Tag: farming

Bishop of St Albans speaks in support of farming families and communities

The Bishop of St Albans spoke in a debate on the continuity of farming families on 21st November 2024, highlighting the levels of stress among farmers and the need to reconcile raising revenue with supporting farming communities:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: My Lords, I too congratulate the noble Baroness, Lady Northover, on securing this debate. I declare my interests as president of the Rural Coalition and a vice-president of the LGA. I am a farmer’s son, and one of the great privileges of my job serving in a diocese that covers Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire is going into some of the most wonderful, forward-looking and innovative farms in this country, which are at the forefront of farming across Europe.

Even though there are many successful, go-ahead farmers, there is nevertheless a huge level of mental stress among them. That has been true for many years. Sadly, there is an extraordinarily high number of suicides among the farming community. As one elderly farmer put it, “Many of us are feeling so depressed because these announcements suggest that we are not wanted and are worth more dead than alive”. He pointed out that if he manages to die before April 2026, his assets will be passed on; if he does not, the farm will probably not survive.

Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans speaks in support of farming families and communities”

Autumn Budget: Bishop of Newcastle urges government to consider effects on vulnerable groups

The Bishop of Newcastle spoke in a debate on the autumn budget on 11th November 2024, urging the government to carefully consider the impact of the budget on vulnerable groups:

The Lord Bishop of Newcastle: My Lords, I feel my B in GCSE maths is challenging my ability to speak with any fiscal authority in this debate, but I am glad of the opportunity to do so. I offer my congratulations to the noble Lord, Lord Booth-Smith, on his excellent maiden speech and I welcome him to your Lordships’ House.

I recognise that the decisions the Chancellor has made have not been easy, but balanced alongside the Government’s long-term priorities we must consider how this Budget will serve the needs of people who are struggling today, and affect what surely must be a significant long-term ambition—perhaps I can use the word “mission”—to improve social cohesion.

Continue reading “Autumn Budget: Bishop of Newcastle urges government to consider effects on vulnerable groups”

Crown Estate Bill: Bishop of Manchester supports amendment on fish-farming regulations

On 5th November 2024, the House of Lords debated amendments to the Crown Estate Bill. The Bishop of Manchester spoke in support of an amendment tabled by Lord Forsyth of Drumlean on regulations around salmon farming on the Estate:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: My Lords, just briefly, I add to the wide range of support that the noble Lord, Lord Forsyth, has had on this amendment some from our Benches here.

Continue reading “Crown Estate Bill: Bishop of Manchester supports amendment on fish-farming regulations”

Bishop of St Albans asks about effects of new tax rules on farmers

The Bishop of St Albans asked a question on farmers concerns regarding new inheritance tax regulations on 5th November 2024, following repeat of a Commons Urgent Question on the effects of the budget on farming communities:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: My Lords, can the Minister help us a little? The Treasury figures state that fewer than 25% of farm businesses will be affected by the changes to APR on inheritance tax. However, the NFU estimates that up to half of all working farms could be impacted by the new tax rules. Why is there such a large discrepancy? Can she help us to understand what is going on?

Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks about effects of new tax rules on farmers”

Bishop of St Albans asks about environmental issues in retail and industry

The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answers on 21st October 2024:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the issue of ‘farmwashing’ by retailers; and what steps they intend to take to tackle this issue.

Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks about environmental issues in retail and industry”

Bishop of St Albans leads debate on support and compensation for farmers

The Bishop of St Albans led a debate on support and compensation for farmers affected by flooding on 10th October 2024:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to ensure farmers are supported and recompensed for their role in flood prevention.

My Lords, I am grateful to all Members of your Lordships’ House who have signed up for this topical debate, giving us a few minutes to explore the extraordinary challenges that flooding is causing for our farming community.

Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans leads debate on support and compensation for farmers”

Bishop of St Albans asks about sustainable farming and countryside stewardship programmes

The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer on 29th April 2024:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government:

  •  when they will publish further information on the combined Sustainable Farming Incentive and Countryside Stewardship offer.
  • when farmers will be able to apply for the new combined Sustainable Farming Incentive and Countryside Stewardship offer.
  • when guidance for the Sustainable Farming Incentive online application portal will be set out.
  •  when farmers in existing Higher Level Stewardship, Countryside Stewardship and Sustainable Farming Incentive agreements can transfer to the new offer.
  • 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.
Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks about sustainable farming and countryside stewardship programmes”

Bishop of Newcastle speaks on debate on horticultural sector

The Bishop of Newcastle spoke in a debate on a report from the Horticulture Sector Committee on 19th April 2024, with a focus on the welfare of seasonal workers and the benefits of promoting connections with nature:

The Lord Bishop of Newcastle: My Lords, I thank the members of the Horticultural Sector Committee for their work in producing a thorough report highlighting the challenges that this undervalued sector experiences. I also thank the noble Lord, Lord Redesdale, for his excellent summary when opening this debate. It is an honour to follow the noble Earl, Lord Caithness.

My understanding of this sector has been greatly helped by conversations with horticultural business owner Matt Naylor in south Lincolnshire, whom I met at the Oxford Farming Conference a few years ago. Listening to Matt has brought home to me the immense obstacles that the horticultural sector has faced in recent years. As other noble Lords have indicated, the sector is not in isolation from the totality of the farming and agricultural sector. To ensure food security for the future, of which horticultural activity is an integral part, we need joined-up, long-term thinking. I share the disappointment of noble Lords in this debate that the Government scrapped their plans last year to publish a horticultural strategy for England.

I want to focus my remarks on two issues. The reality of the seasonal work that the sector requires is not suited to most UK residents, resulting in a reliance on migrant seasonal workers. Without them, the industry could not function. However, their working arrangements often place them in positions of vulnerability. As evidence to the committee revealed, their protection under UK employment law is frequently not upheld. Seasonal workers often face abuse and poor pay and working conditions. I agree with the remarks made by the noble Baroness, Lady Bennett, on this matter.

Continue reading “Bishop of Newcastle speaks on debate on horticultural sector”

Bishop of St Albans asks about impact of the agricultural transition on food production and farm business viability

The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer on 15th April 2024:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government whether they will undertake an assessment of the impact of the agricultural transition on food production and farm business viability.

Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks about impact of the agricultural transition on food production and farm business viability”

Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich asks about environmental land management and sustainable farming initiatives

The Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich asked a question on ongoing assessment of environmental land management and sustainable farming schemes during a discussion on food security on 26th March 2024:

The Lord Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich: My Lords, I indicate my interests as listed in the register and pay tribute to farmers. As the Minister has said, the priorities are food production and environmental quality, including rebuilding biodiversity, restoring clean air and water and prioritising the rebuilding of healthy soils. What ongoing assessment is being made of the current ELMS and SFI programmes to meet these aims?

Continue reading “Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich asks about environmental land management and sustainable farming initiatives”