Speaking to farmers at last week’s National Farmers Union conference in Westminster, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs announced major reforms that will make farming in Hexham constituency more profitable. These plans for reform in the agricultural sector reaffirm this government’s cast iron commitment to unlocking rural growth.
Steve Reed’s speech announced a raft of new policies that will put money into the pockets of farmers across Northumberland, including:
- The extension of the Seasonal Worker Visa for five more years, giving farms a pipeline of workers and certainty to grow their businesses. Annual quota reviews will ensure that this government strikes the right balance between supporting farms while gradually reducing visa numbers as we develop alternative solutions.
- New requirements for government catering contracts to back British produce and favour the high-quality, high-welfare products served by local farms and producers.
- An £110 million investment in The Farming Innovation Programme and the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund to support the development of agri-technology for farmers and provide grants for new equipment.
- New protections for British Farmers in future trade deals by upholding national environmental and animal welfare standards.
- A £200 million investment and new National Biosecurity Centre to improve the nation’s resilience against animal disease and protect our farmers and food producers.
Speaking about profitability, Steve Reed, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said:
“The underlying problem is that farmers in Hexham constituency do not make enough money for the hard work and commitment they put in.
“I will consider my time as Secretary of State a failure if I do not improve profitability for farmers across the country.
“My focus is on ensuring farming becomes more profitable because that’s how we make your businesses viable for the future. And that’s how we ensure the long-term food security this country needs.”
This builds on the commitments made at the Oxford Farming Conference, where the Environment Secretary set out the government’s vision for farming including:
- Using planning reforms to make it quicker for farmers to build the buildings, barns and other infrastructure they need on their farms to boost food production.
- Helping farmers to diversify their income streams and make additional money from selling surplus solar panel or wind turbine energy by accelerating connections to the grid, supporting them during difficult harvests and supply shocks.
- New rules for the pig sector coming into effect this spring to boost profitability through fair competition across the supply chain. All contracts are to clearly set out expectations and changes can only be made if agreed by all parties. Similar regulations for eggs and fresh produce sectors are to follow.
Joe Morris, Member of Parliament for Hexham constituency says:
“I welcome these new commitments from the government to boosting the profits of farmers in Hexham constituency. I know that some of the decisions we have made so far have not been popular with the farming community, but I hope this announcement sends a clear message that we do care, we are listening and we want British farming to thrive.
“I have met with farmers from right across our constituency, whether that be over a cuppa in their kitchens or at NFU-facilitated roundtables, and they have been clear that a profitable future for farming is paramount to them.
“From new protections for farmers in future trade deals to increased backing of British produce in public sector contracts, I hope this announcement will reassure our fantastic farming community here in Hexham that this government is taking meaningful steps to ensure the longevity and profitability of British farming”.