Category: Environment

The comments made by George Eustice, the then Minister for Farming, Food and Fisheries, on 18 December 2013.

The Fixed Quota Allocation provides greater transparency for anyone with an interest in our fishing industry by allowing them to see who has access to the UK’s fishing quota.

This will also improve the management of our fisheries by allowing the fishing industry to make better use of its quota.

The comments made by George Eustice, the then Minister for Farming, Food and Fisheries, on 18 December 2013.

For the first time, people choosing ‘lean’ minced meat will be guaranteed a low fat product. Minced meat will be clearly labelled with the percentage of fat, empowering people to make more informed choices about what they buy.

The comments made by George Eustice, the then Minister for Farming, Food and Fisheries, on 17 December 2013.

Although these were difficult negotiations, I am pleased that we were able to secure the best possible deal for ensuring sustainable fisheries and a strong UK fishing industry.

It was my top priority to ensure that days at sea for fishermen would remain the same next year and that is exactly what has been achieved.

I entered these discussions with the firm belief that any decisions on quotas or days spent at sea need to be based on three clear principles; following scientific advice, fishing sustainably and the need for continued reduction in discarding. We stuck to these principles throughout.

The comments made by George Eustice, the then Minister for Farming, Food and Fisheries, on 27 November 2013.

Sea angling creates money and jobs for rural communities as well as making an important contribution to the national economy. Looking after our sea life is just as much an economic issue as it is an environmental one. It’s in everybody’s interest to manage fish stocks sensibly so people can continue to enjoy the sport and support local businesses.

The comments made by George Eustice, the then Minister for Farming, Food and Fisheries, on 21 November 2013.

We are doing more than ever to protect our marine environment. Almost a quarter of English inshore waters and nine per cent of UK waters will now be better protected.

These Marine Conservation Zones will safeguard a wide range of precious sea life from seahorses to oyster beds and our ambitions do not end there.

This is just the beginning, we plan two further phases over the next three years and work to identify these will begin shortly.

The comments made by George Eustice, the then Minister for Farming, Food and Fisheries, on 20 November 2013.

Agriculture is one of the most vital and rewarding careers on offer today. From food production to science and engineering there is a wealth of opportunity for young people across the sector. Whilst providing us all with the food we eat, farming is also a crucial part of our economy, contributing £9 billion and 450 thousand jobs. We need to make it a more attractive career choice for talented, entrepreneurial young people so it can continue to thrive in the future.

Every industry needs new entrants with fresh ideas to be innovative and competitive and farming is no exception. I want to look at ways of ensuring that bright young people can fulfil their aspirations in the industry.

The comments made by George Eustice, the then Minister for Farming, Food and Fisheries, on 13 November 2013.

The farming industry has always had to contend with risk but the harsh winter last year had a devastating impact on many farmers. As we enter winter it is essential we do all we can to support the industry in its efforts to prepare and plan to mitigate risks. The Met Office’s Get Ready for Winter webpage is an example of joint working to make our industry more resilient.