Statement on the Agriculture Bill from Fay Jones MP
The Agriculture Bill is the first chance the UK Government has had to shape its own agriculture policy in over 40 years. We now can bring in innovative new ideas to support investment in healthy, sustainable British food production and do much better for farming, the environment and animal welfare.
Through my role as the Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, I am proud to have played a part in drafting and shaping the Bill. The new Bill will allow the UK to move to a system of paying farmers public money for public goods including environmental protection, access to the countryside, and work to reduce flooding. It will champion British food by improving transparency and fairness in the supply chain and through investing in new technology and research to ensure our food producers remain competitive and innovative.
In recent weeks, I have held several meetings with local stakeholders including the Brecon and Radnorshire branches of the National Farmers Union, the Farmers Union of Wales and environmental organisations such as Greenpeace. We discussed a number of the amendments that had been tabled and I explained why I would be supporting the Government if any were to come to a vote. NC1 was withdrawn prior to a vote and NC2 was voted down.
This Bill sets out future agricultural policy for England. It does not cover international trade. Had the new clauses passed, they would have undermined the trade deals we currently have in place and seek to undermine our ability to reach a trade deal with the European Union – the biggest and most important market for Welsh agricultural produce.
I have spoken at length with the Secretary of State for International Trade about our future trading arrangements. I continue to press the importance of domestic production. I can assure that any material threat to undermine the way in which our farmers produce food will be met with hostility from the Conservative benches – and especially from me.
I was elected on a manifesto commitment to protect UK agricultural standards by a constituency which largely relies on farming. I am convinced that the Government is keeping to that promise however I will continue to use the role I have within Defra to ensure that this remains the case.
Fay Jones MP
Member of Parliament for Brecon and Radnorshire