Farming provides valuable income and jobs to rural communities like ours here in my constituency of East Grinstead and Uckfield. I know our farmers and growers work incredibly hard 24/7 365 days a year to keep food on our tables in Britain as well as playing an enormous role in protecting the environment and managing the countryside. Supporting the health and growth of the sector should be a key component of the Government's priority of growing the economy.
I have visited many of our local farms. I know they are committed custodians of our local landscapes and of the rural way of life. They make an important contribution to our local economy and our communities.
In May 2024, the then Prime Minister Rishi Sunak hosted the second UK Farm to Fork Summit at Number 10 Downing Street alongside other Government Ministers. The Summit aimed to bring together representatives from across the supply chain to discuss some of the key challenges and growth opportunities that lie ahead. While the last Government prioritised plans to bolster food security and to support a resilient and profitable food and farming sector, the current Government has failed to commit to holding the summit in 2025.
I do agree the Government must commit to tackling contractual unfairness that can exist in the agri-food supply chain and Ministers should work to ensure farmers get fair prices for their products. This is a matter I feel very strongly about and have supported for many years so I was pleased the previous Government commissioned the Fresh Produce Supply Chain Review to enhance fairness in the industry, helping British farmers and growers secure a fair return while ensuring consumers continue to enjoy access to high-quality, fresh British produce.
With the review concluded, the current Government has continued this important work and introduced 'Fair Dealings' regulations to improve contractual practices in agriculture for the UK dairy and pig sectors. I would very much like the Government to prioritise introducing similar measures for the egg and fresh produce sectors.
I am firmly committed to backing British farmers, and feel it is only right that producers should be paid a fair price. Sadly, however, it is clear this Government is not on the side of farmers and the family farm tax is a prime example of how the Government's actions are threatening family farms, food production and security.
You may be interested in reading this related statement on the need for financial certainty for rural environmental schemes to enable the restoration nature while working with farmers to grow and maintain a resilient, productive and diverse agricultural sector.
Mims Davies Statement on Nature Friendly Farming | Mims Davies
As you may be aware, EDMs are motions submitted for debate in the House of Commons for which no day has been fixed. Essentially, because no specific time is allocated to EDMs for debate, very few are debated and with a lack of debate, I do not feel they are helpful in forming the basis for thoughtful changes to policy and for that reason, I do not routinely sign EDMs.
That said, I was interested in the issues raised in this particular EDM, so thank you for highlighting it to me. I will continue to follow this issue closely.
