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Lord Davies of Oldham
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Davies of Oldham, Lord (27)
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To ask Her Majesty's Government where the BMW bicycles for use by athletes and officials at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games will be manufactured.
To ask Her Majesty's Government where the BMW bicycles for use by athletes and officials at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games will be manufactured.
Asked by
Lord Berkeley
(Labour)
Answered by
Lord Davies of Oldham
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
3 March 2010
The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) competitively tendered for the automobile partner sponsorship category. The successful company, BMW, included in its deal a small number of bicycles for use by both elite athletes and LOCOG staff at Games time. This was in addition to a significant financial contribution towards LOCOG's budget for staging the Games. The production of the bicycles is likely to be within the EU.
LOCOG is responsible for staging the London 2012 Games, and needs to raise its £2 billion budget through sponsorship, tickets, merchandise and licensing and media rights.
Subjects
Bicycles; Production; BMW; Olympic Games 2012
Date
3 March 2010
Reference
1903; 717 c353WA
House
House of Lords
The Government aim to ensure that we have a thriving, competitive and sustainable agri-food sector. Reforming the CAP will improve the industry’s ability to respond to consumer demand. Our Food 2030 strategy explained that we are also providing funding to increase industry competiveness through the rural development programme for England, funding scientific research into increasing food production sustainably, and working with industry to improve skills across the food chain, tackle climate change issues and reduce regulatory burdens.
The Government aim to ensure that we have a thriving, competitive and sustainable agri-food sector. Reforming the CAP will improve the industry’s ability to respond to consumer demand. Our Food 2030 strategy explained that we are also providing funding to increase industry competiveness through the rural development programme for England, funding scientific research into increasing food production sustainably, and working with industry to improve skills across the food chain, tackle climate change issues and reduce regulatory burdens.
Answered by
Lord Davies of Oldham
(Labour)
Asked by
Baroness Byford
(Conservative)
Type
Oral answers to questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to increase food production in the United Kingdom.
Subjects
Agriculture; Food; Production
Date
3 February 2010
Reference
717 c191
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, the noble Lord must not make too much of this point of self-sufficiency because there has never been, and never will be, a Conservative Administration which could make us 100 per cent self-sufficient in food. The noble Lord will have recognised that in the past decade there have been increases in self-sufficiency to the extent that we are more self-sufficient now than we were in the late 1950s and 1960s. However, our food strategy has to encompass the basic fact that Britain is in a world market for food, both in terms of what we export and what we import, and that will continue to be the case under any administration, however distant a Conservative Administration might be.
My Lords, the noble Lord must not make too much of this point of self-sufficiency because there has never been, and never will be, a Conservative Administration which could make us 100 per cent self-sufficient in food. The noble Lord will have recognised that in the past decade there have been increases in self-sufficiency to the extent that we are more self-sufficient now than we were in the late 1950s and 1960s. However, our food strategy has to encompass the basic fact that Britain is in a world market for food, both in terms of what we export and what we import, and that will continue to be the case under any administration, however distant a Conservative Administration might be.
Answered by
Lord Davies of Oldham
(Labour)
Asked by
Lord Taylor of Holbeach
(Conservative)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, I am a farmer and a grower so I have an interest. The Minister will be well aware that self-sufficiency in the food we produce here has shown a chronic and persistent decline over the past 10 years of roughly 1 per cent per annum. To coin a phrase, we can't go on like this. Who does the Minister blame for this-the farmers, the weather, or the Government's lack of interest?
Subjects
Agriculture; Food; Production
Date
3 February 2010
Reference
717 c193-4
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, we are pursuing this issue with considerable energy. I make the obvious point that some regulations are essential. A substantial amount of the pollutants in our water comes from farms, so regulation is necessary there. Of course, some regulations result from European directives and we seek to bring pressure to reduce their impact. I agree with the noble Baroness that we should work with the industry to reduce regulation.
My Lords, we are pursuing this issue with considerable energy. I make the obvious point that some regulations are essential. A substantial amount of the pollutants in our water comes from farms, so regulation is necessary there. Of course, some regulations result from European directives and we seek to bring pressure to reduce their impact. I agree with the noble Baroness that we should work with the industry to reduce regulation.
