All articles written by Neil Parish MP on PoliticsHome.com

17 Jun 2021 Foreign affairs

Parliament must scrutinise the Australian trade deal to ensure British farmers are not undercut

The vague details of the deal that have been released so far have caused significant concern to farmers and seem to cut across the TAC’s recommendations.

15 Jan 2021 Communities

For too long it has been ‘jam tomorrow’ for infrastructure upgrades in rural Britain

Levelling up comes as a package. Investment in skills training is welcome, but we need the transport and broadband connections to access those better opportunities

23 Jul 2020 Coronavirus

The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the vulnerabilities of our food supply chain

With both hunger and food waste simultaneously soaring during the pandemic, we need to ask serious questions about our domestic food supply

20 Jul 2020 Environment

We all want new trade deals – but MPs must be given a say

The UK is engaged in a raft of trade negotiations, with everything from financial services to food standards on the table. Yet MPs are given next to no say. This must change.

20 Apr 2020 Coronavirus

How is Covid-19 affecting people’s ability to feed themselves and their families?

The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs select committee have launched a new online survey, asking members of the public to share their experiences of accessing food during the pandemic.

24 Jan 2020 Home affairs

I’ve farmed since the age of 16 and led on rural affairs in Brussels and Westminster

At this crucial time, the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee needs a steady hand on the tiller, writes Neil Parish MP

25 Oct 2019 Environment

We have a responsibility to find a realistic and environmentally friendly alternative to plastic

We must fight plastic pollution and take responsibility for the waste we produce, starting with a fundamental shift away from all single-use food and drink packaging, writes Neil Parish MP.

24 Jun 2019 Home affairs

Racing greyhounds are animals, not assets – we must act to ensure their protection

Greyhound racing is a multi-billion-pound industry. A statutory levy would make sure online bookmakers pay their fair share towards animal welfare, writes Neil Parish

03 Dec 2018 Home affairs

If we are to maintain public support for a privatised water industry, bills must come down

Privatisation has been good for the water industry with improvements in infrastructure and supply – renationalising would see those benefits go down the plughole, warns Neil Parish

22 Oct 2018 Environment

The Chancellor must use Budget 2018 to tackle air quality which costs the UK £20 billion a year

Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee Chair, Neil Parish MP, writes that 'it was the Conservative Government of 1956 who introduced the first ever Clean Air Act' and he calls on the Chancellor to 'demonstrate that it is the Conservatives who care about cleaning up our air – as was the case in 1956'.

04 Jun 2018 Environment

Farmers must not be forced to pay a price for RPA mismanagement

The already failing Rural Payments Agency will struggle with the extra demands of Brexit – the Efra Committee’s recent proposals need urgent implementation, warns Neil Parish

16 May 2018 Transport

Parliamentarians call on the Government to introduce a more environmentally friendly petrol, E10

A cross-party group of influential MPs has written to Government Ministers demanding action on the introduction of a more environmentally friendly petrol which also supports British industry and farming.

17 Apr 2018 Environment

The Government must do more to prevent fly-tipping

Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee Chair Neil Parish MP writes in advance of his debate on Reducing fly-tipping, with in excess of 1 million cases reported in 2017 in England alone.

05 Sep 2017 Communities

Millions of unsuitable, ugly homes will not solve the housing crisis

Ahead of his debate, Neil Parish MP writes for PoliticsHome saying popular design is the best weapons to overcome local opposition to new housing.

11 Jul 2017 Environment

Michael Gove must not be bowled over by the Chancellor on agricultural subsidies

Former West Country farmer & MEP, Neil Parish MP, writes in advance of the election for Chair of the Environment Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee, in which he is a candidate. He writes 'It’s vital that Select Committees engage with, and contribute to, the development of government policy throughout this Brexit parliament'.

19 Apr 2017 Transport

Diesel scrappage scheme would be a key weapon in Government air pollution reduction plans

A targeted scrappage scheme would provide proper incentives for a transition to cleaner vehicles, says Neil Parish MP.

30 Mar 2017 Environment

'Pathetically low' sentences given to depraved abusers who torture and kill animals

Neil Parish MP argues that current sentencing guidelines are neither a strict enough punishment nor a suitable deterrent for animal abusers.

22 Mar 2017 Communities

Rural people have been left in the 'dark ages' with poor mobile coverage

Mobile phone coverage is a modern necessity but there remains a significant digital divide for those living in rural areas, says Neil Parish MP.

16 Nov 2016 Environment

New powers needed to better enforce Animal Welfare Act

EFRA Committee Chair Neil Parish MP writes to mark the publication of the Committee's report into animal welfare and domestic pets in the UK.

10 Jun 2016 Environment

British farmers get a good deal from the EU

Former MEP, dairy farmer & EFRA Select Committee Chair Neil Parish MP is clear: farmers should not throw away the deal they get from the EU and he notes 93% of UK beef exports last year were to other EU countries.