Meon Valley MP Flick Drummond has welcomed the government announcing new investment and support for British farmers.
The Prime Minister unveiled the new measures set out at the UK Farm to Fork Summit held at Downing Street yesterday.
MPs and representatives from the whole food supply chain came together to identify further opportunities to boost growth, drive innovation and improve sustainability.
Flick also attended a breakfast with Rishi Sunak at No 10 to discuss the measures and agriculture and farming in general.
“Farmers across Meon Valley do so much to ensure we have high quality food in our supermarkets and shops that is often the envy of the world,” Flick said.
“I welcome this summit and the PM’s and government’s commitment to the rural economy and an acknowledgement that support investment and innovation are key drivers of it.
“An important part of the summit was Rishi Sunak putting farmers’ interests at the heart of our trade policy with a commitment to protect the UK’s high food and welfare standards and prioritise new export opportunities. From conversations I have had with farmers this has been an area of concern for them and it was something I mentioned in the breakfast meeting.”
Other measures announced include: £5.6 million in additional investment to boost exports of great British food around the world, a further £30 million investment to build on the new Genetic Technology Act to drive forward the use of precision breeding technologies and using new powers to make sure farmers get a fair price for their produce in the egg and horticulture sectors:
NFU President Minette Batters said: “I am absolutely delighted that the Prime Minister has honoured the commitments he made when he addressed our hustings event back in the summer to hold this food summit at Number 10, and we welcome the announcements made today. They show a recognition and an understanding of the strategic importance of British food and farming to the nation.
“These actions recognise the importance of coordinated action across government to support confidence, investment and growth in British food.”
