Tag Archives: agriculture
-
-
Brexit Not Looking Good for Farmers
Visiting Fortshot House Farm near Wike last week I discussed a number of issues facing farmers in Yorkshire, with none more pressing than what Brexit could mean for their future.
-
Brexit and Agriculture: Growing Concerns
At a conference for the agriculture sector in York, four areas of concern about Brexit emerged from those working in the industry: EU Labour, threats to income, future trade agreements and food standards. The government should be listening to their concerns.
-
What does the election result mean for Brexit?
The electorate rejected May’s approach to Brexit. But as a result of losing her majority, she has now made an alliance with the DUP. Uncertainty reigns. There is no majority in Parliament for a hard Brexit, but what is there a majority for?
-
Brexit and Agriculture
Leaving the EU will presumably mean leaving the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).Currently, some 55% of total UK farm income comes from CAP support. If we don’t want to see a massive decline in our farming sector and an end to some much loved landscapes, replacing that in some way has to be a top priority.
-
UK Agriculture faces huge challenges from Brexit. Why aren’t the Leavers listening?
The House of Lords, leading agri-companies and individual farmers are very concerned about the impact of Brexit upon their their sector. Yet the government has given few assurances to this vital sector of our economy.
-
Brexit and the Environment
One of the most important issues in the Brexit debate is the environment, but it is hardly a surprise that this Tory government does not appear to be concerned about how leaving the EU will threaten the UK’s environmental protections, given that one of Theresa May’s first acts as Prime Minister was to scrap the Department for the Energy and Climate Change.
-
Migrant labour in Goole
I visited a market farmer near Goole and talked to ITV News about migrant labour in the agricultural sector.
-
50 EU benefits #05
Without EU, countries would compete to subsidise farmers, costing millions & crowding out lower spenders.
-
Enjoying Yorkshire rhubarb
Yesterday I had the pleasure of meeting a number of farmers who work in the “rhubarb triangle” — the area between Leeds, Bradford and Wakefield which leads the world in the production of “forced rhubarb”. This remarkable growing technique involves developing the plant’s root system for an extended period, then transplanting it into dark warm […]
-
Food security and the New Alliance
Along with many MEP colleagues, I’ve received a large number of emails from constituents, raising concerns about the New Alliance for Food Security. The European Parliament’s Committee on Development is preparing a report on the New Alliance. The report is due to be voted on in April and as part of the preparation, the Committee […]
-
Cloning of farm animals
European countries are discussing whether to adopt a single policy on farm animal cloning for the single market. Since all EU laws need the approval both of national ministers and elected MEPs, the European Parliament will be voting next week on a proposal to ban the cloning of farm animals. Labour MEPs are of the […]
-
Vote first, ask questions later
A strange thing happened last week in the European Parliament. UKIP MEPs refused to support a move to return EU decision-making powers to individual countries. The issue in question was the cultivation of genetically-modified organisms. Years ago, EU countries agreed to take decisions jointly on whether to allow genetically-modified crops to be grown in Europe. […]
-
Small hive beetle outbreak in Italy
Question In September 2014 the presence of the small hive beetle (Aethina tumida) in the European Union was confirmed for the first time, in two separate locations in the Reggio Calabria region of south-west Italy. Meanwhile, the European Food Safety Authority had already conducted a risk assessment on the entry of bee pests into the […]
-
The friend of farmers
Agriculture is important for Yorkshire & Humber. There are over 12,000 holdings, and nearly two thirds of them are small farms of less than 100 hectares (250 acres). Over a fifth are grazing in Less Favoured Areas/Areas of Natural Constraint. Overall, farming has bucked the trend during the recession. According to the National Farmers Union, […]
