Ben Goldsborough
MP for South Norfolk · Labour · United Kingdom
“It has spread across Europe and Asia, but thankfully has never been detected here in the UK. We have a window of opportunity to keep it that way, but only if we take border biosecurity seriously. If ASF got into this country, the consequences would be devastating for farmers and could cost the industry an estimated £100 million.”
“When witnesses from the Veterinary Medicines Directorate gave evidence to the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, I asked about the resilience of veterinary vaccine supply chains. Their evidence highlighted the risk posed by manufacturing disruption, changing demand and wider global shocks.”
“It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Sir Christopher. I refer Members to my entry in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests. Around one in five pigs in the country are reared in my part of the world: Norfolk and Suffolk.”
“That leaves a significant stretch between the port and the inspection site. Will the Minister look again at whether that arrangement provides the level of biosecurity our farming sector deserves? I would suggest that it does not.”
“South Norfolk is one of the fastest growing constituencies in the United Kingdom, but that population growth is putting increased pressure on local GP services like the Humbleyard Practice.”
“There are 124 round-tower churches in Norfolk. In South Norfolk, we have St Peter’s church in Forncett and St Mary & St Walstan church in Bawburgh, to name just two. I have written to all my local churches to make them aware of the fund, but will my hon. Friend help to ensure that all rural churches are encouraged to apply?”
The complete record
Every one of 265 lines we hold for Ben Goldsborough, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 5 of 6.
“I rise to present a petition about the proposed quarry in Haddiscoe, and I really hope that the Government will take note of the 242 petitioners who have signed it. This demonstrates that an overwhelming majority of residents wish for the Government to know how much this quarry will undermine the health and wellbeing of the village. The petition states: “The petition of residents of the constituency of South Norfolk, Declares that the potential for a future gravel pit near Crab Apple Lane in Haddiscoe is a serious concern… The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to ensure that planning and mineral strategies consider issues such as air pollution and local opinion.”
“Biosecurity is not merely about safeguarding industries; it is about protecting the livelihoods of farmers and the food security of the nation. In South Norfolk, from poultry and sugar beet to livestock, our communities are working tirelessly to meet those challenges. I know that they have the full support of the House in the actions they are taking to protect us all. I call on the Minister to act decisively to strengthen our borders, work with insurers, and provide the resources and partnerships needed to maintain for the UK’s biosecurity resilience the world-class status it deserves. Let us meet these challenges head-on, ensuring that our agricultural and horticultural industries remain robust for generations to come.”
“One of the most pressing threats is Xylella, a bacterial disease hosted by a wide range of plants, including trees such as the British oak. The risk of introduction to the UK via infected host plants is a growing concern. To tackle that and other biosecurity challenges, the Horticultural Trades Association has laid out several critical recommendations, which I pose to the Minister: first, an urgent summit on border policy; secondly, a review of commodity risk categorisation; thirdly, enhanced pest and disease testing capabilities; and finally, active international engagement to reassure the global horticultural market and the fresh produce supply chains that the UK is open for trade in a safe and secure manner.”
“However, as NFU Sugar rightly points out, that is no silver bullet. A truly effective response must form part of a broader integrated strategy, in order to address the challenges posed by viruses. Will the Minister provide an update on the actions being taken to support the British sugar industry? Specifically, what is being done to accelerate precision breeding efforts, improve aphid management and ensure sustainable yields for farmers in the face of mounting climate-related challenges? I do not want to focus solely on agriculture. Horticulture is another vital industry for the UK where biosecurity is a critical concern. If plant diseases breach our defences, the consequences could be devastating, not just for growers but for the environment and the wider economy.”
“If the aphids carry over the disease from the previous year to the new year, they can infest crops as early as spring, compounding the threat to the British sugar beet yields. The year 2020 serves as a stark warning. A mild winter, combined with early aphid migration, created a perfect storm, leading to a catastrophic loss for many growers. Without interventions, those conditions are likely to become more frequent. NFU Sugar has predicted that the UK sugar beet crop area could shrink by up to 25%, if a sustainable solution is not found for virus yellows. Genetic engineering offers a promising path forward, and I welcome the Government’s proactive steps in that area, especially as the Norwich Research Park in my constituency hugely benefits from precision breeding legislation.”
