The Government has set out its legislative agenda for the next Parliamentary session in the Queen’s Speech (given this year by Prince Charles). A number of proposed bills will have a potential impact on farming and rural areas. The Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Bill (England) is designed to allow the commercialisation of plants and animals derived from gene editing. Gene editing is selectively using the genes already present in an organism so is different from genetic modification. The Government seems keen to ‘fast-track’ this legislation, with the Bill being introduced into Parliament on the 25th May. It is hoped that it will become law by the end of the year. The focus will initially be on allowing plant breeding with the aim of producing crops that are higher yielding, more resistant to pests and diseases, less affected by climate change and are better users of nutrients.
The Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill contains a grab-bag of policies designed to implement the Government’s ‘big idea’. Whilst this includes some reform of the Planning system, the proposals are watered-down compared to those in the Planning White Paper of 2020. There will be a Renters Reform Bill which will limit Landlords’ right to regain possession under ‘section 21’ notices. With the number of surplus ‘farm cottages’ now rented out on the private market, this could have an impact on farm businesses.
The Animal Welfare Bill, which bans the live export of animals other than for breeding, will be re-introduced as it had not completed its legislative process during the last session. One piece of legislation notable by its absence was a Food Bill. This had been promised, in response to the Dimbleby Nation Food Strategy report. Instead a White Paper on the food chain is to be published. This has been delayed a number of times, but is now expected in June. It may be a fairly ‘high-level’ document containing broad policy aims, rather than much detail on the implementation of a food policy.