Nigel Evans, Member of Parliament for the Ribble Valley, yesterday took the opportunity to ask the Leader of the House for a debate on farming: 26 Nov 2009 : Column 689 Hansard Mr. Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley) (Con): May I add my support to the calls for a general debate on farming? In 2000 there were 1,144 dairy farms in Lancashire; today there are 634-a drop of 45 per cent. There has been a similar drop in my constituency. The Leader of the House knows how important dairy farming is for food security and the environment. Please may we have an early debate? Ms Harman: I stress the importance of dairy farming and beef farming; I hope that my rather flippant answer earlier will not be taken be amiss. There is no intention to change policy: we strongly support not only healthy eating and tackling climate change, but farming and the countryside. After leaving the Chamber, Mr Evans added, “It is very important that we continue to highlight the difficulties that farmers face and the role that they play in food security and the environment. I sincerely hope that the Leader of the House will seriously consider a debate in the very near future. The relevant section of Hansard can be found at the following link: |