MPs’ Round-Up

MPs’ round-up Farmers need clarity with new era of global trade

We are fortunate to be surrounded by sumptuous nature. Each market town with its myriad charms, its unique character and sense of permanence is – to paraphrase Shakespeare – a little world. A precious stone set in the green sea. And as I’m sure you’ll have spotted, we’ve just enjoyed Great British Beef Week. Though perhaps I should clarify. Not beef as in grievance (which certainly wouldn’t be a great week), but beef as in what comes from the farms encircling us. So in Parliament we debated the successes and challenges ahead for farming. As for us all, the past year has meant unprecedented times for farmers, so I grabbed the opportunity to pay tribute to Somerset’s farming community in rising to these challenges. When we feared shops would run dry of produce early in the pandemic, our food producers ensured that fears were assuaged and demand was met. But it’s not just food production. Travelling through the glorious Somerset countryside, it’s impossible not to marvel at the contribution that farmers make to managing our landscape. It’s interesting to highlight just some of the ways our farming is among the most sustainable in the world. To scatter examples into the wind, the greenhouse gas footprint of UK milk production is just 40% of the global average and British dairy and beef aims to be, and is fully on track to be, carbon neutral by 2040. Staggeringly, over the last 40 years, farmers across the country have increased woodland areas equivalent to four times the size of Greater London. I could go in, but I’ll spare you for now. Because, in addition, farming burns a fierce flame under our rural economy. The new and snappily titled Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership offers a wealth of opportunity across the Asian, American and Australasian continents, with lucrative markets for our produce. While we want trade partnerships though, they must not be at the expense of food standards for our own imports. I’ve voted consistently to enshrine the Government’s guarantee of no decline in standards into law and I’ll continue to do so, while appreciating government concerns around the wording of the legislation. But we need certainly and clarity. Given the political seismic shifts over the past few years, it’s been harder than ever for Somerset’s farmers – and, indeed, for most of us – to see with clarity. I hope the Government hears us and smooths the path to give our farmers clear sight of the future. The future is bright, but these have been dark times, and we have to light the way carefully and clearly.

Somerton & Frome MP David Warburton

Golden opportunity to rebuild food chain

Global logistics and ‘just in time’ procurement is all very well but an early lesson from the covid crisis has been the importance of solid supply chains. In the case of food, this means having greater selfsufficiency so that Britain is resilient in the face of events. Panic buying triggered by the pandemic saw shelves depleted, notably of staples like fruit and veg. Unhelpfully, the UK only produces 18% of its fruit needs and 55 per cent of its vegetables. Overall, our food selfsufficiency sits at 64 per cent. Interestingly, despite the rising population but with a nod to increased agricultural efficiency, that’s a rise against pre-war levels of 40 er cent. Strict rationing was required for many years, reflecting an over reliance on imports. But it is also a drop since 1984, when our levels sat at 78 per cent. Brexit and covid are not the only incentives to improve our domestic agricultural yield. The UK’s hosting of COP26 presents opportunities for the Government to integrate its green agenda with food security. Last week I met virtually with members of the local NFU. Minette Batters, the NFU President, has said: “The entire economy is now aiming to build back better, to build back greener. British farming can be central to that green recovery. We have a golden opportunity to place food security at the centre of our food system and become a global leader in sustainable food production.” I agree and, observing that farming must remain principally about food production, not park keeping, believe that farmer businesses are central to a net zero carbon, greener future. The Environmental Land Management scheme is the cornerstone of the UK’s new agricultural policy. It is intended as a vehicle for achieving the goals of the 25 Year Environment Plan and a commitment to net zero emissions by 2050, while supporting the rural economy. Under the scheme, farmers and land managers will be paid to improve the environment, promote animal health and welfare, and cut carbon. All of this, I very much hope, without undermining the competitive positive of the UK agri-food sector in selling domestically and exporting produce. On food security, the Government has commissioned a two-part independent review, entitled the National Food Strategy. This will feed into a policy White Paper outlining what action ministers propose taking. I will be watching for this closely since the primary purpose of farming must remain food, and at a price my constituents can afford.

