Speaking in a debate on the Second Reading of the Direct Payments to Farmers (Legislative Continuity) Bill, Harriett Baldwin welcomes the Bill but highlights to the Secretary of State the problem facing estate agents in making valuations of estates currently in receipt of common agricultural payments.
Harriett Baldwin (West Worcestershire) (Con)
I welcome the certainty given to farmers and food producers for 2020. What advice would the Secretary of State give to an estate agent in my constituency on how it should value a significant estate currently in receipt of quite a lot of common agricultural payments?
Theresa Villiers
It will be important for the estate agent in question to follow developments relating to the transition to a new system of farm support in England. I will outline that later in my remarks, but we view leaving the common agricultural policy as a vital opportunity to create a better system that more effectively supports our farmers and enables them to deliver crucial public goods, including for the environment and animal welfare.