The Direct Payments to Farmers (Legislative Continuity) Bill 2019-20 (HC Bill 5) was published on 9 January 2020. It received its Second Reading on 21 January and completed its Committee stage on 28 January. The Bill also received its Report and Third Reading on 28 January. It passed its Lords stages on 29 January and received Royal Assent on 30 January 2020.

The Bill does two main things: it makes provision firstly for the incorporation of the Direct Payments Regulation into domestic law for 2020, and secondly it will enable increases in the total maximum amount of direct payments.

An accompanying Explanatory Memorandum was published.

This briefing explains what the Bill does and sets out the wider context on farm support. UK farmers currently receive about £3.5 billion annually in farm support under the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). More than 80% of this support is paid as direct payments, based broadly on the amount of land farmed. Library analysis of funding by constituency is published in this briefing.

The UK leaves the CAP when it leaves the EU. Under the terms of the UK-EU Withdrawal Agreement, most EU regulations governing CAP farm support will cease to apply to the UK from exit day. A new legal basis will therefore be required to enable Ministers to continue direct farm support payments in 2020. The Direct Payments to Farmers (Legislative Continuity) Bill sets out that new legal basis. It provides that on exit day the EU legislation, as it then stands, governing the 2020 CAP direct payment schemes becomes part of domestic law. This will ensure that the scheme can continue in each part of the UK for the claim year 2020.

The Bill includes time-limited powers. It contains a power to make secondary legislation to make corrections to the direct payments body of law to make it operable once the UK has left the EU. It also contains a discretionary power for the Secretary of State or the devolved administrations to replicate amendments the EU makes in that period.

This Bill also includes powers for Ministers to increase the total maximum amount of direct payments in 2020. The Bew Review recommended changes to the way in which UK CAP funds are distributed among the UK nations. Following the Bew Review, the Government increased the amount of direct payments for Scotland and Wales. An increase in the overall UK budget for direct payments will prevent that change from impacting negatively on allocations for Scotland and Wales.

This Bill applies to all parts of the UK. Legislative consent for this Bill is needed from the devolved administrations. This is because the Bill contains provisions affecting Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The wider picture

The Government has guaranteed the annual farm budget for each year of this Parliament. Nearly £3 billion of funding has been provided for 2020. The UK Government funding of £2.852 billion will top up the remaining EU funding to match the total funding for direct payments that was available for 2019.

Agriculture is a devolved issue. Each UK nation is developing its own agricultural policy to apply in the longer term after the UK leaves the CAP.

The Queen’s Speech in December 2019 included an Agriculture Bill which was introduced on 16 January 2020. A similar Agriculture Bill completed its Commons’ Committee Stage during the last Parliament but failed to progress further before the October 2019 dissolution. The Agriculture Bill will reform farm support. It will do so by phasing out direct payments in England over a seven-year period expected to start in 2021. It will also introduce payments for public goods such as environmental and animal welfare improvements. The Labour Party and Liberal Democrat Party Manifestos both broadly support payments based on such an approach. The Labour Party Manifesto also committed to maintaining “agricultural and rural structural funds”.

Farmers have called for Government agricultural policies to put food production at the centre. Specifically, they want production of food itself to be included as a public good eligible for support. Farmers have also called for certainty on future funding levels. The NFU welcomed the £3 billion commitment to 2020 farm funding and the provisions of this Bill. But it would like long term clarity. It has called for a “multi-annual budgetary framework that provides certainty for farmers and allows them to plan and invest for the future”.

The Direct Payments to Farmers Bill received its Second Reading on 21 January 2020. Members from all Parties welcomed the certainty for farm payments the Bill brought in the short-term. However, Opposition Members criticised the delay in progressing the Agriculture Bill in the last Parliament which they said had led to the need for this Bill to fill a legislative gap for 2020. Ministers noted that the Agriculture Bill provided for new schemes from 2021. A number of wider issues were raised which are the subject of Agriculture Bill provisions. These include agriculture’s role in combatting climate change and the need for longer-term certainty in farm funding.

The Bill passed its Committee stage unamended and completed its Commons consideration on 28 January. The Lords considered and passed the Bill unamended on 29 January. The Bill received Royal Assent on 30 January 2020. Secondary legislation under the Act came into effect on exit day, 31 January 2020.

The Direct Payments to Farmers (Legislative Continuity) Bill 2019-20 (HC Bill 5) was published on 9 January 2020. It received its Second Reading on 21 January and completed its Committee stage on 28 January. The Bill also received its Report and Third Reading on 28 January. It passed its Lords stages...

My Lords, I thank the Minister for his informative introduction to this important Bill and for his time and that of the Minister of State for fisheries. I also thank those organisations who have sent me information, and in particular the House of Lords Library for its briefing, which was...

