Norman Baker MP Member of Parliament for Lewes constituency
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Contact Norman at:
Norman Baker,
23 East Street,
Lewes,
East Sussex,
BN7 2LJ.
Tel: (01273) 480281.
Fax: (01273) 480287.
Email: info
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2003 (and previous) press releases
Help Farmers to Help Themselves. Norman Baker calls on Ministers to help farming and safeguard jobs.
Speaking in the debate on environment, food and rural affairs on the floor of the House of Commons, Lib Dem Shadow Environment Secretary Norman Baker called on the government to open more abattoirs and reform the Common Agricultural Policy to help farmers in his constituency and nationwide.
Mr Baker told MPs the number of abattoirs in his constituency has been cut from 3 to zero. He added: "Animals are taken long distances for slaughter, which is bad for the animals, bad for the farmer who has to pay for that and bad for the environment." Mr Baker called on the government to concentrate resources on opening more abattoirs and "filling the gaps that have opened up."
Mr Baker also slammed the government for failing to deliver reform of the EU Common Agricultural Policy. He told the House it is "a drain on the EU budget and an unsustainable way of farming." The CAP gives 80% of the subsidy to 20% of holdings. The Lewes MP admitted the strength of the pound against the Euro was also creating significant difficulties for domestic the farming industry.
Commenting on the debate in the Commons, Norman Baker says:
"Farming is in the midst of a very difficult time up and down the country in the wake of the foot and mouth disaster. 67,000 farming jobs have been lost in the past six years and the average income per farmer is just £10,700 per annum. The government must act now to stop the decline in the industry."
"The government also needs to work with our European partners to reform the CAP. Investment must be diverted away from food production, which leaves us with 'mountains' and 'lakes' of excess produce to supporting farmers' incomes, organic farming and ways of improving the rural environment, for example by reviving hedgerows. A sea change in the way the subsidy is distributed will go a long way towards restoring British farming."