(Isle of Wight) (Con): Is the
Secretary of State aware that providing modest support for
small-scale farmers could be extremely valuable? That is part of my
campaign for an Island deal similar to the one enjoyed by the
Scottish islands. It could include support for small-scale
abattoirs or humane slaughter on farms, which is the most humane
way of slaughtering animals for human consumption, as well as milk
storage, grain storage and vegetable box erectors on the Island.
Those would work for not only my patch but many other parts of the
United Kingdom. How will this excellent Bill help? Will she come to
the Isle of Wight to talk to my farmers and see that for herself?
The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
(): I would be
delighted to meet my hon. Friend to discuss those important
suggestions, and I would be more than happy to visit his
constituency...
(Clwyd West) (Con):...I
strongly welcome and support the Bill, which ensures the
Government’s continued support for all those across the United
Kingdom whose livelihoods depend on the agricultural sector. It
provides certainty and I am sure great reassurance to farmers
across the country. I represent a Welsh constituency with a
strong agricultural heritage in which a great deal of economic
activity and employment are linked to and depend on farming,
particularly livestock farming. Indeed, the importance of
livestock farming to my constituents is such that the decision to
include within the Bill changes to the red meat levy will be
greatly appreciated. The current system of levy is seriously
flawed, in that it depends entirely upon the location of
the slaughterhouse rather than the
place of production. In north Wales, the decline in the number of
slaughterhouses means that animals reared in north Wales are
increasingly sent to England for slaughter. The consequence has
been a severe loss of income to the Welsh meat promotion entity,
Hybu Cig Cymru, and therefore a reduction in its ability to
promote Welsh meat, which is, of course, among the finest in the
world...
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