“It is not just livestock, but crops that are a concern for biosecurity. Virus yellows are key for East Anglia because they cause sugar beet diseases. The sugar beet industry is a cornerstone of the British agricultural economy, supporting around 9,500 jobs. It is anchored by four British Sugar factories, all located in the east of England. The sector faces a significant threat from virus yellows, a devastating group of diseases caused by three different viruses. Those viruses are transmitted by aphids, which feed on the sugar beet crops. Unlike growers on the continent, UK farmers are particularly vulnerable to the virus, due to our maritime climate. Typically, cold winters suppress the aphid population, reducing the risk of transmission. Milder winters, driven by climate change, allow aphids to survive for longer and thrive.”
“We are one of the biggest pork markets—which was obviously a huge deal for the former, rather than the current, Member for South West Norfolk. The UK pig industry is worth £8 billion annually, and faces a potential crisis if African swine fever breaches our borders. The disease is present in multiple European countries, and the consequences of an outbreak could cost between £10 million to £100 million, according to the National Farmers Union. I welcome the Government’s September 2024 ban on personal imports of pork from high-risk areas, and DEFRA’s £3.1 million investment into the Dover Port Health Authority, which was a much-needed step forward. Given the critical importance of the pork industry to Norfolk, I urge the Minister to outline the further steps he will take to prevent an African swine fever outbreak in the UK.”
“Will he consider a state-backed scheme to help affected farmers to re-enter the poultry industry following an outbreak? Currently, compensation for AI is paid out to the owners of birds, but many farms operate on a contract basis and so miss out on that compensation. Again, I would love it if the Minister could tell us that he will consider steps to ensure that contractors receive their fair share of compensation from insurers. Of course, there will always be a perpetual worry about border security. Farmers in South Norfolk tell me that they are really concerned about the controls on meat and livestock entering the UK market. Will the Minister consider reassessing the level of controls on those imported goods to give our farmers peace of mind? African swine fever is a huge issue for Norfolk.”
“There were mass sea bird die-offs, and widespread highly pathogenic avian influenza protection zones were put in place across the majority of the country, but particularly in Norfolk. Recent cases of H5N5 in Yorkshire and H5N1 in Cornwall highlight the continuing threat that avian influenza poses to our poultry market. In addition to biosecurity, there are pressing financial issues. South Norfolk farmers have told me that they find it near impossible to get insurance cover for avian influenza outbreaks, creating the risk that producers will be forced to leave the industry. I would love it if the Minister could say that he will investigate the possibility of picking up where the insurance providers are dropping the ball and failing to provide support.”
“Farmers in South Norfolk and across affected counties have been resilient and conscientious in the face of this outbreak and the restrictions placed upon them, but those living within the restriction zone have been hit by a double whammy, as some abattoirs have implemented price deductions. Some sites looking to cover the additional costs associated with the disease have imposed price cuts of up to 50p per kilo. That impact is being handed down to farmers, despite their having selflessly gone above and beyond to protect their livestock and that of their neighbours. Will the Minister meet me to ensure that farmers are not subjected to more price deductions, and to discuss the long-term measures we can take to prevent future outbreaks? The 2022-23 avian influenza outbreak was devastating.”
“It was first identified in the small village of Haddiscoe, and a 20 km temporary control zone was swiftly established, but the situation sadly escalated. By 30 August, Norfolk and Suffolk were placed under restriction zones, and on 2 September they were extended to Essex. By mid-November, control zones stretched from Lowestoft to Southampton, and from Brighton to Scarborough. Some infected animals may experience productivity issues, including a reduced milk yield. In the most severe cases, the disease will cause abortions, malformations and fatalities. However, it is important to note that bluetongue does not affect people, and the meat and milk from infected animals remains safe.”