Answered by
Lord Davies of Oldham
(Labour)
Asked by
Baroness Byford
(Conservative)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, I thank the Minister for that response. Might I refer him to his point about reducing regulatory burdens? Is he not appalled that Defra has failed to reach its target of a 25 per cent reduction in administrative burdens for farmers, and has achieved only a 16 per cent reduction this year? What is the department doing about that?
Subjects
Agriculture; Food; Production
Date
3 February 2010
Reference
717 c191-2
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, food provision across the whole world would be improved if waste was reduced. The more advanced countries are more culpable in this respect. The noble Lord will know of the pressure that has been exerted on supermarkets with regard to their waste, and their response to it, one aspect of which is looking at the absurdity of sell-by dates which lead to some perfectly edible food being wasted. The noble Lord is at one with the Government in our determination to reduce food waste. In a world where some are going hungry, it is scandalous that we should have the levels of waste that we have in this country and in other advanced countries.
My Lords, food provision across the whole world would be improved if waste was reduced. The more advanced countries are more culpable in this respect. The noble Lord will know of the pressure that has been exerted on supermarkets with regard to their waste, and their response to it, one aspect of which is looking at the absurdity of sell-by dates which lead to some perfectly edible food being wasted. The noble Lord is at one with the Government in our determination to reduce food waste. In a world where some are going hungry, it is scandalous that we should have the levels of waste that we have in this country and in other advanced countries.
Answered by
Lord Davies of Oldham
(Labour)
Asked by
Lord Greaves
(Liberal Democrat)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, noble Lords make good points about food production but the other side of exactly the same coin is the amount of food that is wasted. It is estimated that up to half the food produced in developed countries is not consumed as a result of households throwing it away, supermarkets throwing it away unsold, and restaurants throwing it away. It is estimated that perhaps a third of the fruit and vegetables grown in this country never reaches consumers. Is this not an absolute scandal and would not food security in this country be dramatically improved if waste was cut down?
Subjects
Agriculture; Food; Production
Date
3 February 2010
Reference
717 c192
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, this is part of a longer run strategy that we outlined with regard to the progress of our industry up to 2030, but the right reverend Prelate is absolutely right that this is an area in which we continually need to exert pressure. I assure him that he is speaking along exactly the lines which the Government intend to pursue in terms of policy.
My Lords, this is part of a longer run strategy that we outlined with regard to the progress of our industry up to 2030, but the right reverend Prelate is absolutely right that this is an area in which we continually need to exert pressure. I assure him that he is speaking along exactly the lines which the Government intend to pursue in terms of policy.
Answered by
Lord Davies of Oldham
(Labour)
Asked by
Bishop of Blackburn
(Bishops (affiliation))
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, Food 2030 identifies that public sector food contracts need to be made more accessible to small local businesses and social enterprises as one way of improving quality and value more generally. What steps are the Government taking to ensure that this happens in the short term?
Subjects
Agriculture; Food; Production
Date
3 February 2010
Reference
717 c193
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, that is a matter of consumer choice. My noble friend will know that we want to see all aspects of agriculture flourish. There is no doubt that a debate on the increased welfare and health of the nation might be aided by dietary changes being noted by a growing section of the population.
My Lords, that is a matter of consumer choice. My noble friend will know that we want to see all aspects of agriculture flourish. There is no doubt that a debate on the increased welfare and health of the nation might be aided by dietary changes being noted by a growing section of the population.
Answered by
Lord Davies of Oldham
(Labour)
Asked by
Baroness Jones of Whitchurch
(Labour)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, does my noble friend support the growing evidence that agricultural resources could be put to better effect if people would agree to eat less meat?
Subjects
Agriculture; Food; Production
Date
3 February 2010
Reference
717 c193
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
The noble Baroness is right. Bovine TB is a very serious disease and we are pursuing every strategy to deal with it. The problem, as the noble Baroness will know, is that there is no defined and clear scientific evidence on the best way of tackling this. Wales is tackling it with an experimental badger cull in restricted areas. We are watching that programme with great interest but we remain, at the moment, unconvinced that it solves the problem.
