Results 1-20 of 4,258 for (in the 'Commons debates' OR in the 'Westminster Hall debates' OR in the 'Lords debates' OR in the 'Northern Ireland Assembly debates') speaker:Jim Fitzpatrick

Farm Animal Welfare (3 Nov 2009)

Jim Fitzpatrick: It is a pleasure to see you in the Chair, Mr. Key. I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Sunderland, South (Mr. Mullin) on securing this important debate, and I welcome it as an opportunity to outline the Government's absolute commitment to the improvement of the welfare of animals. The UK has the highest animal welfare standards that we have ever had; they are among the highest in...

Farm Animal Welfare (3 Nov 2009)

Jim Fitzpatrick: My hon. Friend makes an entirely valid point. I know that his position is that we should travel down the route of compulsion. He is correct to say that I am trying to make a case for the good progress that has been made, and to outline what we are trying to do through encouragement. As I shall explain, we are trying to approach procurement in a quasi-voluntary way, but with a clear...

Farm Animal Welfare (3 Nov 2009)

Jim Fitzpatrick: I did not mean to speed over points deliberately, or not to pay them appropriate attention. Like other colleagues, I anticipated there being more speakers in this debate. I therefore edited my comments to ensure that others had as much time as possible. On the progress that is being made under the present infrastructure, several Members pointed out that the use of consumer power reinforces...

Farm Animal Welfare (3 Nov 2009)

Jim Fitzpatrick: The hon. Gentleman makes a fair point. In the exercise that I am conducting with other Ministers and within DEFRA, I am trying to identify what is working well, and am then sharing that best practice to ensure that it is as effective as possible. I should inform my hon. Friend the Member for Sunderland, South, that DEFRA's caterers have made their own decision, and buy only free-range eggs...

Supermarkets and Regional Farming (2 Nov 2009) has video

Jim Fitzpatrick: I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Chorley (Mr. Hoyle), as well as his supporters on both sides of the House, on securing this debate and on the manner in which he made his remarks. I listened closely to the points that he made, and I will try to respond to him over the next few minutes. If I am unable to do so or if I miss any of his concerns, I will of course write to him. I...

Supermarkets and Regional Farming (2 Nov 2009) has video

Jim Fitzpatrick: I am grateful for my hon. Friend's kind invitation. I would be happy to take advantage of it if I get the chance to do so before the general election. The Government recognise that the marketing of regional and local food can bring benefits for producers and consumers. There are fewer middlemen, and that means farmers and small producers are able to retain a higher proportion of the end price...

Supermarkets and Regional Farming (2 Nov 2009) has video

Jim Fitzpatrick: My hon. Friend makes a fair point. The hon. Member for South-West Norfolk (Christopher Fraser), who is no longer in his place, mentioned the premier contracts that some dairies have with farmers. I discussed that matter with my hon. Friend the Member for North-West Leicestershire (David Taylor) and the Select Committee on Environment, Food and Rural Affairs only last week. It is producing a...

Supermarkets and Regional Farming (2 Nov 2009) has video

Jim Fitzpatrick: My hon. Friend tempts me to comment on a matter that is under collective Government discussion. I am sure that he is aware of the position in respect of the ombudsman, and we hope to bring forward a conclusion shortly. I should like to comment on the relationship between retailers and farmers. The GSCOP will be for companies that supply directly to retailers. Most fresh produce is supplied to...

Oral Answers to Questions — Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Local Food Chains (29 Oct 2009) has video

Jim Fitzpatrick: We provide a range of assistance to local food chains, including helping regional and local food producers to overcome various barriers to market. We have funded meet-the-buyer events for both retailers and the food service sector. We also support farmers markets and farm shops, and encourage the use of food hubs and shared distribution facilities.

