Speeches by Jermy.

“It is fair to say that not everybody is sold on the idea that nature recovery and nature recovery schemes do not impact food production. It is a live debate in my constituency on a regular basis. I also have some fantastic farms that are adamant that there should be no impact on food produced if they do so in an enviro…”

“You mentioned climate change in your opening remarks, and we have already touched upon the particular impact on East Anglia. I am in Norfolk. It is hugely important for food production. There are significant pressures from climate change—yes, from drought, but also often from flooding and the devastation of soil wash-o…”

“I welcome the statement and the leadership that the Secretary of State is showing on this issue. Our democracy is important and requires our active protection. Does he agree that as well as actions that the Government can take, there is far more that individual political parties, particularly Reform UK, can do on due d…”

“It is fair to say that land is increasingly coming under pressure from housing and energy projects. We have mentioned Sizewell. Various organisations, such as the NFU and CLA, have produced statistics and talked about domestic food production falling by a third in 25 years because of land use changes, but that is somet…”

“I particularly welcome the comments about social and affordable homes in rural communities, and the commitments around swift bricks and chalk streams. In many areas, including in my county of Norfolk, the environment so often is the economy, whether that is through farming or tourism. Does the Minister recognise that o…”

“I am aware, Minister, that you chair the Food Strategy Advisory Board. We have heard today how farmers are integral to food security and that animal welfare is very much in people’s minds. Neither farmers nor animal welfare organisations are represented on the Food Strategy Advisory Board. You have the power to appoint…”

“Do you accept that there is a challenge that, while we are moving towards more environmentally friendly farming in this country, if we do not think about things globally, the import of feed, in particular, and the impact on the environment and animal welfare abroad massively undermines what we are trying to do with our…”

“There is a worrying trend towards intensification of farming. I see that in Norfolk, particularly with large-scale intensive livestock facilities. It is pigs and chickens, in particular, where I am. I am always concerned, because often that reduces the number and quality of jobs in rural communities. From a food produc…”

“The United States is a long-standing and important ally. We very much recognise that in my constituency, where there are two large American military bases on the Norfolk-Suffolk border. I invite the Minister to recognise the significant contribution that thousands of American service personnel make to our local communi…”

“That is really useful actually because we are talking hundreds of millions of farmed animals in this country and if we are looking at animal welfare we cannot exclude them so I find that reassuring. I often find farmers are the best conservationists and they really want to improve animal welfare. When I go and see my n…”

“I am glad you mentioned that because it has been really exciting to see almost the pilots, if you like. My concern is how we roll that out and make it more mainstream because it is relatively small in the grand scheme of things.”

“The last point I wanted to make is there has been a huge increase in intensive farming practices, particularly in my county of Norfolk; we are referred to as the mega-farm capital of Europe. I have been quite concerned about the different Departments and roles when it comes to the inspections, enforcement and role of l…”

“I appreciate that Josh has covered quite a lot of ground there but I just wanted to pick up on a couple of points if I may. I am obviously very pleased to hear about the welfare strategy being published this year. We all have some Christmas reading with the strategy and the profitability review; it is going to be a bus…”

“In my maiden speech, I said that one third of all children in my constituency live in poverty. I reflect upon that often, and it causes me great concern. In among the fields, trees and pretty villages, poverty is a real issue. There are many reasons that poverty might exist, but not a single one of them is the fault of…”

“My hon. Friend is right that Government policies do not always fall equally across the country, and I absolutely welcome the idea of a rural strategy. Importantly, if the changes to APR go ahead, they will fail to address one of the key issues, because after 1 April it will still be financially advantageous for the sup…”

“Certainly, from my experience, taking the eastern region as a good example, dozens of councils are affected at county and district level. There is critical infrastructure, and I am thinking back to the north Norfolk coast and Sizewell in Suffolk. There are also lots of Government Departments, the Environment Agency and…”

“Thank you very much for your time today. Many years ago I was a member of the eastern regional flood and coastal committee, as a Norfolk county council representative. It was quite a while ago, in about 2013 or 2014, and I remember distinctly that they were still quite new and setting up. Maybe things have moved on sin…”

“I am very pleased to hear that. Thank you. If I may, Jaap, some of the regional flood and coastal committees are quite focused on coastal erosion, and others are focused on flooding, for example . In your experience, is there the right split between coastal erosion experts versus flooding experts? Do you have the right…”

“Do you think they are the right size? These areas that they cover are vast, and I distinctly remember, as a member for Norfolk, discussing coastal erosion and flooding in Essex, for example, which I had absolutely no knowledge about. Does it work being at a regional level, or could it be improved if it was slightly dif…”

“Thank you very much for your time today. Many years ago I was a member of the eastern regional flood and coastal committee, as a Norfolk county council representative. It was quite a while ago, in about 2013 or 2014, and I remember distinctly that they were still quite new and setting up. Maybe things have moved on sin…”