The noble Baroness is right. Bovine TB is a very serious disease and we are pursuing every strategy to deal with it. The problem, as the noble Baroness will know, is that there is no defined and clear scientific evidence on the best way of tackling this. Wales is tackling it with an experimental badger cull in restricted areas. We are watching that programme with great interest but we remain, at the moment, unconvinced that it solves the problem.
Answered by
Lord Davies of Oldham
(Labour)
Asked by
Baroness Trumpington
(Conservative)
Type
Oral answers to questions
Does the Minister agree that the increase in tuberculosis in cattle in this country has not helped food production with regard to beef, milk or any other products from cattle?
Subjects
Agriculture; Food; Production
Date
3 February 2010
Reference
717 c193
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, that is a challenging question because the noble Lord will know how much more limited our ability is to control issues in other countries. We certainly control the quality of imported milk, but the conditions under which it is produced and the health of the animals is a different matter. However, that is exactly the area on which we seek to bring pressure to bear within the framework of the CAP to ensure that Europe improves and reaches the standards of which we are rightly proud in terms of our own animal health.
My Lords, that is a challenging question because the noble Lord will know how much more limited our ability is to control issues in other countries. We certainly control the quality of imported milk, but the conditions under which it is produced and the health of the animals is a different matter. However, that is exactly the area on which we seek to bring pressure to bear within the framework of the CAP to ensure that Europe improves and reaches the standards of which we are rightly proud in terms of our own animal health.
Answered by
Lord Davies of Oldham
(Labour)
Asked by
Lord Hylton
(Crossbench)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, I declare my interest as a dairy farmer. Are the Government satisfied that imports coming into this country from Europe and some other places are subject to the same standards of animal health and care and conditions for farm workers as exist in this country?
Subjects
Agriculture; Food; Production
Date
3 February 2010
Reference
717 c192
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to increase food production in the United Kingdom.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to increase food production in the United Kingdom.
Asked by
Baroness Byford
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Davies of Oldham
(Labour)
Oral questions - Lead
Status
Answered
Procedure
Topical questions (HL)
For answer on
3 February 2010
Answered on
3 February 2010
The Government aim to ensure that we have a thriving, competitive and sustainable agri-food sector. Reforming the CAP will improve the industry’s ability to respond to consumer demand. Our Food 2030 strategy explained that we are also providing funding to increase industry competiveness through the rural development programme for England, funding scientific research into increasing food production sustainably, and working with industry to improve skills across the food chain, tackle climate change issues and reduce regulatory burdens.
Subjects
Agriculture; Food; Production
Date
3 February 2010
Reference
717 c191
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
To ask Her Majesty's Government what proportion of Common Agricultural Policy spending in England is used to encourage local slaughtering of animals and local food processing; and whether they plan to increase the proportion.
To ask Her Majesty's Government what proportion of Common Agricultural Policy spending in England is used to encourage local slaughtering of animals and local food processing; and whether they plan to increase the proportion.
Asked by
Lord Hylton
(Crossbench)
Answered by
Lord Davies of Oldham
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
14 December 2009
It is not possible to calculate the proportion of Common Agricultural Policy spend on local slaughtering and local food processing, not least because there is no recognised definition of "local".
However, the Government recognise that consumers increasingly want to know how the food they buy has been produced and its provenance. We have helped to facilitate this choice by providing funding for a range of measures to help regional and local food producers improve their access to market. Examples include: support for local abattoirs; the encouragement of food hubs, farm shops and farmers' markets and shared distribution facilities. Funding for these initiatives came from:
the additional £5 million over five years (03/04 to 07/08) which Defra made available to Food from Britain (FFB) to support the quality regional food sector;
the regional development agencies' (RDA) single pot funding; and
the rural development programme.
Subjects
Agriculture; Food; Production; Processed food; Slaughterhouses; Subsidies
Date
14 December 2009
Reference
357; 715 c179WA
House
House of Lords
Lords debate on motion to call attention to the Royal Society report "Reaping the Benefits" and the contribution to be made by British agriculture. Motion withdrawn.
