Extracts from second reading debate (Commons) of the Agriculture Bill - Feb 3
Tuesday, 4 February 2020 08:15
Bill Wiggin (North Herefordshire) (Con):...I am slightly worried
about the red meat levy, because of course I care very much about
native breeds, provision for which in the Bill is welcome. However,
as with “pasture-fed”, there is an issue with the definition of
what native breeds are—pedigree or cross-bred. The figure of 51% is
not adequate: we need to amend that part of DEFRA legislation to
ensure that pasture herd farmers are getting the rewards that they
richly deserve. As the...Request free
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(North Herefordshire)
(Con):...I am slightly worried about the red meat levy, because of
course I care very much about native breeds, provision for which in
the Bill is welcome. However, as with “pasture-fed”, there is an
issue with the definition of what native breeds are—pedigree or
cross-bred. The figure of 51% is not adequate: we need to amend
that part of DEFRA legislation to ensure that pasture herd farmers
are getting the rewards that they richly deserve. As the National
Trust found, grass-fed beef production does not just reduce
greenhouse gas emissions; when carbon sequestration and storage are
considered, it is actually a carbon net gain. The nonsense from the
hon. Member for Swansea West (), who intervened earlier,
should be put to one side. The bit of the Bill that encourages
organic production should be welcomed. This excellent Bill is good
for my constituents, good for their food and great for our
country...
(Delyn) (Con):...The “State
of Nature” report by the National Trust found that 41% of species
have experienced decline since 1970 and about a third of wild bee
populations are decreasing, much to the frustration of my
constituent Jonathan Thomas, who has a business producing local
honey. Jon got in touch with me recently regarding this Bill, in
the hope that it would produce a fairer system for farmers that
incentivised them to promote biodiversity and assist in stemming
the tide of this massive loss of bees...
To read the whole debate, CLICK
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