argyrotsipi/train-dataset huggingface dataset:
Brexit: Environmental and Animal Welfare Standards — House of Commons, 2017-07-20
Topic: Agriculture
Victoria Grace Ford (Conservative, Centre-right): In Chelmsford during the recent election, more constituents wrote to me about animal welfare issues than about all other issues put together. People care, and British farm standards on animal welfare are world leading. What steps is my right hon. Friend taking to ensure that British farm standards are not undermined by cheaper, less welfare friendly products from other parts of the world after we leave the EU?
Brexit: Environmental and Animal Welfare Standards — House of Commons, 2017-07-20
Topic: Agriculture
Michael Andrew Gove (Conservative, Centre-right): I congratulate my hon. Friend on her election in Chelmsford and also thank her for her dedicated work in the European Parliament on many of these issues. I, like her, received many representations from constituents about these issues, and my commitment is clear: while we want to lead the world in free trade, we also want to remain a world leader in animal welfare. There will be no compromise on our standards as we seek to ensure that we pilot a better position for British farming and British trade in the future.
Brexit: Environmental and Animal Welfare Standards — House of Commons, 2017-07-20
Topic: Environment
Questions: Fine words, but our bee population requires more as the research published in the peer review journal Science demonstrated just a few weeks ago. Will the Secretary of State today pledge to end the use of neonicotinoids in the UK and tell us whether the precautionary principle adopted by the European Union will be transposed into UK law?
Michael Andrew Gove (Conservative, Centre-right): I share the hon. Gentleman’s commitment to ensure that our bee population and our pollinators are protected. I pay close attention to the science in that report, and we will ensure that our policy on neonicotinoids follows existing EU protections and is enhanced in line with the science.
Brexit: Environmental and Animal Welfare Standards — House of Commons, 2017-07-20
Topic: Environment
Questions: Fine words, but our bee population requires more as the research published in the peer review journal Science demonstrated just a few weeks ago. Will the Secretary of State today pledge to end the use of neonicotinoids in the UK and tell us whether the precautionary principle adopted by the European Union will be transposed into UK law?; Can my right hon. Friend confirm that article 13 of the Lisbon treaty, which categorises animals as sentient beings, will be part of the repeal Bill?
Michael Andrew Gove (Conservative, Centre-right): Absolutely. Before we entered the European Union, we recognised in our own legislation that animals were sentient beings. I am an animal; we are all animals, and therefore I care—[Interruption.] I am predominantly herbivorous, I should add. It is an absolutely vital commitment that we have to ensure that all creation is maintained, enhanced and protected.
Brexit: Environmental and Animal Welfare Standards — House of Commons, 2017-07-20
Topic: Environment
Questions: Fine words, but our bee population requires more as the research published in the peer review journal Science demonstrated just a few weeks ago. Will the Secretary of State today pledge to end the use of neonicotinoids in the UK and tell us whether the precautionary principle adopted by the European Union will be transposed into UK law?; Can my right hon. Friend confirm that article 13 of the Lisbon treaty, which categorises animals as sentient beings, will be part of the repeal Bill?
Caroline Alice Spelman (Conservative, Centre-right): I do not envy the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs the task of transcribing legislation, because 80% of what it deals with is at a European level. However, is it not the case that there are important stakeholders, such as the water industry, that are quite clear that they want the whole canon of legislation to be transcribed as it is into national law?
Brexit: Environmental and Animal Welfare Standards — House of Commons, 2017-07-20
Topic: Environment
Questions: Fine words, but our bee population requires more as the research published in the peer review journal Science demonstrated just a few weeks ago. Will the Secretary of State today pledge to end the use of neonicotinoids in the UK and tell us whether the precautionary principle adopted by the European Union will be transposed into UK law?; Can my right hon. Friend confirm that article 13 of the Lisbon treaty, which categorises animals as sentient beings, will be part of the repeal Bill?
