Eustice getting a bit of a grilling at #NFU20
The first questioner says HMG has not done enough to address flooding in the countryside
He says floods have damaged soil in areas like Lincolnshire, which produces 27% of UK veg
"One of the biggest barriers is government policy"
Groans from farmers in the audience after Eustice says they can wait until June to see if the soil is healthy enough for crops
Batters tells him: "You're the sixth secretary of states which I've worked with in six years and that's one of the challenges I've faced" #NFU20
NFU official says they're "deeply disappointed" by the points-based system
They say it's "imperative" that agriculture & horticulture are on the shortage sector list
"No labour, no business. It's as simple as that"
Eustice says he wants those sectors on the shortage list
Food standards!...
Eustice: "I didn't say there was room for compromise [with US], I said there was room for discussion"
Batters says the lack of concrete reassurance is "terrifying" and asks whether HMG will accept a Lords amendment
"I can't give you any such assurance"...
This is the amendment Batters was referring to when asking Eustice about food standards just now #NFU20
HMG is refusing to accept it (Eustice just confirmed this again) despite claiming to agree with its substance
businessinsider.com/british-farmer…
A must-see #NFU20 exchange between Minette Batters and George Eustice on food standards
Batters: "This will test the moral compass of government...
“That amendment has to stay in and if it is taken out, we will know the road that we are on” businessinsider.com/boris-johnson-…
Batters: “My worry is we are talking a lot about raising the bar for farmers here, and taking them higher up the ladder... when we have no assurance at all on the standard of food imports and that does one thing: puts these guys out of business." businessinsider.com/boris-johnson-…
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