Speeches by Dyke.

“Leaving thousands of South East Water customers without access to drinking water has become a pattern of neglect, enabled by a water system that fails to hold water companies accountable for their actions. Whether it is environmental disruption or consistent water disruption, this situation is simply unacceptable, but …”

“I was very proud to table a good food Bill in Parliament recently, so I fully endorse that. Thank you. Tim, just going back to you, you have warned that the UK food system is highly exposed to these external shocks that we have spoken about already this morning. How does that disruption to energy, fertiliser and shippi…”

“Good morning all. We have said that volatility is the new norm; we need to have a system that is able to deal with that. On the other side we have many more people falling into food poverty and food insecurity. What do you feel are the most serious threats? We have discussed this a little around the threats to UK food …”

“Yes, exactly; it would set out those long-term targets for food security. It could tap into food production and innovation, ensuring that our farmers are growing the right crops and planting beans when they should. It would also help with food security and bringing people out of food poverty. Hannah, why do you think i…”

“We should be making sure that we have access to food that is resilient, nutritious, and affordable.”

“That leads on to the point that we have seen the same structural vulnerabilities play out again around food security, have we not? To Tim’s point that it should be a national public good, should we leave it to the markets? What would that mean?”

“I am going to take you back to climate change. What impact do you think it will have?”

“We have been discussing our increasing dependence on food imports at this time of geopolitical instability, but also climate change disruption. What are your views on the long-term strategic priorities needed to improve our food system’s resilience to these shocks, particularly around climate change? I am a farmer’s da…”

“It seems to me, Chair, that Britain needs a good food Bill.”

“Food prices have become the biggest pressure on family budgets, and our food system is failing households, farmers and the economy alike. It is clear that a good food Bill is a glaring missed opportunity to back British farmers and improve public health, so does my hon. Friend agree that we cannot have food security wi…”

“Your point is that if we do not put some framework in place the reality will be stark.”

“What do those strategic priorities look like?”

“It is a pleasure to serve with you in the Chair, Mrs Harris. The Liberal Democrats support the expansion of offshore wind and renewables as part of our commitment to achieving 95% decarbonisation of power by 2030. We are equally committed to the principle that climate and nature must be tackled together, not as competi…”

“I present this petition on the River Brue and water regulation, following 203 sewage dumping events last year, which lasted 2,716 hours. I also mention the work done by groups such as BrueCREW, Somerset Wildlife Trust and Somerset Eel Recovery Project, which have campaigned to improve the river’s health. The petition d…”

“Recent volatility has seen milk prices fall well beneath the cost of production. We have seen milk literally being thrown down the drain over the course of the last few months. Many in the industry are saying that poor communication between farmers and dairies has exacerbated the problem. I have met with farmer produce…”

“How are you going to go about that?”

“Do you not hear that from the feedback that your team are taking out on to farms, to suppliers?”

“We have heard that the ASCA’s fair dealings codes and the GSCOP should be more aligned to address unfair trading practices. Do you agree, and how would this work in practice?”

“I agree that the agricultural supply chain is a step in the right direction, but it does not seem to be shifting the balance in the system enough. Talking to farmers in Glastonbury and Somerton, they are still telling me that they are hesitant to raise their concerns because they fear losing their contracts or damaging…”

“I present this petition on access to household waste recycling centres following significant local concern from residents in Milborne Port, Henstridge, Charlton Horethorne, Corton Denham, Templecombe and the surrounding areas over the decision to charge Somerset residents £8.50 to use facilities in Dorset. The petition…”