Michael Andrew Gove (Conservative, Centre-right): My right hon. Friend is absolutely right. She was an outstanding Secretary of State in this Department, and the leadership that she continues to show in this area is outstanding, too. She is absolutely right: we want to transcribe and read across existing protections, including the precautionary principle, and then enhance them as and when appropriate.
Brexit: Environmental and Animal Welfare Standards — House of Commons, 2017-07-20
Topic: Agriculture
Questions: Fine words, but our bee population requires more as the research published in the peer review journal Science demonstrated just a few weeks ago. Will the Secretary of State today pledge to end the use of neonicotinoids in the UK and tell us whether the precautionary principle adopted by the European Union will be transposed into UK law?; Can my right hon. Friend confirm that article 13 of the Lisbon treaty, which categorises animals as sentient beings, will be part of the repeal Bill?
Michael Andrew Gove (Conservative, Centre-right): We need to be aware that there are always forces that will lead some small farmers occasionally to want to co-operate with others—to meet capital investment requirements, for example. One thing is clear: I do not want to see, and we will not have, US-style farming in this country. The future for British farming is in quality and provenance, maintaining high environmental and animal welfare standards. We have a world-leading reputation based on doing things better, and that will not be compromised while I am in this Department.
Leaving the EU: Farming — House of Commons, 2017-07-20
Topic: Agriculture
Charles George Eustice (Conservative, Centre-right): Leaving the EU presents a major opportunity for UK agriculture. We will be able to design new domestic policies that benefit British agriculture, the countryside and the environment. We have announced our intention to introduce an agriculture Bill in this parliamentary Session in order to provide stability to farmers as we leave the EU. We have pledged to work with industry to devise a new agri-environment system, to be introduced in the following Parliament.
Leaving the EU: Farming — House of Commons, 2017-07-20
Topic: Agriculture
Robert Alexander Courts (Conservative, Centre-right): One of the most promising opportunities after we leave the EU will be to expand the range of markets available to our farmers, but that will come with corresponding challenges. Will the Minister please explain what the Government propose to do to open the new markets that will be available to the farmers of west Oxfordshire while maintaining our high standards, which are not always observed in other parts of the world?
Leaving the EU: Farming — House of Commons, 2017-07-20
Topic: Foreign Trade
Charles George Eustice (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend makes an important point. Since 2015, DEFRA has opened around 160 new markets to quality British foods. In the future there could be opportunities to export more British produce, particularly meat and dairy. However, as the Secretary of State has made clear, we value our high standards in food production and animal welfare, and they will not be compromised as we develop future trade agreements.
Leaving the EU: Farming — House of Commons, 2017-07-20
Topic: Agriculture
Charles George Eustice (Conservative, Centre-right): I very much agree. One of the great opportunities that we will have after leaving the EU will be the ability to design more effective and better targeted domestic policies to support our environment and promote productive farming.
Leaving the EU: Farming — House of Commons, 2017-07-20
Topic: Agriculture
Charles George Eustice (Conservative, Centre-right): The hon. Gentleman makes an incredibly important point. Agriculture is very important to the Northern Ireland economy—its dairy and poultry sectors are particularly strong. I have previously meet the Ulster Farmers’ Union leaders. Indeed, I met one of the dairy companies from his constituency only yesterday. This Saturday the Secretary of State is planning to meet the president of the Ulster Farmers’ Union.
Leaving the EU: Farming — House of Commons, 2017-07-20
Topic: Agriculture
Charles George Eustice (Conservative, Centre-right): Some of these matters are obviously already devolved. I think that everybody recognises that there also needs to be some kind of UK framework to protect the integrity of the UK single market. On leaving the EU, we will take control of our agriculture policy, and there is an opportunity to give all the devolved Administrations more control than they currently enjoy to be able to do that while protecting the integrity of the single market.
Leaving the EU: Farming — House of Commons, 2017-07-20
Topic: Agriculture
Charles George Eustice (Conservative, Centre-right): Yes; my hon. Friend is absolutely right. We believe that there should be careful risk-based assessment when it comes to regulation. We also have a great opportunity to change the culture of regulation. The reality of the common agricultural policy, as it exists now, is that there are far too many complex rules against which farmers are judged. We have an opportunity to simplify that and have a much more effective system going forward.
