Viscount Goschen (Con)

My Lords, I declare at the outset that I live in rural Devon and own a small farm. This House has a great deal of experience and expertise in farming and rural affairs, as demonstrated in the debate. However, I lament the experience that has been lost with the departure of so many of our colleagues who spoke so powerfully and with such personal knowledge on rural affairs and related matters. In the short time available, I will cover only two points. The first is how policy that affects rural areas is made and communicated. A related point is the bond of trust that has to be present between the regulators and the regulated. I regret the distrust that perhaps has emerged, particularly since the IHT debacle, and the wedge that has been driven between the Government and so many who operate in rural areas, particularly those who have farming interests. It is important that that is rectified, so I very much look forward to what the Minister says. The Government have made many of the right noises. For example, an interesting policy paper about rural-proofing was published in May 2025. It needs to be done, but the question is whether it has had any real impact and whether the taskforce that has been established is powerful enough, for example, in discussions with major departments such as the Treasury. That remains to be seen. I will leave the detail of a debate on farming specifically to colleagues who have much greater experience and expertise than I, but note merely that farming is a long-cycle, capital-intensive industry making marginal returns, which is greatly influenced by government policy, and global commodity markets and trade policies. Above all, farmers need clarity and stability over the medium term against which they can make decisions. There is a lack of confidence that food production and security really are at the centre of policy-making. That has to change. There must be a bond of respect and trust between those who make policy and those who execute it. I listened with great care to what my noble friend Lord Douglas-Miller had to say on this subject. We look forward to the 25-year road map, though 25 years sounds a bit ambitious when we are hearing important policy announcements that appear to be reversals of earlier policies, particularly around environmental impacts. You just have to look at the kites being flown around a potential requirement for a 25% reduction in livestock grazing. These are incredibly important policy areas and farmers must have confidence that their regulator and sponsor department understand the dynamics of their business and industry. That was something of a plea. The Government should listen carefully to what rural advocacy organisations say on that front. In my remaining few seconds, I will say a word or two about transport. Travel by car is not a luxury in rural areas: it is a necessity, given that there is sparse public transport available. Loading tax and regulatory burdens on to motorists has a disproportionate effect on rural communities, where people need their cars to move around, get to work and get on with their lives. There is simply no alternative. Our rural road network is a disgrace, and this is not a party-political point: it has occurred over a variety of local and national administrations. Proactive maintenance such as ditch clearing, flood prevention and pothole mending to prevent major schemes being required is important. I look forward to the Minister’s response.