🗣️ Speeches and Debates
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Defra is publishing its framework for managing an outbreak of bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3) in England. Bluetongue is a disease affecting ruminants (such as cattle, sheep and deer) and camelids (such as llamas and alpacas) and is spread primarily by biting midges. It does not affect people or food safety. BTV-3 first appeared in the Netherlands in September last year. We immediately...
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Today, the government will publish the details of the expanded Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) offer, providing significant improvements and expansion to the scheme, so that they work for farmers and their businesses. In 6 months, almost a quarter of all farmers have applied to join the SFI. This is DEFRAs most popular agri-environmental scheme to date. This level of interest underscores...
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It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship once again, Ms Rees. I start by paying tribute to my hon. Friend the Member for St Austell and Newquay (Steve Double) for securing this debate. I should be clear at the beginning that it will probably not be possible for me to respond to all the points raised in the debate in the seven and a half minutes that are now available to me, but I...
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I thank all hon. Members who have contributed to today’s debate. I also thank the Secretary of State for being in his place to demonstrate his support. Two former Secretaries of State turned up in the Chamber to offer their support, and I pay tribute to my right hon. Friends the Members for Suffolk Coastal (Dr Coffey), and for Camborne and Redruth (George Eustice), for their measured...
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I am grateful for that intervention. That is why we are offering grant schemes for such infrastructure projects. For example, there will be grant schemes to improve on slurry infrastructure, on calf housing and on beef housing, to make sure that we not only invest in that infrastructure, but do it in a way that is sensitive to our environmental and animal welfare footprints. That is exactly...
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I beg to move, That the draft Agriculture (Delinked Payments) (Reductions) (England) Regulations 2024, which were laid before this House on 16 April, be approved. I declare my farming interests, as set out in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests. The instrument continues the important agricultural reforms that we are making in England—reforms that support the long-term prosperity...
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My right hon. Friend will understand that the basic payment scheme did not motivate food production at all, as it was not linked to it. As we move to the new regime, we are promoting better productivity through grants for better equipment. We are investing in new technology. Alongside that, we are pushing to improve gene editing and gene technology, to try to make agriculture more sustainable...
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The hon. Member will be familiar with how matters of inheritance tax are for the Treasury rather than this Department, but we want to see that fair transition between generations so that family farms can be passed from one generation to the other to continue to maintain our landscapes and produce top-quality food, as we have for a long time. I will ensure that he gets the right answer to his...
More of Mark Spencer's speeches and debates
✍️ Written Questions and Answers
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The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is an operationally independent arm’s length body (ALB). Civil Service EDI expenditure guidance does not extend to organisations outside the Civil Service or ALBs not employing Civil Servants. The contract with Red Snapper Ltd is due to expire on 21 February 2025.
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Project Hazel refers to Capita’s share divestment from Fera Science Ltd, a joint venture with Defra. Defra spent £1.57 million on Project Hazel from 2020.
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Analysis has been produced to support relevant legislation in accordance with the Better Regulation Framework. Any further impact assessments required under the Better Regulation Framework will be published on legislation.gov.uk.
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Since the publication of the draft Border Target Operating Model (BTOM) on 5 April 2023, Defra and the UK Government have engaged with stakeholders from across industry, including many in the food supply chain, to inform design and promote readiness. From publication of the draft, the Government undertook a six-week feedback period to capture input into the design of the BTOM. Defra engaged...
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Rhododendron ponticum is one of the most damaging invasive plants in the UK; it prevents woodland regeneration and destroys the natural understorey which has consequent impacts on birds and invertebrates. Countryside Stewardship (CS) option SB6 supports the control of rhododendrons, reducing the negative effect this can have on a site. There are 487 CS agreements containing SB6, which cover...
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We are committed to reviewing all actions in Countryside Stewardship and Sustainable Farming Incentive, on a phased basis over time. As part of the reviews, we will take into account comments from farmers and stakeholders and ensure guidance is appropriate. Rhododendron ponticum is one of the most damaging invasive plants in the UK; it prevents woodland regeneration and destroys the natural...
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A reply will be sent to the hon. Member soon. I apologise for the delay in responding to the hon. Member.
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Details of Animal and Plant Health Agency inspection fees can be found on Gov.uk. For Port Health Authorities (PHA) inspection fees, traders should contact the PHA in question; many PHAs list their charges on their websites.
More of Mark Spencer's written questions
