I completely agree that small family farms are a big part of our national identity and I have always worked to support our farmers who are the backbone of the rural economy as well as stewards of the British countryside. As many of you are aware, I come from a family with a strong farming background myself and am proud to represent these hard-working men, women and families, especially in my constituency.
To that end, I will be holding a second Food, Farming and Rural Business Breakfast for constituents in the Spring to discuss food security, farming and rural affairs and hear directly from farmers and growers about the issues that matter to them.
I am aware of the petition on Parliament’s website relating to the Grocery Supply Code of Practice and will try to attend the Westminster Hall debate on this petition, should my diary allow.
I would like to assure you that the Government is committed to working with businesses and organisations across the food supply chain, including farmers, manufacturing and distribution businesses and retailers, to ensure that we have a thriving food sector in the UK. I welcome that representatives from the whole food supply chain came together at Downing Street in May 2023 to identify ways in which the Government and industry can work together to boost growth, drive innovation, and improve sustainability in the food sector.
Ministers are committed to tacking contractual unfairness that can exist in the agri-food supply chain and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is working to support farmers and ensure they get a fair price for their products.
The Government has launched a review to improve fairness in the fresh produce supply chain, supporting British farmers and growers to receive a fair price for their products and ensuring customers have access to high-quality fresh British products. This review delivers on a key commitment made by the Prime Minister at the Farm to Fork Summit in May and will seek the views of industry on issues including the fairness of contracts between producers and purchasers in the sector, and how supply chain data can be used to support transparency in the negotiation process.
The review, which is open until 22 February, can be found here:
Contractual relationships in the UK fresh produce industry - Defra - Citizen Space
You can read more about my advocacy for British farming here:
Mims Davies MP backs British farming as PM hosts Downing Street Summit | Mims Davies
Mims Davies MP joins celebration of Britain’s farmers on Back British Farming Day | Mims Davies