“I bring this matter to the House today because South Norfolk has been directly affected. Many will recall the bluetongue outbreak first identified in Haddiscoe on 26 August this year and the chaos wrought by the largest avian influenza outbreak in 2022-23. I will press the Minister on a number of points, including the need to strengthen our border controls, reappraise the insurance industry’s practices, improve the preparedness of the Animal and Plant Health Agency, and collaborate closer with trade bodies. I commend the Government on the much-needed investment of £208 million to transform our biosecurity at the Weybridge site, which is an essential step forward. Hon. Members will remember the recent bluetongue outbreak, which began in my constituency.”
“I beg to move, That this House has considered biosecurity. It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Dame Siobhain, for my first time leading a Westminster Hall debate. Hon. Members may wonder why I have secured a debate on such a wide-ranging issue as biosecurity. Our changing climate means that new diseases can thrive here in the UK, and more interconnected supply chains put unprecedented pressure on our borders. Stability is vital for food security and economic growth, but biohazards can undermine our vital horticulture and agriculture sectors. These risks are not abstract concepts but tangible realties for the communities we represent. I thank hon. Members, including my hon. Friend the Minister, for their support since being elected, because I have faced such biosecurity threats in the South Norfolk constituency.”
“I gently ask a question about the insurance issue that I raised in my speech. Insurance is a huge part of the sectoral fragilities that we see in relation to this issue. Would the Department be able to look into insurance companies that refuse to give avian influenza insurance payments?”
“Friends for attending and raising issues from across my good county of Norfolk, such as the mega-farm issue in South West Norfolk. As chair of the all-party parliamentary group on UK food security, my hon. Friend the Member for York Outer (Mr Charters) also brought his expertise. This debate will go on, and I know we will have many more discussions about this. Question put and agreed to. Resolved, That this House has considered biosecurity.”
“What was great about this debate was the unanimity of voice in the personal stories that we heard from across the United Kingdom about the impact of biosecurity fragility, not only on the individuals who farm our land but on those who work to protect our farmers and horticulturists. What has shone through in the debate is our ability to pull together in our national interest. We know that party politics does not determine that—that we need to work together to find a route to protect the agricultural and horticultural sectors, as well as our human health. As has been noted by hon. Members regardless of party, pathogens can cross from animals to humans; we saw it with covid-19 and with other diseases worldwide, so we must be vigilant. I thank my hon.”
“It is vital that we give value for taxpayers’ money, yet Conservative-run Norfolk county council’s doomed Norwich western link road is costing taxpayers £27,000 per day—that is nearly £50 million so far for not an inch of tarmac. Does my hon. Friend agree that the Norfolk Tories give us Liz Truss not just in Whitehall, but in county hall?”
“In Long Stratton, there is a beloved former local authority building called South Norfolk House. It has won numerous awards for its innovative architecture and its ahead-of-its-time design focus on energy efficiency, but it has been refused listed status. This could be a fantastic community asset for the town; it could be an arts hub. Will the Minister meet me to discuss its future?”
“T3. In 2021, the UK exported £9.1 billion-worth of creative goods and £45.6 billion-worth of creative services, but we can and must do better. May I press the Secretary of State on what she is doing to support the creative industries’ co-ordinated strategy for growth?”
“T7. Next year will mark the 180th anniversary of Wymondham train station, but sadly it is not accessible to all. A great birthday present for my station would be to make it so. Will the Minister meet me and the Wymondham access group to ensure that we can deliver that for the future?”
“Allotment holders in Wymondham were saddened to hear that they have only one year left on their plots before Anglian Water ends their lease early. Can we have a debate in Government time on the need for water companies to live up to their corporate responsibility and, in Wymondham’s case, help allotmenteers move to a new site?”
“T3. As a proud member of the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers, I want to raise with the Minister the amazing work that it has done to produce the estimate that around three quarters of workers in typically low-paid sectors are paid weekly, fortnightly or four-weekly, rather than monthly. That is not recognised by universal credit. Will the Minister promise to meet USDAW and other trade unions to make sure that this matter is investigated?”
“I greatly welcome what was announced in the Budget—more than £200 million for investment into biosecurity—but we must work closely with the Home Office to make sure that our border security officers are fully trained in this area to recognise the issues coming to our shores and protect our farmers, agriculture and horticulture, which provide so much to South Norfolk and to the United Kingdom.”
