T2. Ms Á Murphy asked the Minister whether, although he may have not seen a new EU report that notes that a temporary just transition fund should be established outside the common agricultural policy, he agrees that that could be a useful precedent for his engagements with the British Government. (AQT 502/22-27)

I agree 100%, and that is what we need to do. I am passionate about a just transition in agriculture. We need to ensure that the work that we carry out to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reach net zero will be fair and that we support people on that journey. That is why we need to provide those incentives and support. The developments that the Member mentioned will be useful in making the case to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. I have made the case in writing, and I will make it in person next week.

I thank the Minister for his answer. The fact that the EU recognises the need for additional funding for this aspect indicates that it is not the purpose of the current agriculture budget, which currently goes to farmers: does the Minister agree?

We have earmarked funding. The total earmarked funding, which includes agriculture and fisheries, is about £330 million, and that is largely resource funding. I am making the case that we should have separate capital funding. Also, I have made the case that the earmarked funding, which was guaranteed until the end of March 2025, following our departure from the EU, should be indexed in line with inflation going forward. It is critical that that happen.

I have a concern about that earmarked funding. The Member will have read media reports last week about the funding in DEFRA that is earmarked for England and the potential for that to be reduced. I am concerned about how that could affect Northern Ireland, and I will make strong representations to that effect. If we want to improve water and air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, we need to fund and support agri-food to travel that journey, and that is absolutely key for me. I have engaged with my Scottish and Welsh counterparts on that recently, and I will engage with the Secretary of State on it in London next week.