There are a number of different farming systems within the UK and farms of all sizes have a role to play in promoting sustainable UK agriculture. I know that the previous Government sought to promote efficient, competitive farming, but did not seek to favour large- or small-scale farms.
I note your concerns about pollution and the environmental impact of farming. While the last Government was committed to minimising pollution from all types of farming, including production systems where animals are housed indoors for some or all of the year and which accumulate manures and slurries, much remains unclear on whether the new Labour Government will maintain this focus. Indeed, as you may be aware, it was disappointing that the Labour manifesto only had 87 words on farming so I sympathise with the sector which I imagine is seeking clarification on the new Government's policies.
However, I hope I can reassure you that the UK's legal standards, including the nitrates and silage, slurry and agricultural fuel oil regulations, all require manure produced in livestock housing (including slurry) to be stored responsibly and for a long enough time to ensure it is spread in a way that minimises water pollution. Furthermore, the farming rules for water and nitrates regulations require these manures to be spread according to appropriate volumes, locations and timescales to minimise pollution.
In addition, the last Government introduced farming schemes to provide revenue and capital funding to help farmers build the infrastructure necessary to manage manures to reduce pollution. For example, a dairy farmer has been able to utilise Sustainable Farming Incentive funding for measures to reduce soil erosion and runoff from their fields, and Slurry Infrastructure Grant funding to expand and cover their slurry store according to best practice.
More broadly, all farms must comply with comprehensive UK law on animal health and welfare, planning, veterinary medicines and environmental legislation. Stockmanship and high husbandry standards are key to ensuring appropriate welfare standards for all farmed animals.
The last Government committed to supporting farmers to exceed the UK's existing world-leading animal welfare standards, including through the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway. As part of this, a full monitoring, evaluation and learning plan for the pathway was in place to help assess the impact of financial support being offered to farmers.
I firmly believe that protecting the natural environment is important across the country for the benefit of future generations. Regarding your concerns, please know that I understand your worries about nature, the environment, animal welfare and planning reform. It is important that the planning system takes many factors into consideration and I will hold the Government’s planning reforms to account.
I hope the Labour Government does not let farmers or the environment down by failing to take this issue as seriously as the last Government did. However, the new Government has already broken promises to farmers as shown by the callous family farm tax which will see families lose their livelihoods and homes, and there is no guarantee land sold will be used to grow food risking food prices increases, more food being imported, and the countryside being concreted over.
