The Conservatives are sticking to the plan to back British farmers in their primary role of growing food, investing in food security and growing resilient farming businesses, to feed the nation for generations to come.
Dr James Davies, Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Clwyd East, has welcomed the Conservative Government’s recent announcement of the second annual food security summit and the launch of plans which will boost domestic food production and improve food security in the UK.
The plans include introducing the first ever UK Food Security Index, which will allow the government to monitor in year shocks across the UK and support the sector to grow more food.
The Government has also responded to the Shropshire Review, ensuring that the domestic farming sector has the labour it needs, and the funding to support greater automation. This includes extending the seasonal visa route for five years and agreeing a taper for this period with industry, supporting the transition away from migrant workers with a planned £50 million package on packhouse automation funding.
The Conservative Government has also published the Blueprint for Growing the UK Fruit and Vegetable Sector – introducing plans that aim to build the resilience of the UK’s fresh produce sector to boost domestic production and reduce reliance on imports.
Further measures in the plan include cutting 60 pieces of redundant Retained EU Law red tape.
The Conservative Government is also supporting farmers to get a fair price for their products, by announcing the next steps in the supply chain reviews for eggs, fresh produce and pigs. In all three sectors the Government will introduce legislation to enhance fairness and transparency.
James, who recently accompanied the Prime Minister on a visit to farmers in Cilcain, said:
“Farmers in Clwyd East work tirelessly every day of the year, and not only are they key to our local economy, they also make a central contribution to the UK economy and to protecting our domestic food supply.
“I am therefore delighted that the Conservative Government recently announced further plans to support British farmers, boost domestic food production, invest in food security and further improve farming resilience.
“The Conservative Government is sticking to the plan to back British farmers and ensure a strong domestic farming industry and food security for all across the UK.”
James added:
“Labour would take us back to square one with the Welsh Labour government proposing to force all farmers to stop farming on up to 20 per cent of their land. It has been estimated that if replicated under Labour in England, this would force more than 20,000 farms out of business.
“As I said in a letter in March to the First Minister regarding the proposed Sustainable Farming Scheme in Wales, “many industries come and go, but farming cannot be allowed to be put at risk. Food security,food affordability, and the knowledge of farmers to manage the land and keep it healthy and attractive are all ideals that should be supported by the Welsh Government”.
“I also stressed that “it is important that Welsh farmers are not put at a disadvantage to their counterparts across the border in England”, emphasising that “already where deviation in rules exists, it can lead to a competitive advantage for English farmers”.
The Minister for Food, Farming and Fisheries said:
“Supporting British farmers is a priority for this government. Farming is the lifeblood of our rural communities, and offers huge economic benefits to the whole of the UK. But, we need to go further in improving farming resilience, increasing food security, and boosting domestic food production.
“We are determined to continue supporting British farmers - and this plan will help ensure that farmers have the support they need to increase domestic production, and ensure a strong farming sector for generations to come.
“The long-term decisions we are taking will help ensure the future of British farming and of domestic food production and security.”