My Lords, I thank the Minister for his informative introduction to this important Bill and for his time and that of the Minister of State for fisheries. I also thank those organisations who have sent me information, and in particular the House of Lords Library for its briefing, which was...

I congratulate the hon. Member for Dudley South (Mike Wood) on securing the debate. There will be a huge level of excitement

and enthusiasm across the publicans’ world when they see the number of Members of Parliament who are showing their support for the industry. Many important points have been...

I congratulate the hon. Member for Dudley South (Mike Wood) on securing the debate. There will be a huge level of excitement

and enthusiasm across the publicans’ world when they see the number of Members of Parliament who are showing their support for the industry. Many important points have been...

Loughborough has 80 pubs and two breweries—I declare an interest, because my son works in one of them. In my maiden speech I referred to reducing business rates for pubs, which I am very keen to do. I am also keen to support the campaigns to cut duty on draught...

Loughborough has 80 pubs and two breweries—I declare an interest, because my son works in one of them. In my maiden speech I referred to reducing business rates for pubs, which I am very keen to do. I am also keen to support the campaigns to cut duty on draught...

I am delighted that leaving the EU means we can take back control of our agriculture policy, and there is much in the Bill to commend it. I want to make three points in the short time I have.

First—on part 1, chapter 1—it is encouraging that clause 1(4) states:

“In framing...

I am delighted that leaving the EU means we can take back control of our agriculture policy, and there is much in the Bill to commend it. I want to make three points in the short time I have.

First—on part 1, chapter 1—it is encouraging that clause 1(4) states:

“In framing...

On 6 February 2020, the House of Lords is due to debate a motion moved by Lord Browne of Ladyton (Labour) that “this House takes note, further to the report by UK FIRES, Absolute Zero, published in November 2019, of technological and lifestyle efforts (1) to address climate change, and (2) to meet the 2050 net zero carbon emissions target”.

UK FIRES is a research collaboration between five UK universities, the purpose of which is to investigate how to improve resource efficiency in industry. In November 2019 it published Absolute Zero, a report that describes how the UK could eliminate all its greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The authors contend that the UK should aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to absolute zero, rather than the “net zero” target specified in the Climate Change Act 2008 (as amended). This would mean not using carbon credits and including international shipping and aviation in the UK’s carbon calculations.

UK FIRES also argues that politicians and other commentators have placed too much confidence in technologies that are not proven at scale to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. For example, Absolute Zero does not include any role for carbon capture and storage or hydrogen as a source of energy in its description of how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In contrast, the Committee on Climate Change states that these technologies will be key in reducing the UK’s net carbon emissions.

This briefing provides an overview of the Absolute Zero report, background to the UK greenhouse gas emissions target and an overview of the Government’s clean growth strategy. It then provides brief descriptions of some of the technological and lifestyle measures that have been advocated to reduce the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions. It compares assessments by UK FIRES, the Committee on Climate Change and the Centre for Alternative Technology about the potential and suitability of these measures.

Further reading on the net zero target, the Clean Growth Strategy, and various technologies is suggested in the relevant sections. General further reading is suggested at the end of the document.

On 6 February 2020, the House of Lords is due to debate a motion moved by Lord Browne of Ladyton (Labour) that “this House takes note, further to the report by UK FIRES, Absolute Zero, published in November 2019, of technological and lifestyle efforts (1) to address climate change, and...

As the Minister just mentioned, this is not just about compensation but about testing. Any cow—or any bovid, such as the bison in Nether Broughton in my constituency—that is diagnosed with bovine TB comes at a huge economic cost to the farmer, so we must get the test right. Does...

As the Minister just mentioned, this is not just about compensation but about testing. Any cow—or any bovid, such as the bison in Nether Broughton in my constituency—that is diagnosed with bovine TB comes at a huge economic cost to the farmer, so we must get the test right. Does...

My hon. Friend makes a very important point; none of the tests that we have are perfect. TB is a difficult, insidious and slow-moving disease that is sometimes difficult to detect. We are doing a big piece of work to try to improve diagnostics, including by looking at options such...

My hon. Friend makes a very important point; none of the tests that we have are perfect. TB is a difficult, insidious and slow-moving disease that is sometimes difficult to detect. We are doing a big piece of work to try to improve diagnostics, including by looking at options such...

I thank my hon. Friend for his intervention. I agree wholeheartedly, and will go into that shortly.

I want to talk about the farmers who do well, the companies that work through them, and the partnerships that are established. Lakeland Dairies, which employs some 260 people, produces milk and powder and...

I thank my hon. Friend for his intervention. I agree wholeheartedly, and will go into that shortly.

I want to talk about the farmers who do well, the companies that work through them, and the partnerships that are established. Lakeland Dairies, which employs some 260 people, produces milk and powder and...

My Lords, I totally welcome the opportunity to speak in this important debate and thank the noble Lord, Lord Collins, for bringing it to the House.