“The outbreak spread across the eastern coast, and we are living with the consequences. There are extremely sad situations when people take animals to market and lower prices are being charged for no reason, even though they are being moved within the market control area. That is an issue that we see with our biosecurity. This week we have also seen the first measured case of the new variant of avian influenza coming to our shores, which should worry us greatly. From speaking to the APHA, it concerns me that it is fighting on so many fronts. Sugar beet has a longer growing season, so there are aphids for longer because they are not killed off by the frost, and we therefore have more yellow leaf. We have bluetongue and avian influenza and over the seas we have African swine fever as well. These are great risks to UK biosecurity.”
“It was a fantastic event, and it was important to raise awareness that horticulture should not be overshadowed by agriculture. Both are aspects of our economy. The House of Lords report on horticulture recently showed that the sector supports 674,000 jobs and contributes about £28 billion to UK GDP and about £6 billion in taxation. It is not something to be sniffed at. We also need to bear in mind that our country was the forerunner in horticulture, and we have lost that crown over the years to the Dutch. There is no reason why we should not regain that crown, and we should be pushing for that as a new Government. The other issue that I would like to concentrate on is biosecurity and the APHA. As was mentioned by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, bluetongue was sadly first found in Haddiscoe in my constituency.”
“To follow a bit of a theme, they have a smaller water footprint—going back to my first issue of what is important for Norfolk, we need proper use management of our water system. It would be great if my hon. Friend the Minister would look into BNG requirements on controlled environment agriculture to make sure that we can grow this industry, tackle our climate emission targets and be at the forefront of this sector around the world. Next up, horticulture is important for my constituency of South Norfolk. I have Viking Nurseries, which I will visit in couple of weeks’ time. Hon. Members’ teams may have noticed that I sponsored the Horticultural Trades Association in Parliament, which gave out 153 house plants. I hope that we brightened up the Houses of Parliament and all offices across the estate.”
“I believe that these are vital not only because we can get higher yields from less land, but because they are better for the environment and help us meet our climate change targets. However, there is an issue in the current legislation on biodiversity net gain, and I would appreciate it if the ministerial team would consider it. Because these are closed structures, in their essence they are not net gain providers of biodiversity. At the same time, these structures decrease land use because they can increase production on a smaller site. They also use fewer damaging pollutants that leach into the area because they are, by their nature, closed systems. They reduce carbon emissions because they are able to precisely grow and engineer the plants that we need.”
“Unfortunately, the Environment Agency and other planning authorities are proving to be more of a barrier than a supporter of this construction, which means that our farmers have to tap into more drinking water, which is more expensive and drives up prices for them. The floods Minister, my hon. Friend the Member for Kingston upon Hull West and Haltemprice (Emma Hardy), who is not in her place, has been working closely with me, and I look forward to working with her to push forward new policies that ensure that reservoirs can be built on agricultural land to develop water security. It is important to talk about new innovations in agriculture. All too often, we think of the more traditional methods—the herbicide era and the pesticide era—but we are going into a new era of vertical farming and controlled environment agriculture.”
“I would like to address four issues in the short time that I have. The first is water security. We have heard a lot about flooding today, but as my hon. Friend the Minister will know, in Norfolk we have the opposite issue—water shortages are more of an issue for us. I will also speak about controlled environment agriculture—a new development phase that we can turbocharge in this country—as well as the horticultural sector, which is vital for us, and the Animal and Plant Health Agency. In Norfolk, as in the Minister’s constituency in Cambridgeshire, we need to look at water security in a lot more detail. When speaking with farmers last Thursday, one of the issues that came up was the building of reservoirs on agricultural land.”
“A report from May 2022 showed that only nine of the 32 prison education institutions inspected were judged “good” or “outstanding” by Ofsted; additionally, less than 40% of prisoners took courses up to GCSE level. Does my hon. Friend agree that if we are to tackle rehabilitation, we must improve prison education across the estate?”
“Q6. When the Prime Minister and the Chancellor discuss the importance of supporting working families, I think of the dedicated farmers in South Norfolk. The Prime Minister has consistently acknowledged the critical role of food security and the need for farmers to have certainty to plan. Can he confirm what action our Government will be taking to back British farming in constituencies like mine?”
