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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
This House of Lords Library briefing contains a selection of material relevant for the forthcoming question for short debate on 25 February 2020 on what steps the Government are taking to establish a trade standards commission in advance of negotiating trade deals.
This House of Lords Library Briefing has been prepared in advance of the second reading of the Fisheries Bill [HL], scheduled to take place on 11 February 2020.
This House of Lords Library briefing provides information ahead of the House of Lords debate on the threats posed by pests and diseases to native trees in the United Kingdom.
This House of Lords Library Briefing has been prepared in advance of the debate on 6 February 2020 on technological and lifestyle efforts to address climate change, and to meet the 2050 net zero carbon emissions target.
This article provides a summary of statistics on the UK rural economy, including: how many people live rural communities; what types of business operate in rural areas and how much does the rural economy contribute to UK economic output overall.