Leaving the EU: Farming — House of Commons, 2017-07-20
Topic: Agriculture
Charles George Eustice (Conservative, Centre-right): The issue with that report is that it has not looked at the issues as closely as we have in DEFRA. We have been studying all these issues at tremendous length. The truth about food security is that it depends on increasing food production globally at a sustainable level and on open markets around the world, and those are challenges whether we are in or out of the EU. There is nothing about leaving the EU that will affect our food security.
CAP Successor Scheme: Scotland — House of Commons, 2017-07-20
Topic: Agriculture
Questions: What recent discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on a successor scheme to the Common Agricultural Policy after the UK leaves the EU.
Michael Andrew Gove (Conservative, Centre-right): Since being appointed as the Secretary of State, I have met the Scottish Agriculture Minister and the Scottish Environment Minister at the royal highland show. I will continue to work with all of the devolved Administrations, and indeed to consult more widely, on the design of any new system of agricultural support.
CAP Successor Scheme: Scotland — House of Commons, 2017-07-20
Topic: Agriculture
Questions: What recent discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on a successor scheme to the Common Agricultural Policy after the UK leaves the EU.
Michael Andrew Gove (Conservative, Centre-right): What I can confirm is that the conversation I had with the Scottish Agriculture Minister and the Scottish Environment Minister was cordial. We have committed to working constructively together, and each of the devolved Assemblies and devolved Administrations has a role to play in helping us to design the successor regime to the common agricultural policy.
CAP Successor Scheme: Scotland — House of Commons, 2017-07-20
Topic: Agriculture
Questions: What recent discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on a successor scheme to the Common Agricultural Policy after the UK leaves the EU.
Christopher Paul Davies (Conservative, Centre-right): The greatest agricultural event not just in Britain, but in Europe and indeed the world—the royal Welsh show—is taking place next week. Does my right hon. Friend agree with me and with the 250,000 people who attend the event that, in a pre and a post-Brexit world, the best showcasing of agriculture is taking place in Builth Wells?
CAP Successor Scheme: Scotland — House of Commons, 2017-07-20
Topic: Agriculture
Questions: What recent discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on a successor scheme to the Common Agricultural Policy after the UK leaves the EU.
Michael Andrew Gove (Conservative, Centre-right): I can absolutely confirm that to my hon. Friend. I am looking forward to going to Builth Wells on Monday. It will be my second visit to Wales in a week; I was in Cardiff last week talking to NFU Cymru, the Farmers Union of Wales, and the Country Land and Business Association in Wales. As someone whose wife is Welsh, my affection for my hon. Friend’s constituency—and, indeed, for the royal Welsh show and for Welsh agriculture—is second to none.
Animal Welfare — House of Commons, 2017-07-20
Topic: Agriculture
Michael Andrew Gove (Conservative, Centre-right): Thank you very much, Mr Speaker—[Interruption.] Well, I think we are all on the same page in the Conservative party and singing from the same hymn sheet We have some of the highest animal welfare standards in the world, and I am continually building on this. We plan reforms to pet sales and licensing, to live exports, and to welfare at slaughter, and we are considering some other animal welfare measures as well.
Animal Welfare — House of Commons, 2017-07-20
Topic: Environment
Olukemi Olufunto Badenoch (Conservative, Centre-right): I thank the Minister for his answer. Like many colleagues in the House, I have received huge volumes of correspondence on this issue. Will he commit to consulting closely with environmental and animal welfare groups when establishing these new regulations?
Animal Welfare — House of Commons, 2017-07-20
Topic: Environment
Michael Andrew Gove (Conservative, Centre-right): Absolutely. May I take this opportunity to congratulate my hon. Friend not just on her election to this House but on her brilliant maiden speech yesterday? Consultation with environmental and animal welfare groups has been at the heart of the approach that DEFRA has taken, and it has also been central to developing the new policy agenda that I hope to take forward.
