Philip Dunne MP has welcomed the Government’s second annual food security summit and the launch of plans which will boost domestic food production and improve food security in South Shropshire. 

The plan, which builds on the Government’s strong measures of support for British farmers, includes introducing the first ever UK Food Security Index, which will allow the government to monitor in year shocks across the UK and support the sector grow more food.

The Government has also responded to the Shropshire Review, ensuring that the domestic farming sector has the labour it needs, and the funding to support greater automation. This includes extending the seasonal visa route for five years, and agreeing a taper for this period with industry, supporting the transition away from migrant workers with a planned £50 million package on packhouse automation funding.     

The Government has also published the Blueprint for Growing the UK Fruit and Vegetable Sector – introducing plans that aim to build the resilience of the UK’s fresh produce sector to boost domestic production and reduce reliance on imports.

Further measures in the plan include cutting 60 pieces of redundant Retained EU Law red tape, and unlocking the opportunities of precision breeding with £15 million invested into Genetic Improvement Networks.

The Government is also supporting farmers to get a fair price for their products, by announcing the next steps in the supply chain reviews for eggs, fresh produce and pigs. In all three sectors the Government will introduce legislation to enhance fairness and transparency.

The Government also announced last month grants of between £500 and £25,000 to farmers affected by exceptional flooding due to Storm Henk. It is also putting in place flexibility through temporary adjustments to agreements in Sustainable Farming Incentives (SFI) and Countryside Stewardship so farmers who have been unable to carry out requirements do not miss out on income in the transition from the EU Basic Payment Scheme to SFI.

Mr Dunne, who has responsibility for his family farm, said:

“Farmers in South Shropshire work tirelessly every day of the year, and not only are they key to our local economy, they also make a central contribution to the UK economy and to protecting our domestic food supply.

“I am therefore pleased the Government has announced further plans to support British farmers, boost domestic food production, invest in food security and further improve farming resilience. 

“The Government is sticking to the plan to back British farmers and ensure a strong domestic farming industry and food security for all across the UK.”