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Written question asked by David Drew (Labour) on Monday, 23 July 2018, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 4 September 2018 (named day). It was answered by George Eustice (Conservative) on Tuesday, 4 September 2018 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Food: Production

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to enable technological innovation and productivity to enhance British food production.

Answer

As we leave the EU we want to support farmers to grow more, sell more and export more great British food. We are looking carefully at which policies will support and grow our world leading food and farming industry in a sustainable way that provides added benefits for the environment.

The Rural Development Programme for England includes schemes that provide grants, animal health programmes, and other forms of support to improve the productivity and competitiveness of England’s agriculture sectors, including the poultry sector. The Countryside Productivity Scheme includes the offer of grants towards the costs of innovative technology.

Technological innovation is a key part of this Government’s Industrial Strategy. The £90 million Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund, ‘Transforming Food Production’, will put the UK at the forefront of advanced sustainable agriculture and food production whilst reducing emissions, pollution, waste and soil erosion. Our recent consultations on future agriculture policy also highlighted policy proposals to support research and innovation and knowledge transfer to farms.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
167112
Session
2017-19
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Innovation Food Production Technology Productivity
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk