Speeches by Dyke.

“This one example, though, is one that I really want to pick on. They had had their audit. Two weeks later it was followed up, and it felt to this particular business that the OV had really nothing else to do, so they just came back two weeks later. It was something absolutely ridiculous, like some horsehair on a door, …”

“It is their hourly rate.”

“I don’t think that it is unique.”

“In addition to that, an abattoir that I visited a couple of months ago in my research for the debate said that they had had their annual inspection. Two weeks later, an OV came out for an ad hoc inspection, and there were more faults found during that time. It seems ridiculous that there was an annual inspection that w…”

“I am quite happy for you to go on to that because, as you quite rightly said, there are now 47 and the figure is dropping quite dramatically. In 10 years’ time, if we continue on the current trajectory, there will not be any small abattoirs left in the country. There is more pressure as we are losing abattoirs right ac…”

“Apologies that I had to leave earlier. Good morning. Abattoirs play a vital role in protecting food security and food safety, safeguarding animal welfare and underpinning consumer confidence, but they also contribute to the wider rural economy in terms of providing skills and employment, generating demand and addressin…”

“I believe it would probably be Culture, Media and Sport.”

“Thank you, Chair. Surprisingly enough, I have gleaned one in the form of Jim Shannon as we sat down.”

“I know! I would be quite happy with a Westminster Hall debate because it is time sensitive, and it would be lovely to hold the debate during the carnival season.”

“Unfortunately, Dan has been unavoidably held up, so he will not be joining me today, but thank you for considering this application. The carnival season is upon us. It runs from August through to mid-November. It is a significant contributor to our national economy, injecting over £40 million every year. I am sure you …”

“I thank my hon. Friend for giving way and for securing this important debate. South Western Ambulance Service covers 10,000 square miles. However, due to the large rural areas in the region—different from, but similar to those in his constituency—the response times are three times slower than the NHS target. Dorset and…”

“I also want to celebrate and thank all ambulance crews, as well as everybody working in the NHS, for the brilliant work they do providing this service. Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Since its first mission in 2000, the team has responded to 29,000 missions—an average o…”

“On tree canopy cover, I was lead member for environment and climate change at Somerset council when it was developing the tree strategy. The county is 8% tree canopy—way below the national average, which is about 13%. Obviously, increased canopy cover helps to reduce storm water run-off, prevent flooding, and improve b…”

“I thank the right hon. Member for giving way and for securing this important debate. In addition to proper maintenance, which is essential—it is heartbreaking to hear the stories that she has outlined today—the current protection under tree preservation orders is inadequate and covers only a small section of ancient an…”

“Jhoots Pharmacy has revealed the severe financial strain facing community pharmacies. The towns of Glastonbury and Bruton are home to fantastic independent pharmacies, continuing to serve their communities despite more than half of pharmacy owners losing money last year. How will the Government ensure that the regulato…”

“COP30 begins next month in Brazil. The UK must play a leading role on the world stage to tackle climate change. At home, however, Somerset council is hampered in its attempts to achieve net zero by an escalating financial crisis following the maladministration of its previous Conservative administration. What steps wil…”

“I thank my hon. Friend for securing this really important debate. She is absolutely right that we must support our farmers on food security and farm sustainability, but poor returns are threatening their viability right now. The dairy industry has contracted by 6% in the past year, and prices have dropped significantly…”

“I absolutely agree: education is critical. It is also critical in allowing research to continue. Of course, that requires funding, but we also need the right capital investment in farms, so that they can carry out the herd management required to stop the transmission of bovine TB.”

“I wholeheartedly agree. The financial burden, and also the emotional burden, on farmers is devastating. We know the pressures our farmers are under already. With inheritance tax, the recent withdrawal of the sustainable farming incentive and the countryside stewardship scheme coming to an end this year, many farmers ar…”

“It is an honour to serve with you in the Chair, Mr Stuart, and to speak in this important debate. I thank all the petitioners, including the 321 from Glastonbury and Somerton. Having grown up on a dairy and beef farm, I am all too aware of the devastating impact that TB is capable of unleashing. I also recently attende…”