Animal Welfare — House of Commons, 2017-07-20
Topic: Agriculture
John Simon Bercow (Conservative, Centre-right): I am a little uncertain as to how the animals were impacted on by this matter, but I do not think any further adumbration on the issue is required from the hon. Gentleman; the Secretary of State seems at home, so let us hear from the fella.
Animal Welfare — House of Commons, 2017-07-20
Topic: Environment
Michael Andrew Gove (Conservative, Centre-right): The hon. Gentleman is a doughty champion for his constituents, never more so than in raising this case. I have already talked to the Environment Agency about the increase in the number of illegal waste sites and the damage that that does to human and, indeed, animal health and welfare. We are reviewing how we investigate and prosecute the criminals behind this activity.
Animal Welfare — House of Commons, 2017-07-20
Topic: Agriculture
Philip Andrew Davies (Conservative, Centre-right): I am sure that people will be greatly reassured by what the Secretary of State has said today about animal welfare. On the back of that, will the Government commit to increase the penalties for people convicted of animal cruelty?
Animal Welfare — House of Commons, 2017-07-20
Topic: Law and Crime
Michael Andrew Gove (Conservative, Centre-right): I am actively reviewing this matter. As my hon. Friend knows, I am not someone who will automatically reach for stronger criminal sanctions as the only route to dealing with a problem, but there are particular cases of animal cruelty where we may well need to revisit the existing criminal sanctions in order to ensure that the very worst behaviour is dealt with using the full force of the law.
Leaving the EU: Food Security — House of Commons, 2017-07-20
Topic: Foreign Trade
Charles George Eustice (Conservative, Centre-right): Food security depends on global factors including increasing global production sustainably, reducing waste, and ensuring open markets to facilitate trade around the world. With regard to the EU, we are prioritising securing the freest trade possible, including an ambitious and comprehensive free trade agreement and a new customs agreement.
Leaving the EU: Food Security — House of Commons, 2017-07-20
Topic: Agriculture
Charles George Eustice (Conservative, Centre-right): The Foresight report to which the right hon. Gentleman refers set out that this country has a high level of food security. We have open markets, and a relatively high level of self-sufficiency as well, although that is not the key factor in food security. The report actually highlighted that there were no issues on food security. As I said earlier, we do not believe that leaving the EU has any impact on food security at all.
Leaving the EU: Food Security — House of Commons, 2017-07-20
Topic: Foreign Trade
Nigel Martin Evans (Conservative, Centre-right): Food security can be enhanced by supporting the export of great British foods throughout the world. It is no surprise that I love British food and drink—particularly Lancashire cheese and British beer, both produced in my constituency. Will the Minister ensure that as we approach Brexit and these trade deals, we do a lot more to ensure that many more markets around the world can enjoy the food that I enjoy here in this country?
Leaving the EU: Food Security — House of Commons, 2017-07-20
Topic: Foreign Trade
Charles George Eustice (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend is absolutely right. We made it clear in our manifesto that we want to open new markets and to produce more and export more great British food from this country. He cites some great examples from his own constituency. We continue to press hard to open new markets and create new opportunities.
Leaving the EU: Food Security — House of Commons, 2017-07-20
Topic: Agriculture
Charles George Eustice (Conservative, Centre-right): I had a meeting with the Tenancy Reform Industry Group just a couple of weeks ago, where we discussed in detail the issue of tenancy law, including whether we could review the workings of existing farm business tenancies and whether we could do more to encourage models such as contract farming, share farming and franchise farming to create new opportunities for new entrants.
Rural Economy — House of Commons, 2017-07-20
Topic: Technology
Thérèse Anne Coffey (Conservative, Centre-right): The Government are absolutely committed to supporting and strengthening the rural economy to allow good businesses to grow and thrive. We have invested nearly £2 billion of public funding in delivering superfast broadband. We have the universal service obligation, and we will be securing improvements to mobile connectivity in rural areas.