Oral Answers to Questions — Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Local Food Chains (29 Oct 2009) has video

Jim Fitzpatrick: I am sure that we would want to do more. Only last week I had a useful meeting with representatives from the National Farmers Retail and Markets Association to discuss a range of issues relating to farmers and markets and farm shops. I commend my hon. Friend on the excellent local food initiatives in his constituency. Only last week, officials from the food policy unit in the Department for...

Oral Answers to Questions — Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Local Food Chains (29 Oct 2009) has video

Jim Fitzpatrick: I remember fondly my first week as Minister of State with responsibility for farming, from 9 June, when I believe that we had two debates in the House on agriculture. We would welcome more debates on agriculture. I suggest the hon. Gentleman applies to your good offices, Mr. Speaker, for that very opportunity. We would be delighted to meet him across the Dispatch Box.

Oral Answers to Questions — Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Local Food Chains (29 Oct 2009) has video

Jim Fitzpatrick: I think my hon. Friend has managed to merge three questions into one: the retail sector supporting local produce, barriers to local producers getting into supermarkets and the ombudsman. I can assure him that on the ombudsman, the Government are considering the Competition Commission's recommendations. I can also assure him that we are doing what we can to ensure that local producers can get...

Oral Answers to Questions — Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Common Agricultural Policy (29 Oct 2009) has video

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has ongoing discussions on reform of the common agricultural policy with the Commission both formally and informally, including at regular meetings of the Agriculture Council, the last of which I attended on 19 October. The next phase of negotiations will begin informally next year with the new Agriculture Commissioner.

Oral Answers to Questions — Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Common Agricultural Policy (29 Oct 2009) has video

Jim Fitzpatrick: I can certainly give that assurance. We would in no way move forward without consulting all the relevant authorities and organisations. We clearly have our own priorities and negotiating position, which will be mapped out in due course, and they would not ignore such an important sector as the hon. Gentleman mentions.

Oral Answers to Questions — Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Common Agricultural Policy (29 Oct 2009) has video

Jim Fitzpatrick: My hon. Friend makes an important point. We certainly wish to foster an internationally competitive industry without reliance on subsidy or protection. The Government believe that CAP expenditure under pillar two offers better value for money than pillar one because it rewards farmers for the delivery of public benefits, especially environmental outcomes, as he outlines.

Oral Answers to Questions — Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Common Agricultural Policy (29 Oct 2009) has video

Jim Fitzpatrick: It is certainly my belief that that is not quite what Lord Stern said. He made a comment that was lifted out and exaggerated. We certainly believe in a balanced diet, and there are many ways in which emissions of greenhouse gases can be tackled. That is not the position of the Government or the Department, and we will negotiate with the Commission to ensure that its position is as close to...

Oral Answers to Questions — Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Common Agricultural Policy (29 Oct 2009) has video

Jim Fitzpatrick: It is for individual citizens and consumers to decide what they eat, and we support that. We also support the British agricultural industry and our meat producers. Sir Nicholas Stern's comments must be looked at from the perspective of the whole piece that he wrote, not just one quote or sentence.

Oral Answers to Questions — Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Milk and Dairy Industry (29 Oct 2009) has video

Jim Fitzpatrick: We closely monitor the economic prospects of the sector, with an extensive review made on a six-monthly basis. I am also chairing the twice-yearly meeting of the Dairy Supply Chain Forum on 1 December. The forum regularly brings together all the key players in the dairy sector and has been doing so for several years.

Oral Answers to Questions — Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Milk and Dairy Industry (29 Oct 2009) has video

Jim Fitzpatrick: Only last week at the Agriculture Council, we raised our serious concerns about the fund that has been set up, which I am sure would meet the hon. Gentleman's concerns as well. We have been asking questions, and I also gave evidence on this item yesterday to the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee, chaired by the right hon. Member for Fylde (Mr. Jack). It is not clear how...

Oral Answers to Questions — Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Milk and Dairy Industry (29 Oct 2009) has video

Jim Fitzpatrick: I suspect that it is because the retailers think that people will buy it.