Tonight I shall vote to back Britain's farmers as the House of Commons considers the details of legislation that will put in place a new system of support for our farmers. This will also protect our environment and maintain our high standards and ensures food is produced in a more sustainable way.
Outside of the European Union, we have the opportunity to replace Brussels’ Common Agricultural Policy, which has never worked for British farmers, with a new system that truly works for the UK. This not-fir-for-purpose policy was a dream for backroom bureaucrats but a nightmare for our farmers.
Through our landmark Agriculture Bill, we will introduce an ambitious new land management scheme in England, based on the principle of public money for public goods, where farmers are rewarded for the work they do to safeguard the environment and help us meet crucial goals on climate change. Despite scaremongering from the Labour Party, we made an unequivocal commitment in our manifesto that we will never compromise on our high environmental and animal welfare standards in trade negotiations.