“SEND provision in Conservative-run Norfolk has collapsed after years of adversarial mismanagement by the county council. I welcome the steps that my hon. Friend has taken so far. Will she commit to recognising the value of co-production to ensure that SEND family voices are valued and money is spent wisely?”
“The past 14 years have shown that Governments ignore the prison estate at their peril. My right hon. Friend rightly says that we must redesign punishment outside the secure estate. Will she elaborate on how offenders will have their liberty curtailed and how the public will be made aware of that liberty being taken away?”
“A constituent in Hethersett sadly lost her 17-week-old puppy Mini to the deadly parvovirus. This devastating disease takes animals’ lives very quickly, but can be held at bay by vaccination. May we have a debate in Government time on the importance of people vaccinating their pet dog, and on the responsibilities of good owners?”
“Prisons have two vital functions: punishment and rehabilitation. Reoffending has gone up, because after 14 years under the Conservatives prisons have become colleges of crime. We need to get the basics right and we need to get the fundamentals right on prison education reform. Will my right hon. Friend look at how we can improve literacy and numeracy skills in our prison estate?”
“We want to drive towards net zero and we need to drive forward with the industrial upgrade to our national grid, but we end up in a situation where we are throwing the baby out with the bathwater, putting people off our future development towards being a green superpower for the rest of the world to follow.”
“That is not something for which the National Grid is held to account, and it does not ensure that local people have a say over what is coming back to them. The situation becomes even direr when we talk about solar farms. The industry body is responsible for setting out guidance on what should happen to all member bodies within it. Again, that creates an issue where those residents in areas considering having infrastructure in their back garden do not feel heard. They do not feel that they are being listened to in terms of what they want and where they need it.”
“It is important to remember in this debate that we live in a wasteland of regulatory framework for compensation. Individual businesses that take on such projects to grow their own enterprises—don’t get me wrong; they are private enterprises and there to make a profit—must work within a regulatory framework to make sure they are held to account and made to pay for the local people who have to face those developments in their area. We have seen locally that the National Grid, for example, provides its own funding and grant-based system, but funding is not granted to individuals; it is only general. It takes into account such things as social, economic and environmental benefit, but those are judged by the National Grid’s own criteria.”
“It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Dr Huq. I have quite a bit of energy infrastructure going on in my constituency, be it the proposed Norwich to Tilbury line, the East Pye solar farm that has just been announced or the Ørsted battery energy storage site to the north of my constituency. To say that this debate is not hypothetical for my residents—it is very much a reality—would be underselling the matter. We have talked about community benefit and community wealth-building, but that is not something my constituents are happy to hear. They want to hear the word “compensation”. They do not want to hear the word “hosting”, because, at the end of the day, a pylon is not being hosted; it is being placed in their back garden.”
“I recently met campaigners in the beautiful village of Toft Monks in my constituency to talk about road safety in the area. There is a campaign running, which I am supporting, to lower the speed limit to 30 mph to make sure that children can walk to school safely on the village roads. Can we have a debate in Government time on highway safety in rural areas?”
“It is an absolute honour to follow the hon. Member for South Cotswolds (Dr Savage). Hearing her speech and her passion and dedication, not just for the area she lives in but for the environment in general, is inspiring for everyone in the House, so I congratulate her on her maiden speech.”
“I hope that my Front-Bench colleagues will work with me to secure planning reform on this issue, so that we can build more reservoirs on farming land to help with food security. Farmers have also raised concerns with me about biodiversity net-gain regulations, which are currently slowing down our progress on food production. I recently visited Fischer Farms, just over the border, and it is a great step forward. I hope that we can adopt these measures.”
“I am immensely proud to represent the constituency that is home to such important institutions. The Earlham Institute is doing the hard work necessary to safeguard our food security and supply. Faced with the challenges of water security—sadly, I note that that was missing from the Opposition’s motion—farmers tell me when I meet them that there is a huge barrier in the way of their collecting the water that they need and building the reservoirs that they want on their land because of action taken by the Environment Agency. Why on earth should we stand in the way of farmers who want to protect their land from drought, while also protecting local areas from flood risk, by capturing water to use at a lower cost than tapping into the mains water that we all need?”
