for the Sustainable Farming Incentive online application portal will be set out.
Answered by Lord Douglas-Miller - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
We plan to roll out the new combined Sustainable Farming Incentive and Countryside Stewardship offer during 2024, with applications opening from the summer. We will publish more information about this, and how farmers will be able to apply, ahead of applications opening. This will include setting out how farmers with existing Higher Level Stewardship, Countryside Stewardship and Sustainable Farming Incentive agreements will be able to access the new offer.