Rural Economy — House of Commons, 2017-07-20
Topic: Agriculture
Edward Julian Egerton Leigh (Conservative, Centre-right): The best way to help the rural economy is to keep farmers in business. Will my hon. Friend will give me a modest little birthday present today, and undertake to be positive about reintroducing a deficiency payments scheme? That scheme was very popular with farmers before 1972, and the United States introduced such a scheme after 2002 that was not contrary to World Trade Organisation rules. The scheme would actually help the rural economy greatly.
Rural Economy — House of Commons, 2017-07-20
Topic: Agriculture
Thérèse Anne Coffey (Conservative, Centre-right): We will study my hon. Friend’s comments carefully. I must admit that I was born in 1971, so I do not have any direct knowledge, but he will know of the ongoing support that the Conservative Government will continue to give farmers, and we have made a commitment to continue that stable support as we transition out of the EU.
Rural Economy — House of Commons, 2017-07-20
Topic: Foreign Trade
Thérèse Anne Coffey (Conservative, Centre-right): The right hon. Gentleman will be aware that the Government have set out the approach we intend to seek for a comprehensive free trade agreement with the European Union once we depart from it. We want to provide such clarity as soon as possible, and he will be aware that the negotiations are ongoing.
Rural Economy — House of Commons, 2017-07-20
Topic: Agriculture
Questions: I note that the Minister is aware that the cost of the bureaucracy related to applying for common agricultural policy subsidies has been considerable for farmers over recent years. Will she reassure me that this cost under the new British agricultural policy, or whatever it ends up being called, will be considerably lower and that it will be easier to apply for?
Thérèse Anne Coffey (Conservative, Centre-right): I am very happy to assure my hon. Friend that our future agricultural policy will be designed in a way that reduces needless and energy-sapping bureaucracy. We expect it to be simpler than the CAP, but she will recognise that we have a duty to ensure that taxpayers’ money is spent carefully and transparently. We will continue to reward farmers and landowners, who manage our precious countryside, in a way that supports the best environmental outcomes.
Rural Economy — House of Commons, 2017-07-20
Topic: Technology
Questions: I note that the Minister is aware that the cost of the bureaucracy related to applying for common agricultural policy subsidies has been considerable for farmers over recent years. Will she reassure me that this cost under the new British agricultural policy, or whatever it ends up being called, will be considerably lower and that it will be easier to apply for?
Thérèse Anne Coffey (Conservative, Centre-right): The hon. Gentleman will be aware that the Welsh Assembly Government are working closely with local communities and BT Openreach to reach such places. I am sure he will be able to follow up on that directly, but I will pass on his concerns to my right hon. Friend the Minister for Digital.
EU Markets (West Country Food Exporters) — House of Commons, 2017-07-20
Topic: Foreign Trade
Charles George Eustice (Conservative, Centre-right): As the right hon. Gentleman knows, I have a number of leading west country food manufacturers in my constituency, including Falfish and Rodda’s cream, both of which are successful exporters. In addition, we are working closely with trade organisations, such as the Food and Drink Federation, to understand the needs of the industry. We have been clear that we intend to put in place a new partnership with the EU, which will include a comprehensive free trade agreement.
EU Markets (West Country Food Exporters) — House of Commons, 2017-07-20
Topic: Foreign Trade
Charles George Eustice (Conservative, Centre-right): As the right hon. Gentleman will know, the UK has a significant trade deficit in food and drink products with the EU, so the EU needs access to our market as well. We have a significant deficit of around £18 billion a year, and I believe it is in the EU’s interests, therefore, to secure a free trade agreement too.
EU Markets (West Country Food Exporters) — House of Commons, 2017-07-20
Topic: Agriculture
Marcus John Hudson Fysh (Conservative, Centre-right): I am afraid I am not going to speak about fish today, Mr Speaker, but another time I will be happy to do so Farmers in Somerset expect their Government to negotiate continued tariff-free cross-channel trade, and hundreds of thousands of farmers across the EU expect the same of theirs. What are Ministers doing to secure engagement now between Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs and Europe’s national customs agencies to ensure that timely and appropriate data exchange keeps agricultural trade smooth after we leave the EU?