“As we address the challenges facing our farmers and the urgent need to secure our food supply, it is important to highlight the amazing work of the Earlham Institute. The Earlham Institute is a beacon of life sciences training and innovation, and its contributions are vital to tackling food insecurity and safeguarding our future. Its cutting-edge research is developing the latest tools and approaches to monitor and predict how diseases evolve and spread. This kind of knowledge is critical for the future of British farming, as it will allow us to anticipate and mitigate the risks that threaten our food security. The Earlham Institute’s contributions go far beyond research. It is also a hub for training the next generation of scientists and ensuring that Britain remains at the forefront of life sciences and agricultural innovation.”
“The innovation of the John Innes Centre is second to none as it strives to meet the increasing demands and pressures on the national and international food security system. The gene editing techniques that it has been developing and working on have the potential to transform British agriculture by increasing yields and crop resilience, and to help us face the climate crisis that we are all heading towards. I welcome the news from the Front Bench that the Government will be taking action on precision breeding. That is a great step forward in what we needed to see. There is an incredible opportunity in the heart of South Norfolk to transform our food security and to support farmers on the frontline who are dealing with the consequences of climate change in producing more food with less impact on the environment.”
“It is lovely to hear a bit of cross-party action to start off; I will try not to spoil that tone. Today’s debate is a vital one on the future of not only South Norfolk’s food security but that of the UK. For too long, those who have put food on our table have worked our land but sadly been taken for granted. I stand here as the first Labour MP for South Norfolk in 74 years. That should show the House that rural communities up and down the country have wanted change, and it is for us to prove that we are ready to take up that mantle. In South Norfolk we are lucky, because we have the innovation of the Norwich research park. Those who are local—I can see nodding from the hon. Member for Mid Norfolk (George Freeman)—will know that these are the centres of excellence that will drive our agriculture forward in agritech and high-end industry.”
“I will work to ensure that our justice system prioritises victims’ rights, tackles delays and restores public confidence. We must also ensure that rehabilitation and reformation are at the core of our system, so that those who have served their time have real opportunities to contribute to society once more. These are the challenges that I intend to take with me on this journey through Parliament, and I look forward to working with colleagues across the House to make them a reality. I believe that South Norfolk has a bright future, and I am eager to work with colleagues in Government to ensure we address the pressing issues of our time, from housing and infrastructure to education and healthcare. The people of South Norfolk deserve no less than our full commitment, and I pledge to give them just that.”
“The system, which should be there to help, can sometimes feel like an obstacle put in their way, leaving parents exhausted and children without the resources they need to thrive. I will work tirelessly to push for reforms in SEND provision so that it is fair, timely and accessible. Every child deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential and every family deserves to be heard, supported and empowered. Secondly, I am deeply committed to the reform of our justice system. While we can be proud of many aspects of British justice, there are still serious issues that need to be addressed. Victims of crime too often feel let down by delays and an overburdened system, and communities are frustrated by the lack of swift and fair outcomes.”
“These are the values that shaped me, and I pledge to uphold them and serve the people of South Norfolk with them. As I take my seat in the House, I do so with a clear sense of responsibility and deep commitment to the people of the constituency. There are two areas that I am particularly passionate about and that will be at the forefront of my work in Parliament: standing up for the families of children with special educational needs and disabilities, and seeking much-needed improvements to our justice system. First, supporting SEND families is a cause close to my heart. Far too often, families face unnecessary battles to secure the right support for their children.”
“Each of them contributes to the fabric of our community, providing not just the goods and services but the places of connection and support that bring us together as neighbours and friends. My values were forged in the heart of East Anglia, shaped by the lessons learned from my parents. My mum Sara, a hard-working shop worker, and my dad Wayne, a stable lad—yes, those jobs still exist in the 21st century—instilled in me principles that have guided my life, which I hope to bring to this House. They taught me the importance of honesty; of giving your all, no matter what the task; and of never losing sight of your aspirations. Perhaps most importantly, they taught me to treat people with respect, whether they are a colleague, a constituent or someone I have just met.”