Agriculture Bill Will Not Complete its Journey Through Parliament

The Agriculture Bill, which was introduced to Parliament in September 2018 and laid out plans to replace the Common Agricultural Policy following Brexit, will not be debated in Parliament before it is prorogued.

Under convention, all legislation that has not completed its journey through Parliament is scrapped. The Agriculture Bill had reached report stage in the House of Commons, but was delayed by Brexit preparations, alongside the Fisheries Bill and the Trade Bill.

The Bill laid out a new system of payments to farmers which would have rewarded farmers for improvements to the environment, such as biodiversity conservation, improved air and water quality, soil health, public access to the countryside and measures to reduce flooding.

If it is to continue, the Bill will need to be reintroduced in the next session of Parliament. Environment Secretary, Theresa Villiers, has previously said she will “press ahead with a new system of support which rewards farmers for environmental stewardship and improving the health and welfare of animals…”