The future of farming: Carmichael secures House of Commons debate
Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has secured a debate in the House of Commons on the future of farming, to be held on Thursday 13th March. The backbench debate will cover a wide range of farming issues across the United Kingdom, including the government’s planned increase to inheritance tax on agricultural land, international trade and changes to land management schemes.
Mr Carmichael secured the debate with the backing of signed by 67 MPs across Parliament and with support from MPs from 9 different parties.
Mr Carmichael is Chair of the House of Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee. The Committee recently launched a separate inquiry into the future of farming, with ongoing evidence sessions hearing testimony from government officials, ministers and independent farming and rural experts.
Mr Carmichael said:
“I am delighted to have secured this debate on behalf of farmers and crofters in the Northern Isles and across the country. The challenges facing farmers, crofters and rural communities in general have been a topic of immense interest to the public and to Parliament in recent months. Quite apart from the controversy over new taxes on agricultural land, there is a myriad of policy areas worth of discussion in a parliamentary debate on the future of farming.
“The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee which I chair has recently announced its own dedicated inquiry into the future of farming. This debate is the opportunity for MPs across Parliament to highlight issues to that inquiry and to get the widest possible perspective for our work.
“With a new government and many new MPs representing rural and agricultural communities in all parties it is an ideal time to bring this topic to the House for debate. I am enormously grateful to the dozens of MPs from all parties who backed the debate application. We all recognise the many challenges facing farmers, crofters and other food producers and we all want them to succeed. I would encourage farmers and other in rural communities to get in touch and make their voice heard ahead of the debate on the 13th of March.”