Agriculture Bill speech

Yesterday was the vote on the Agriculture Bill. I put in to speak in the debate I was disappointed to not have been selected to do so.

Below is the brief speech I intended to give on why this Bill is so important:

This Bill is an opportunity to shape our farming sector for the better.

As we leave the EU and strike new trade deals around the world, we must ensure that farming is protected and that standards are not allowed to slip. 

Protecting our farming sector, trading globally, and ensuring that high standards are maintained should not be mutually exclusive. A good Bill should be able to achieve all three.

I have been inundated by letters and emails from constituents about this Bill. I'm somewhat amazed that - for once - people seem to be speaking with one voice. There is no other side to this debate.

Many have spoken about the environment today. I’m very proud of the work that this Government has done in leading the world in our work on environmental protections. This Bill should be applauded for building on that and asking that environmental benefits delivered by the farming industry are properly recognised.

But we need to look beyond that and secure the best mechanism to ensure that our domestic agricultural industry thrives and is sustainable long into the future, whilst also being able to show real leadership on the global stage by promoting high animal welfare, environmental and food safety standards abroad.

We have a remarkable agricultural sector - and Furness' farmers are a key part of it. I want to see our farming industry thrive, with food production at its heart. That means ensuring strong market opportunities here and abroad.

There are two amendments to this Bill which I would like to address - New Clause 1 and New Clause 2. They appear on the face of it to be very attractive. But the key question is: are their aims already covered within this Bill, and would they be achievable, legally binding and enforceable on the world stage?

I am grateful for the time and support of my Rt Hon Friend the Environment Secretary, and also the International Trade Secretary, who spoke to me personally on these points and provided reassurances.

It is clear that as attractive as these clauses may be, they would be deemed as a violation of the World Trade Organisation’s Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement. Therefore they would be totally unworkable. 

Like my local farmers and constituents, I want to see a thriving domestic agricultural industry which is not undercut by cheap foreign imports, whilst at the same time promoting our high animal welfare, environmental and food standards abroad. 

We won't get there by adopting amendments which are neither workable nor enforceable through domestic policy. So, it is clear that other mechanisms for achieving all of these aims must be achieved. 

The Secretary of State for International Trade was explicit yesterday at the Dispatch Box - the UK will not lower our food import standards as a result of the ongoing US trade deal. In conversation with her I sought further assurances and was reassured that our strong animal welfare, environmental and food safety standards will not be compromised. I am grateful for these assurances and look forward to making sure that they are upheld.

There are better ways to ensure we have the rigorous standards we all want than by blocking trade deals. We should dramatically improve labelling to encourage educated consumer choice. We should maintain our import standards. And we should actively challenge each trade deal which comes before the House to scrutinise its effect on food security, standards and the farming industry. Those which weaken these measures in any way should be voted down.

So, I am not of the belief that NC1 of NC2 would benefit either our farming sector, or consumers. Despite their good intentions, they run the risk of hobbling our current and future trade potential. Right now we must support our farming industry and not limit opportunities for it in the future.

I want the UK food sector to make a big and positive impact on the world stage. I believe that this Bill is a step towards that and offers the protections which the sector and consumers need and deserve. By getting that fine balance right we can bring prosperity and opportunity for the British farming industry.

Thank you.