Lords debate on motion to call attention to the Royal Society report "Reaping the Benefits" and the contribution to be made by British agriculture. Motion withdrawn.
Lead member
Baroness Byford
Answering member
Lord Davies of Oldham
Department
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Debates
Subjects
Crops; Agriculture; Climate change; Developing countries; Africa; Finance; Environment protection; Genetically modified organisms; Food; Food supply; Production; Research; Science; Royal Society; Food insecurity
Date
10 December 2009
Reference
715 c1197-223
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, I agree somewhat with the noble Lord’s original contention. It is, of course, the case that British self-sufficiency in food has increased very significantly over the past two or three decades. That is a reflection of the productive work of British farmers and their international competitiveness. We should take delight in the progress being made. Of course, the Government are very concerned to ensure that British farming is competitive and is supported in all possible ways so that it can play its part in international markets. The noble Lord will also appreciate that the strongest position for British agriculture is that it should be internationally competitive as, in so many areas, it is.
My Lords, I agree somewhat with the noble Lord’s original contention. It is, of course, the case that British self-sufficiency in food has increased very significantly over the past two or three decades. That is a reflection of the productive work of British farmers and their international competitiveness. We should take delight in the progress being made. Of course, the Government are very concerned to ensure that British farming is competitive and is supported in all possible ways so that it can play its part in international markets. The noble Lord will also appreciate that the strongest position for British agriculture is that it should be internationally competitive as, in so many areas, it is.
Answered by
Lord Davies of Oldham
(Labour)
Asked by
Lord Taylor of Holbeach
(Conservative)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, I declare an interest as a farmer and grower. Does the Minister agree that the days of assuming that there is plenty of food in the world for British consumers to access are over? What measures are the Government taking to give support and encouragement to British growers and farmers to increase production in this country?
Subjects
Agriculture; Food; Origin marking; Production; Self-sufficiency
Date
9 July 2009
Reference
712 c762-3
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, we are certainly concerned about scams where food is misleadingly labelled, and we have powers to deal with that. However, the noble Lord will know that food labelling is mainly a European issue. He, together with the House, will take delight in the fact that the Commission is currently consulting on strengthening European legislation on food labelling regulations, and we expect that work to bear fruit in the not-too-distant future.
My Lords, we are certainly concerned about scams where food is misleadingly labelled, and we have powers to deal with that. However, the noble Lord will know that food labelling is mainly a European issue. He, together with the House, will take delight in the fact that the Commission is currently consulting on strengthening European legislation on food labelling regulations, and we expect that work to bear fruit in the not-too-distant future.
Answered by
Lord Davies of Oldham
(Labour)
Asked by
Lord Livsey of Talgarth
(Liberal Democrat)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, the more eagle-eyed among your Lordships will recognise that I have had to pull my Question on set-aside because the Secretary of State is making a statement at the Royal Show today—the last-but-one day of the Royal Show. Next year, I urge people to come to the Royal Welsh Show, the most successful show in the United Kingdom.
Will the noble Lord acknowledge that self-sufficiency of UK agriculture production has fallen disastrously, by 10 per cent, over the past decade? Will he confirm that the cost of temperate food production imports into the UK now stands at approximately £23 billion? Will he seek to reverse this trend, including urgent action to stop the food-labelling scam of imported food being labelled as British just because it has been packed and processed here in the UK?
Subjects
Agriculture; Food; Origin marking; Production; Self-sufficiency
Date
9 July 2009
Reference
712 c762
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, UK self-sufficiency in all food currently stands at 60 per cent and was 59 per cent in 2007. UK self-sufficiency in indigenous food—food which can be produced domestically on a large scale which is economically viable—stood at 73 per cent in 2008. Under European legislation, there are specific requirements to label certain food groups with their country of origin. For other foods, the food labelling regulations require the labelling of origin if failure to do so might mislead.
My Lords, UK self-sufficiency in all food currently stands at 60 per cent and was 59 per cent in 2007. UK self-sufficiency in indigenous food—food which can be produced domestically on a large scale which is economically viable—stood at 73 per cent in 2008. Under European legislation, there are specific requirements to label certain food groups with their country of origin. For other foods, the food labelling regulations require the labelling of origin if failure to do so might mislead.
