Speeches by Zeichner.

“We could probably have a whole session on food security alone. You will know that we are statutorily obliged to produce a food security report for the UK once every three years. We did that on time last December. Yesterday, as part of the food strategy announcement, I announced that we are intending to put in place an …”

“That is a really important question. Many of us were critical of the way in which some of those trade agreements were negotiated by the previous Government, but it is important to note that the quotas being used at the moment are relatively low; we will be watching this very closely to make sure that, if we begin to se…”

“First of all, good afternoon, everybody, and thank you very much for giving me the opportunity to appear before you today. I have the best job in Government, so it is a huge privilege to speak on matters of such importance to the people of Wales. I know just how important farming and the food system are to Wales. One o…”

“There may be two questions in there. One is around livestock numbers. I am very mindful—this point has been made to me, both in Wales and in England—that the stratification system means you do need the right balance. In your previous discussion, Aled Jones made the point that the sheep system is complicated, with the m…”

“Of course, we always listen to constructive proposals, but what I am told by Treasury colleagues is that a clawback would mean that inheritance tax would only be due if the relevant assets are sold within a specified time period after a death. The Treasury’s analysis is that some of the wealthiest estates would end up …”

“You are tempting me into territory where I have got in trouble before. I do not intend to go there other than to say—it perhaps goes back to the point about blood on the floor—that you should not underestimate our determination to get good outcomes for this sector with Treasury. There are different ways of doing it. I …”

“This is a really important issue as well. I am delighted to say that, in my view—and I have chaired a number of these inter-ministerial groups now—we have a really good working relationship. There is, of course, always scope for improvement and more, but it is the key forum for joint discussion at ministerial level. Ev…”

“There are a number of ways of doing politics, and my approach to politics does not involve blood on the floor or punch-ups. What I would say is that, before the last spending review, there were many people who thought that the money available for farming and the environment would be cut drastically. The Secretary of St…”

“It is quite important in terms of devolution that we hand these issues over to the Welsh Government, so people in Wales can make the decision.”

“I understand the point that those who gave the evidence are making. We are moving to Barnettisation. I made this point in answer to a question in the Chamber at EFRA questions a few weeks ago. We believe it is better for the Welsh Government to be able to make these decisions. As a consequence of the settlements, Wales…”

“You may be testing my detailed knowledge of that trade deal. Again, I will either have to write to you or, if possible, my colleague may know off the top of her head.”

“What I would say is that it has been discussed at some length in this place. I responded to an urgent question within days, and many of you made your points very forcibly about it then. There have been numerous debates in Westminster Hall. A month or two after the announcement, I and one of the Treasury Ministers met A…”

“Government Departments always look closely at reports from Select Committees, but that is a decision for Treasury.”

“Those are really important questions. I remember sitting in some Committee room discussing the Agriculture Act four or five years ago—it may even have been longer—and it was quite telling in the impact assessments. When you looked at the number of farms across the UK, they were really very marginal, and probably, witho…”

“What I can absolutely assure you of is that officials come back to Ministers very frequently, by which I mean literally many times in a day sometimes. There is ministerial oversight and accountability here. In terms of the detail, perhaps you could say a little more.”

“As you will know, Budgets are very much the responsibility of His Majesty’s Treasury. What I would say is that, although it came as a shock to some, this issue had been discussed over many years. I had been lobbied by a number of groups two or three years prior to the election on these issues. Going back through old is…”

“There are two things going on here. First, we are a different Government from the previous one. When we came into Government, we were very mindful of the issues around standards for farmers, so we made a clear commitment on that. What has also clearly changed is the geopolitical situation. I have to say that the Indian…”

“I thought that he spoke really well, and I recognised it from discussions I have had with similarly motivated young people across the country. I do not say that any of this is easy, but we have to make a change for a number of reasons. I just think that, in the modern world, it is a bit of a tough ask to expect people …”

“With all these arrangements, we seek input from the devolved Administrations to get a sense of what it is that they are looking for. I am not an experienced international trade person, and so I might look to my colleague, but my sense is that the way in which international trade deals are negotiated at the moment is ra…”

“Yes. If I can give you an example, New Zealand will get new access after the first 15 years of this agreement only once its existing quota has reached 90% utilisation. We are a long way from that at the moment. As I say, it does depend on the geopolitical situation at the moment, because, if New Zealand was suddenly lo…”