It’s always a big week for food and farming as far as I’m concerned, but this week is particularly vital.

On Thursday 11 January Neil Parish MP, Chair of the EFRA Select Committee, held a debate on forestry in England.

Britain needs more homes. Rising house prices have made building more houses a social and economic imperative. So it’s vital we get the design and quality of these new homes right.

That’s why I was so pleased to see the 2017 Conservative manifesto commitment to:

Ahead of his Commons debate today on animal cruelty, Neil argues that current sentencing guidelines are neither a strict enough punishment nor a suitable deterrent for animal abusers.

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Rural people are fed up with poor mobile phone coverage. Mobile ‘not-spots’ may not be such a problem in Westminster, but in many parts of the UK it’s a constant handicap for millions of rural families and businesses.

My heartfelt sympathy goes to the Police Officer, Keith Palmer, who was killed defending Parliament, and to all those who were senselessly murdered yesterday. 

Over the next six weeks, you will be seeing a bit less of me in Parliament and around Tiverton and Honiton. That’s because I am having a hip replacement operation next week.

Britain is a nation of pet lovers. Half of British households own a pet, including 8.5 million dogs and 7.5 million cats.

40% OF LOCAL AUTHORITIES IN BREACH OF LEGAL AIR QUALITY LIMITS

Government statistics show that as many as 40% of local authorities in the UK breached legal air quality limits last year.

Neil praises Honiton Gymnasts' Success