Overview

This bill mandates the UK Secretary of State to create and implement a strategy for improving the sustainability of livestock farming and livestock product consumption within two years. The strategy will encompass economic, social, and environmental aspects, requiring parliamentary approval before implementation.

Description

The bill's core objective is to enhance the sustainability of livestock farming and the consumption of related products. The Secretary of State must develop a strategy addressing various aspects, including:

• Financial Incentives: Utilizing subsidies, grants, taxes, or levies to encourage or discourage specific farming practices, feed types, and crops.
• Public Procurement: Influencing government purchasing of livestock products.
• Public Awareness: Implementing public information campaigns to shape consumer behavior.
• International Policy: Defining the UK's stance on livestock farming within the EU and international forums.
• Targets and Research: Setting targets for greenhouse gas emission and biodiversity loss reduction, and supporting relevant research and development.

The strategy's development necessitates consultation with various stakeholders, including farmers, food producers, retailers, environmental experts, health experts, consumer representatives, and relevant government advisory bodies. The Secretary of State must also consider the full lifecycle and global impact of policies.

Following parliamentary approval, the strategy's implementation will be overseen by the Secretary of State, with annual progress reports submitted to the UK Parliament, Scottish Parliament, Welsh Assembly, and Northern Ireland Assembly. These reports will detail progress, challenges, projected success, and relevant data on emissions and biodiversity loss.

Government Spending

The bill states that any expenses incurred by the Secretary of State in implementing this Act, and any increase in existing spending related to the Act, will be paid from public funds. No specific figures are provided in the bill text.

Groups Affected

This bill will affect numerous groups, including:

• Farmers and Food Producers: Potentially impacted by changes in subsidies, taxes, and farming practices.
• Food Retailers and Service Sector: May face altered supply chains and consumer demand.
• Consumers: Likely to see changes in food prices and availability, potentially influenced by public awareness campaigns.
• Environmental Groups: Will be affected by the success of biodiversity and emissions reduction targets.
• Government Agencies: Responsible for strategy implementation, monitoring, and reporting.

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