MP for South West Wiltshire Dr Andrew Murrison

MPs’ round-up There’s never been more fluidity among voters

As I type the results of so-called Super Thursday are pouring in when the largest set of elections have taken place since the General Election of 2019. As someone who knocked on his first door to canvass a voter in 1985 I think I can say that no one could have predicted the results we are seeing and the change in outlook from the electorate towards politics and the political parties. There will be volumes written about it I am sure but one thing I know is this: that the times change and if politicians, parties and policies don’t they are doomed. I have never known greater fluidity in the mood and mind of the voters. Ancient electoral allegiances are under challenge as never before and, as a result, new ones are being forged. Having grown up in South Wales I remember hearing time after time: ‘my grandfather/ father/grandmother/mother would turn in their graves if I didn’t vote Labour’. That was replicated in spades in the North East dominated as it was by heavy, unionised industry. When a party in Government takes a seat from the Official Opposition in a Parliamentary byelection 11 years into a Tory MP carrying the keys of Downing Street in their back pocket, you know there’s a political earthquake underway. I remember Newbury, Christchurch, Mid Staffs, Eastbourne. Strong Tory seats which fell to opposition parties. Governments lose by-elections. Governments lose councils and councillors (I all too well remember when Buckinghamshire was the only Tory controlled county council). So, all I can safely say is that we are in a state of flux. What many people saw as a flash in the pan in December 2019 now seems to be a trend which is becoming entrenched. n One of the key political issues for me as a Conservative & Unionist is the integrity and maintenance of the unity of our United Kingdom. As I write we await the results of the Scottish and Welsh elections and the respective fate of the Unionists and the Separatists. While those are unknown what I do know is that the tapestry threads of the Union have never been under greater strain. The maintenance of the Union is as important to us here in Dorset as anywhere else in the country. Our strength, influence, our power to do things, to turn the dial on issues, to lead changes on the international stage come about by the differences of the UK united as a compelling geopolitical entity and acting under the motivations of our shared vision and values. I chair the Northern Ireland Affairs Select Committee in the Commons and there are changes happening to the outlook and demographics of NI. But while change per se is inevitable, what the changes are can be sculpted and directed. Politicians and the politics of politics must grasp the opportunity to make the case to the younger and next generation of the vital importance and benefits of all that the UK represents. That job needs doing not just in NI, Wales and Scotland but in England too. We must steer clear from a sliding into English nationalism – the ‘if you think you can thrive without us, go! Have a try!’ school of thought. That, in my considered judgement, is not in the interests of any of us. The problems we wrestle with both here at home and internationally are best faced into as an United Kingdom. The positive case – economic, cultural, values, diplomatic are attractive ones. Let’s make them with energy.

MP for North Dorset Simon Hoare

My next step will be to end non-stun slaughter

The new law I introduced to Parliament – the Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Act – has been given Royal Assent by Her Majesty the Queen. Those who abuse animals will now face proportionate justice for their crimes. As a nation of animal lovers, I know there will be millions across the United Kingdom as proud as I am that this is now law. My greater mission to improve the welfare of animals in this country will now focus on ending live animal exports. I do not believe farmers have any wish to see their animals crammed on to ships for unnecessary long-distance transportation. The third step will be to end the brutal act of non-stun slaughter, which is an inhumane practice totally out of closure due to the pandemic. Having grown up in the rural fringes of Sherborne, I know the importance of maintaining services like this to so many people. n I met residents living near some of West Dorset’s busiest roads to discuss the impact of speeding, and measures that could be taken to mitigate it. This issue is particularly serious along the A30 between Sherborne and Yeovil. As summer approaches, we need to do all we can to ensure our streets and roads are safe for everyone. n Several recruiters from West Dorset have contacted me with concerns over the lack of applications to jobs that are vacant. I would encourage anyone job searching to

MP for West Dorset Chris Loder

of place in the 21st century. n After a year of campaigning, the minor injuries unit at Sherborne’s Yeatman Hospital will be reopening on June 21. Patients will now be able to access this vital service after over a year consider the opportunities in our food production and hospitality sectors, with roles to suit different skillsets and many progression opportunities to climb the career ladder. Contact details for recruitment agencies such as Frontline Recruitment are easily accessible online, with staff able to match you up to the most suitable work opportunity for you. n And finally, I challenged the BBC last week over saying to children that they can only get a Blue Peter green badge if they stopped eating meat. Stopping plastic use, walking rather than driving, reducing power use would be great options, but I do not support the BBC’s approach and so have written to them about it. 73