Brecon and Radnorshire MP Fay Jones has warmly welcomed a new food policy which will benefit livestock farmers in the constituency.
Last week, the Environment Secretary George Eustice announced a new food production strategy for the food and farming sectors. The announcement came after many including Ms Jones lobbied the Government to recognise the role of farming and food production in the UK – particularly in light of the stress placed on global supply chains following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
With farmers facing particular pressures on fuel and fertiliser prices, Ms Jones has pressed Ministers to secure our domestic food supply. The Strategy will build on the UK’s impressive self-sufficiency record, where 74 per cent of what we consume is produced in this country, and ensure that this target is met or exceeded each year. The Government will also offer more support to farmers - investing £270 million across farming innovation programmes to generate productivity and maximise food production.
In addition, the strategy will create new partnership between the public and private sector to provide consumers with more information about the food they eat while incentivising industry to produce healthier, more ethical, and sustainable goods.
Ms Jones used her intervention in the House of Commons to emphasise the connection between food production and environmental benefit. She particularly singled out the UK red meat sector – highlighting “Brecon and Radnorshire’s rolling green hills as a perfect example of the virtuous circle of UK livestock farming.”
Speaking after the announcement, Ms Jones added:
“This is something I have been pressing Ministers for some time and it is a hugely welcome step. One I hope that the Welsh Labour Government in Cardiff Bay will copy. I want to see food production in Brecon and Radnorshire working flat out – so that consumers have full plates and full tummies, and farming businesses have full bank balances.
Our red meat sector is world class. Farmers here produce incredible food which is health for our diets and for the environment. I am glad that the UK Government is recognising that and is determined to help farmers scale up production. This is exactly what the Government should be doing.”
To read Fay’s contribution please click here: https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2022-06-13/debates/2C65A0A7-CA1E-48D2-9610-08DDC40DEEB5/GovernmentFoodStrategy#contribution-8722FDF9-03F0-4653-989B-0EE4B947D925