Tom Gordon: DEFRA report proves farming communities are the lifeblood of food security
Following the release of DEFRA’s Food Security Report 2024, Tom Gordon, MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, has called on the government to recognise rural communities as the lifeblood of British food security, and to axe the family farm tax.
According to the DEFRA report, the number of food secure households declined from 92% to 90% between the 2019-20 and 2022-23 financial years. Low-income and disabled groups were found to be disproportionately at risk of becoming food insecure.
Additionally, the report found that agri-food labour shortages following the UKs departure from the EU and a spike in fertiliser costs following Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine were having a significant impact on the food supply chain, with the UK population facing food shortages for sustained periods.
The Liberal Democrats want to see the Government recognise the importance of rural communities in sustaining Britain’s food security and provide farmers with the support they need to see our food chains thrive. This starts by reversing the recently announced family farm tax to protect farmers in Harrogate and Knaresborough.
In recent weeks, Tom has met with farmers in his constituency to talk about the challenges they face.
In a question to the Prime Minister on the 11th of December, Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey challenged Keir Starmer to rethink the family farm tax. He demanded recognition for the “vital role of Britain’s family farmers” who have faced years of neglect through the Conservative Government’s botched payment transitions and unfair trade deals that undercut British farmers.
Tom Gordon, MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, said:
“This report is an important reminder that farmers and rural communities are the lifeblood of British food security, our economy and our environment. The Government must recognise this. We should be celebrating and supporting their work, but both the last government and this one have completely neglected their needs.
“Farmers have had to suffer the consequences of botched trade deals under the previous Conservative government, and now they face an unfair family farm tax under this Labour Government.
“The agricultural policy of this government and the last has actively disincentivised the production of food. It is an outrageous and foolish betrayal of our farmers. I’ll be continuing to stand up for family farms and the rural community across Harrogate and Knaresborough”.
ENDS
DEFRA’s food security report can be found here.
Lib Dem Leader Ed Davey’s full PMQ:
“British farmers are the best in the world.
“They are the best in the world because of our tradition of family farming - that passes from generation to generation a commitment to high quality food, animal welfare and our precious environment.
“But family farms were let down badly by the Conservative Government – with their botched transition to the new payment schemes and unfair trade deals that let Australia and New Zealand undercut our farmers.
“Now many family farms fear this Budget could be the final blow.
“So will the Prime Minister change course, and recognise the vital role of Britain’s family farmers?”