Lords question for short debate on what action they are taking to tackle the causes of the long-term decline of the British pig industry.

Lords question for short debate on what action they are taking to tackle the causes of the long-term decline of the British pig industry.

If the noble Lord had paid close attention to our position, I have identified the steps by which we have moved towards establishing the issue of food labelling. He will know that this is part of a European perspective: the whole issue about this industry is that we cannot look...

If the noble Lord had paid close attention to our position, I have identified the steps by which we have moved towards establishing the issue of food labelling. He will know that this is part of a European perspective: the whole issue about this industry is that we cannot look...

The key issue is the quality of the work being done, and the progress that has been made by the task force. There is no doubt that it has achieved a great deal during its year. The task force agreed a number of measures that commend themselves to the House,...

The key issue is the quality of the work being done, and the progress that has been made by the task force. There is no doubt that it has achieved a great deal during its year. The task force agreed a number of measures that commend themselves to the House,...

My Lords, I am grateful to all noble Lords who have participated in this debate, particularly the noble Lord, Lord Palmer, for securing it and introducing it in such a clear and forthright manner. I recognise the points that he made in his opening contribution. Everyone has declared an interest...

My Lords, I am grateful to all noble Lords who have participated in this debate, particularly the noble Lord, Lord Palmer, for securing it and introducing it in such a clear and forthright manner. I recognise the points that he made in his opening contribution. Everyone has declared an interest...

I have a simple question. There are 18 members of the task force. Only one represents consumers. Six represent producers and five represent the big four supermarkets. Would the Minister say that that is an equitable situation?

I have a simple question. There are 18 members of the task force. Only one represents consumers. Six represent producers and five represent the big four supermarkets. Would the Minister say that that is an equitable situation?

My Lords, I congratulate the noble Lord, Lord Palmer, on securing this debate, the last set-piece debate of this Parliament, if I am not mistaken. I declare an interest as a member of the NFU, which has submitted a briefing, and as a farmer, although we keep no pigs. In...

My Lords, I congratulate the noble Lord, Lord Palmer, on securing this debate, the last set-piece debate of this Parliament, if I am not mistaken. I declare an interest as a member of the NFU, which has submitted a briefing, and as a farmer, although we keep no pigs. In...

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord, Lord Palmer, for giving us the opportunity of this debate, which perhaps will be the last before we formally go into wash-up tomorrow. Like the noble Lord, I should declare our family farming interests. We used to run 120 breeding sows, which in...

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord, Lord Palmer, for giving us the opportunity of this debate, which perhaps will be the last before we formally go into wash-up tomorrow. Like the noble Lord, I should declare our family farming interests. We used to run 120 breeding sows, which in...

My Lords, I have acute sinusitis and I apologise if somewhere in my speech it takes me over. It is a long time since I have been involved with the British pig industry. I am delighted that the noble Lord, Lord Palmer, has brought this to the attention of the...

My Lords, I have acute sinusitis and I apologise if somewhere in my speech it takes me over. It is a long time since I have been involved with the British pig industry. I am delighted that the noble Lord, Lord Palmer, has brought this to the attention of the...

Tabled by To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they are taking to tackle the causes of the long-term decline of the British pig industry.

Tabled by To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they are taking to tackle the causes of the long-term decline of the British pig industry.

My Lords, I am grateful for having been given this slot on such an historic day and, indeed, for the very impressive list of speakers. I am especially grateful to the noble Lord, Lord Davies, who I know has already had a very busy day. I declare an interest as...

My Lords, I am grateful for having been given this slot on such an historic day and, indeed, for the very impressive list of speakers. I am especially grateful to the noble Lord, Lord Davies, who I know has already had a very busy day. I declare an interest as...

I am grateful to the Minister. Is it not a pity that, in 12 years of government, the Government have blocked Private Members' Bills that have been put forward to improve labelling and give people more choice? It must be one of the things that the Minister regrets, because it...

I am grateful to the Minister. Is it not a pity that, in 12 years of government, the Government have blocked Private Members' Bills that have been put forward to improve labelling and give people more choice? It must be one of the things that the Minister regrets, because it...

Yes, but labelling is only part of this. We need the totality of the position endorsed. Certainly there is no point in talking about labelling unless you have a clear idea of how supermarkets are going to go about their job. The noble Lord, Lord Livsey, asked about the supermarket...

Yes, but labelling is only part of this. We need the totality of the position endorsed. Certainly there is no point in talking about labelling unless you have a clear idea of how supermarkets are going to go about their job. The noble Lord, Lord Livsey, asked about the supermarket...

My Lords, before the Minister sits down, by leave of the House with the time limit not being exceeded, and declaring an interest as an NFU member and a landowner, he has not answered the point of many speakers: the progress on food labelling has been appalling since the Government...

My Lords, before the Minister sits down, by leave of the House with the time limit not being exceeded, and declaring an interest as an NFU member and a landowner, he has not answered the point of many speakers: the progress on food labelling has been appalling since the Government...