When I was a DfID Minister I visited Zambia, and one day visited one of our projects where we had special practitioners talking to teenage...

My Lords, I totally welcome the opportunity to speak in this important debate and thank the noble Lord, Lord Collins, for bringing it to the House.

When I was a DfID Minister I visited Zambia, and one day visited one of our projects where we had special practitioners talking to teenage...

My Lords, will my noble friend ensure that livestock production is given priority within the definition of food production? Will he assure the House, today, that the Government are not minded to introduce a ban on the trade in live animals? It is a small trade, but it is highly regulated and extremely important to maintaining the price, particularly of spring lambs and suckler cows.

My Lords, will my noble friend ensure that livestock production is given priority within the definition of food production? Will he assure the House, today, that the Government are not minded to introduce a ban on the trade in live animals? It is a small trade, but it is highly regulated and extremely important to maintaining the price, particularly of spring lambs and suckler cows.

My Lords, I am going to make a rather cynical contribution to the debate. The debate has brought out very clearly the difference between accountability and a mandate. I am not in favour of the Government’s hands being tied by Parliament in these negotiations. I agree with the noble Lord,...

My Lords, I am going to make a rather cynical contribution to the debate. The debate has brought out very clearly the difference between accountability and a mandate. I am not in favour of the Government’s hands being tied by Parliament in these negotiations. I agree with the noble Lord,...

We have had a good and well-informed debate. Local government matters. Our councils keep our streets clean. They make our towns and cities safer. They protect and support the most vulnerable in society, and they maintain our open green spaces. When we all inevitably grow older, they should also allow...

We have had a good and well-informed debate. Local government matters. Our councils keep our streets clean. They make our towns and cities safer. They protect and support the most vulnerable in society, and they maintain our open green spaces. When we all inevitably grow older, they should also allow...

Thank you very much, Madam Deputy Speaker. It is a genuine honour to rise to give my first speech and to speak for the first time representing my 91,555 electors. Rising for the first time gives me the opportunity to congratulate you and welcome you to your Chair. It also...

Thank you very much, Madam Deputy Speaker. It is a genuine honour to rise to give my first speech and to speak for the first time representing my 91,555 electors. Rising for the first time gives me the opportunity to congratulate you and welcome you to your Chair. It also...

The hon. Gentleman asks a good question. We know that of the animals affected a number are cows that produce milk. That will obviously affect Australia’s economy and is an absolute tragedy for the local farmers. We do have expertise in this area; whatever help Australia asks for in which...

The hon. Gentleman asks a good question. We know that of the animals affected a number are cows that produce milk. That will obviously affect Australia’s economy and is an absolute tragedy for the local farmers. We do have expertise in this area; whatever help Australia asks for in which...

Indeed. I thank my hon. Friend for raising that important point; if she will forgive me, I will face the Chair. If I have not said it enough, I stress that this is the beginning of the help that we are offering Australia. We realise that the bushfire season is...

Indeed. I thank my hon. Friend for raising that important point; if she will forgive me, I will face the Chair. If I have not said it enough, I stress that this is the beginning of the help that we are offering Australia. We realise that the bushfire season is...

My Lords, it is an honour and privilege to speak at the end of this day’s debate—indeed, this three-day debate—on the gracious Speech. The large list of topics and the large number of speakers proves that we could have done with one more day. I am grateful to my noble...

My Lords, it is an honour and privilege to speak at the end of this day’s debate—indeed, this three-day debate—on the gracious Speech. The large list of topics and the large number of speakers proves that we could have done with one more day. I am grateful to my noble...

My Lords, the gracious Speech programme contains a sackful of measures on criminal justice and justice matters generally. I start by simply making the point that we can legislate until the cows come home but, in almost every part of the judicial system, it is resources that are causing more...

My Lords, the gracious Speech programme contains a sackful of measures on criminal justice and justice matters generally. I start by simply making the point that we can legislate until the cows come home but, in almost every part of the judicial system, it is resources that are causing more...

My Lords, I rise to speak about the climate emergency and declare an interest as a member of the advisory board of the Environmental Change Institute in the University of Oxford. It is a privilege to share in this debate and particularly to welcome the maiden speech of the noble...

My Lords, I rise to speak about the climate emergency and declare an interest as a member of the advisory board of the Environmental Change Institute in the University of Oxford. It is a privilege to share in this debate and particularly to welcome the maiden speech of the noble...

My Lords, I too welcome this debate and the Prime Minister’s commitment to increased spending in this area. I also take note of, and agree with, the slight fear and concern of the

noble Lord, Lord Bruce, that some of the money for this important work will be taken out...

My Lords, I too welcome this debate and the Prime Minister’s commitment to increased spending in this area. I also take note of, and agree with, the slight fear and concern of the

noble Lord, Lord Bruce, that some of the money for this important work will be taken out...