Our Man in Westminster

For the House of Commons, now we have got through that important day on January 31, much of the activity in the coming months will have a big effect on the Kent countryside.

We will have debates on the Agriculture Bill, which will decide how we subsidise farmers once the Common Agricultural Policy is no longer in force here, as well as an Environment Bill which will set out protections for the countryside.

Both of these will be hugely important in deciding whether future generations will be able to enjoy the beauty of Kent in the way we have grown used to.

The basic thrust of the Agriculture Bill is to change the subsidy regime so that farmers are paid for public goods, rather than just for the amount they produce or the land under cultivation.

The balancing act is to ensure that farming, which is always precarious, remains a good business while also providing enhancements to the countryside, such as improving the diversity of species.

This is not an easy job and the details of the new system will no doubt be hard fought.

Both environmental groups and the local NFU have discussed how best to achieve the laudable aims of the Bill with me, and I know these discussions will become more intense as we come to the crunch.

The same applies to the Environment Bill.

There is an argument for having some kind of independent monitor to ensure that long-term promises made by Government are kept, and that policies are on track to achieve the aims set out for some future decade when no-one currently making the decisions will be in post.

This Bill covers a huge range of policy areas, and every part of it is important.

Bodies like the Kent Wildlife and the Kent CPRE are very active in pursuing the interests of our countryside and wildlife. So there is a good deal for Parliament to do. And I don’t have to mention the B-word!