Answered by
Lord Davies of Oldham
(Labour)
Asked by
Lord Livsey of Talgarth
(Liberal Democrat)
Type
Oral answers to questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the current self-sufficiency rate of United Kingdom food production; and how consumers can identify food produced in the United Kingdom.
Subjects
Agriculture; Food; Origin marking; Production; Self-sufficiency
Date
9 July 2009
Reference
712 c762
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, we are concerned, as the right reverend Prelate has suggested, about dairy farmers in Britain. Of course last week I was commenting on the collapse of a significant dairy and its consequences. Last week, I wanted to emphasise, and this week I wish to reiterate, that the medium-term perspective for the dairy industry, far from being depressing, is encouraging. The right reverend Prelate is absolutely right to say that we have a difficult 18 months to two years to go through. That is why we are taking what measures we can to give support during this interim period. We were pleased, and the House will have rejoiced in the fact, that all farmers affected by the collapse of the dairy to which we referred last week had been offered new contracts and, therefore, are able to stay in production. The vast majority have accepted those contracts. That is not to deny that we will have difficulties over the next 18 months, to which the right reverend Prelate has rightly drawn attention.
My Lords, we are concerned, as the right reverend Prelate has suggested, about dairy farmers in Britain. Of course last week I was commenting on the collapse of a significant dairy and its consequences. Last week, I wanted to emphasise, and this week I wish to reiterate, that the medium-term perspective for the dairy industry, far from being depressing, is encouraging. The right reverend Prelate is absolutely right to say that we have a difficult 18 months to two years to go through. That is why we are taking what measures we can to give support during this interim period. We were pleased, and the House will have rejoiced in the fact, that all farmers affected by the collapse of the dairy to which we referred last week had been offered new contracts and, therefore, are able to stay in production. The vast majority have accepted those contracts. That is not to deny that we will have difficulties over the next 18 months, to which the right reverend Prelate has rightly drawn attention.
Answered by
Lord Davies of Oldham
(Labour)
Asked by
Bishop of Exeter
(Bishops (affiliation))
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, is the Minister aware of the 2009 farmers’ intention survey which highlights a fall in dairy farmers’ confidence and records the lowest numbers intending to expand since the survey began in 2004? It seems almost certain that there will be a fall in GB milk production over the next year or two of the order of some 5 per cent. From my own experience in Devon, I know that few new entrants to farming intend to enter the dairy sector. If dairy farming is not in crisis, as the noble Lord firmly averred in this House last week, does he agree that we seem to be at a tipping point, especially in the context of increasing pressures on world food markets, and that that ought to be a matter for real concern?
Subjects
Agriculture; Food; Origin marking; Production; Self-sufficiency
Date
9 July 2009
Reference
712 c763-4
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, of course it is right that the Competition Commission should ensure that British farmers compete on a fair basis but, as I indicated last week, we export considerable amounts of milk. That is not to say that we do not import considerable amounts too, but we are exporters of milk and find a market for it. The noble Lord is suggesting that there is unfair competition. I shall certainly draw that to the attention of the competition authorities, but I imagine that the House will appreciate that the issues are somewhat more fundamental than the aspect of unfair competition.
My Lords, of course it is right that the Competition Commission should ensure that British farmers compete on a fair basis but, as I indicated last week, we export considerable amounts of milk. That is not to say that we do not import considerable amounts too, but we are exporters of milk and find a market for it. The noble Lord is suggesting that there is unfair competition. I shall certainly draw that to the attention of the competition authorities, but I imagine that the House will appreciate that the issues are somewhat more fundamental than the aspect of unfair competition.
Answered by
Lord Davies of Oldham
(Labour)
Asked by
Lord Burnett
(Liberal Democrat)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, I should declare that I own and am landlord of farmland. The right reverend Prelate, who is a friend of mine, is quite right in what he says about farming, particularly dairy farming. We should be self-sufficient in liquid milk, but UK dairy farmers and co-operatives have to compete within the UK with overseas suppliers with a huge home market share, sometimes as high as 90 per cent. Competition is very important. Nevertheless, will the Government ask the Competition Commission to investigate the market share allowed to UK suppliers? They should be able to achieve greater economies of scale and be enabled to compete more fairly with their overseas competitors.
