Speeches by Zeichner.

“This is one of a number of disease threats we have. It is really difficult for people. We absolutely understand the problem. We saw it first in the Netherlands; it has come across the country. It is midge-borne. In England, we set up the control zones that certainly prevented it moving as quickly as it would have done …”

“The Groceries Code Adjudicator does a very good job. It is a very specific job. Through the fair dealing clauses that are available to us under the Agriculture Act, we have introduced a second adjudicator, the Agricultural Supply Chain Adjudicator. That is a relatively new role, which came in on the back of the dairy r…”

“Yes, if they are very quick.”

“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 …”

“No, not at all. Thank you for the question, and, yes, I did anticipate it. Many of us have had exchanges in the Chamber on this issue. They were sometimes a little pointed. I apologise. The Chamber is a different forum from here. The first thing that I have to say is that this is a decision for the Treasury, so I can a…”

“It is very good to see you. It is a very important question, and we probably will go on to talk about the tax issues. Looking across the whole of the United Kingdom, it seems to me that there is certainly a challenge for the sector in terms of getting a generational shift. That is hard, because farming is not like othe…”

“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…”

“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 …”

“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.”

“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…”

“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.”

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

“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 …”

“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…”

“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.”

“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 understand the hon. Gentleman’s concern. Natural England provides statutory guidance and advice to Ministers, but Ministers decide. We are looking at its advice, but no decision has yet been taken. I now turn to the economic benefits that shooting sports can provide to rural communities. We recognise that shooting ca…”

“I thank the hon. Gentleman for his intervention, and I sympathise with his travelling a long way. It is not easy when some of the transport systems are not working. I acknowledge his point. I too have met gamekeepers and young people who see an important future for themselves. I applaud that university. Close work betw…”

“That is a manifesto commitment, and this Government keep their commitments. Bird of prey crime is a national wildlife crime priority, and the Government take wildlife crime extremely seriously. There are strong penalties in place for offences committed against birds of prey and other wildlife, and anyone found guilty o…”