MPs from across the House of Commons called on the government to deliver an increased agriculture budget after an opposition debate day raised the importance of farming to Britain’s food security, environment and economic growth.
There was cross party consensus throughout the debate that food security is national security. The agriculture budget is essential to investing in the farming and growing businesses that underpin the future of food and deliver for the environment.
NFU President Tom Bradshaw said: “As we saw in the debate, food is not partisan. It should not be a kicked around like a rotten pumpkin. The farming and growing businesses that produce food need long-term certainty so they can plan and invest for the future. The number one way to do this is to ensure we have a strategy to boost Britain’s food security, and this must be invested in and supported by an increased agriculture budget.”
During the debate Defra Secretary Steve Reed reiterated that “farming and food security are the foundations of our economy, our communities and indeed our environment.”
Bradshaw continued: “High costs, record inflation, low farm returns and the persistent bad weather has resulted in a collapse in farmer confidence, which is at its lowest level since records began. This October budget is key to delivering certainty to our food producing businesses, food security and environmental targets, all of which contribute to the government’s missions for growth and prosperity.
“Now is the time to make our voices heard. I urge all members to use our campaigning letter template3 to write to their MP to tell them why the agriculture budget is so important to their businesses. It’s vital we show that this is an issue that affects farmers across the whole of the country.”