Agriculture & Farming Archives - House of Lords Library

Hungry for Change: Food, Poverty, Health and the Environment Committee report

Friday, 04 June, 2021

In July 2020, the House of Lords Food, Poverty and the Environment Committee published its report: ‘Hungry for Change: Fixing the Failures in Food’. The committee found that the UK’s food system—the production, manufacture, retail and consumption of food—“is failing”. It made a series of recommendations built around the central aim of ensuring that everyone, regardless of income, has access to a healthy and sustainable diet.

Hungry for Change: Food, Poverty, Health and the Environment Committee report

Environment Bill: Briefing for Lords Stages

Thursday, 03 June, 2021

The Environment Bill would establish a new environmental governance system, including the setting of long-term targets and the creation of an Office for Environmental Protection. It also includes measures on improving air quality, waste management and recycling, water management, biodiversity and conservation covenants. The bill is due to have it second reading in the House of Lords on 7 June 2021, having been carried over from the last session.

Environment Bill: Briefing for Lords Stages

Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill [HL]

Wednesday, 26 May, 2021

The Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill [HL] would enshrine the recognition of the sentience of vertebrate animals in domestic law. It would also establish an animal sentience committee that would report on whether government policymaking considers that animals are sentient beings capable of feeling emotions and experiencing pain.

In Focus

Queen’s Speech 2021: agriculture and animal welfare

Thursday, 06 May, 2021

The 2019 Conservative Party manifesto included a commitment to reform UK agriculture and improve animal welfare. During the 2017–19 session, the Government passed the Agriculture Act 2020 and supported a private member’s bill extending sentences for animal cruelty. The Government has said it will introduce legislation banning the live export of animals in the new session. It has also said it will introduce legislation on the recognition of animal sentience when parliamentary time allows.
In Focus

Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill

Thursday, 01 April, 2021

This article considers the Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill, which would increase the maximum sentence available in the worst cases of animal cruelty to five years in prison and/or an unlimited fine.
In Focus

Peatland burning: New regulations for blanket bog habitats

Friday, 12 March, 2021

In February 2021, the Government introduced new regulations banning the burning of certain types of vegetation on protected blanket bog peatland without a licence in England. On 18 March 2021, the House of Lords will debate a motion criticising the new regulations as not adequately protecting peatland or reducing UK carbon emissions. This article summarises what the regulations do and what the reaction to them has been since they were announced.
In Focus

Agricultural tenancy reform

Friday, 15 January, 2021

In October 2017, the Tenancy Reform Industry Group highlighted potential barriers to productivity in the farming sector caused by agricultural tenancy laws and proposed ideas for reform. This article provides a summary of that report and action the Government has taken since.
In Focus

Regulation of organic products and genetically modified organisms

Friday, 06 November, 2020

The regulation of organic products, and of genetically modified organisms, is based on EU law. The European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 brings this EU law into UK statute, so that it will continue to have effect after the end of the transition period. Amendments since have ensured that the retained law refers to the UK system, not the EU. However, under the Northern Ireland Protocol, Northern Ireland will remain subject to the EU’s laws. This article looks at two statutory instruments that further amend the 2019 regulations so that they refer only to Great Britain, enabling Northern Ireland to continue to meet EU law.
Research Briefing

Trade Bill: Briefing for Lords Stages

Thursday, 27 August, 2020

This government bill would introduce measures to support the UK in implementing an independent trade policy, having left the European Union.
In Focus

UK import restrictions: Controlling the spread of Xylella

Thursday, 25 June, 2020

Xylella fastidiosa is a bacteria that can cause severe disease and death in certain plants. This article explains what the disease is and discusses recent restrictions on plant imports that the UK Government has imposed to reduce the risk of it being introduced to the UK. Xylella is due to be the subject of an oral question in the House of Lords on 8 July 2020.
In Focus

Direct payments to farmers: Derogation from crop diversification requirements for 2020

Friday, 29 May, 2020

Farm businesses receive direct payments based on the amount of agricultural land that they maintain. Farmers receive payments if they meet certain requirements, including crop diversification requirements. This articles discusses what direct payments are, in addition to the Government’s statutory instrument that would set aside the requirements to qualify for direct payments for 2020.
Research Briefing

Agriculture Bill: Briefing for Lords Stages

Friday, 22 May, 2020

The House of Lords stages of the Agriculture Bill began on 18 May 2020 with first reading.
Research Briefing

Coronavirus: Food Supply and Food Security

Thursday, 07 May, 2020

How has coronavirus impacted both food supply chains and food security in the UK? This briefing explores the latest facts and figures.
In Focus

A possible plague? Locust infestations in the southern hemisphere

Thursday, 09 April, 2020
Research Briefing

Future UK-EU Relationship: Approach to Negotiations

Thursday, 12 March, 2020

On 31 January 2020, the UK left the EU under the terms of the withdrawal agreement. This provided for an implementation period during which most EU laws, including new laws, would continue to apply to the UK. The transition period will last until 31 December 2020, unless the UK and EU agree an extension.

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