Ever since I have been an MP I have banged the drum for farming and the rural economy. It’s part of our history and our heritage; it generates jobs and investment locally; and it puts Great British food on people’s plate.
But also - and arguably most importantly - the past two years have shown us the risks of relying on importing something we cannot live without. I don’t want one day to face the same problem with food as Putin’s war in Ukraine gave us with energy.
I know the past few years have been really tough for the sector. The climate is becoming less predictable, Brexit has meant a huge amount of change, and returns to growers have simply not kept up with the increase in input costs.
Farmers need government support now more than ever, and I am working hard to get your concerns heard. In Spring last year I managed to get some of our local fruit growers up to DEFRA for a meeting with the Farming Minister Mark Spencer, and he then came to visit us down in Graveney later in the year.
As a result of these conversations we have made real progress in some of the main areas of concern. We got the Seasonal Workers Visa expanded and committed to up to 2029. We have secured a review into supply chain fairness in the fresh produce sector. And we got a replacement for the Retained EU Scheme which doubled the amount of funding given to horticulture businesses.
Earlier this year the Prime Minister also set out plans for the new UK Food Security Index to look at responding to the risks for UK food security, as well as a new national plan to grow the UK Fruit and Veg sector.
And having spoken to so many of you over the past few years I know it’s not just farming that causes you concern. I have also been working with local police to get rural crime added to Kent Police’s Control Strategy for the first time, the Rural Task Force expanded and 101 call answering times improved to some of the best in the country.
There is a huge amount more to do and I hope I’m not finished yet! If I’m re-elected you can be sure I’ll keep up my reputation as one of farming’s biggest backers in Westminster.