Subjects
Agriculture; Food; Origin marking; Production; Self-sufficiency
Date
9 July 2009
Reference
712 c764
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, of course the noble Countess is right to say that we have to have regard to changes in demand for oil products, the importance of oil as regards carbon emissions and the limitation on world oil supplies. At this stage, it would not be right to suggest that the very significant problems faced by many small farmers, which need consideration by the Government, such as the question of oil supplies running out, should not be a significant priority for the Government.
My Lords, of course the noble Countess is right to say that we have to have regard to changes in demand for oil products, the importance of oil as regards carbon emissions and the limitation on world oil supplies. At this stage, it would not be right to suggest that the very significant problems faced by many small farmers, which need consideration by the Government, such as the question of oil supplies running out, should not be a significant priority for the Government.
Answered by
Lord Davies of Oldham
(Labour)
Asked by
Countess of Mar
(Crossbench)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, I declare an interest as a small farmer. As oil is a finite resource and as agri-industry is so dependent on oil, not only for fuelling tractors and machinery but also for pesticides and fertilisers, will the Minister say what forward planning is being done to ensure that we retain our ability to produce food in the event of oil running out?
Subjects
Agriculture; Food; Origin marking; Production; Self-sufficiency
Date
9 July 2009
Reference
712 c763
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the current self-sufficiency rate of United Kingdom food production; and how consumers can identify food produced in the United Kingdom.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the current self-sufficiency rate of United Kingdom food production; and how consumers can identify food produced in the United Kingdom.
Asked by
Lord Livsey of Talgarth
(Liberal Democrat)
Answered by
Lord Davies of Oldham
(Labour)
Oral questions - Lead
Status
Answered
For answer on
9 July 2009
Answered on
9 July 2009
My Lords, UK self-sufficiency in all food currently stands at 60 per cent and was 59 per cent in 2007. UK self-sufficiency in indigenous food—food which can be produced domestically on a large scale which is economically viable—stood at 73 per cent in 2008. Under European legislation, there are specific requirements to label certain food groups with their country of origin. For other foods, the food labelling regulations require the labelling of origin if failure to do so might mislead.
Subjects
Agriculture; Food; Origin marking; Production; Self-sufficiency
Date
9 July 2009
Reference
712 c762
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
To ask Her Majesty's Government what proposals they have for increasing food production in England.
To ask Her Majesty's Government what proposals they have for increasing food production in England.
Asked by
Baroness Byford
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Davies of Oldham
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
22 June 2009
The UK domestic agricultural sector makes an important contribution to the diversity of safe and nutritious food we enjoy, and will need to continue to respond to changes in global markets for food. The Government believe UK agriculture should produce as much food as possible, provided this can be done sustainably and is driven by consumer demand.
Primary responsibility for action to improve competitiveness rests—as in other sectors of the economy—with the sector itself. Government's principal role in this area is encouraging and enabling to ensure we have a thriving and sustainable agri-food sector. We are encouraging more resource efficient and environmentally sustainable agriculture by: providing guidance on nutrient management (Code of Good Agricultural Practice, issued January 2009); reducing water pollution (Catchment Sensitive Farming Programme and NVZs); and environmental stewardship schemes.
The Government are also helping rural businesses through the economic downturn by raising the funding limit on grants to 100 per cent for projects under the Rural Development Plan for England (RDPE). We are encouraging co-operation in production and marketing, for example, the Pigmeat Supply Chain Taskforce; and we are taking regulatory burdens seriously and arguing strongly against those we view as unnecessary or inappropriate with our European partners. And we are continuing our commitment to ensuring the right research and development strategy is in place across a wide range of areas, including the environmental impacts of local and seasonal foods; the water impacts of our food supply; and the integrating water quality, ecology and production at farm and catchment scale.
Subjects
Food; Production
Date
22 June 2009
Reference
4238; 711 c249-50WA
House
House of Lords