Last Wednesday was #BackBritishFarmingDay. Here in Faversham and Mid Kent we are home to some of the country's leading fruit growers, along with arable and livestock farmers. I always feel a moment of pride when I see strawberries, raspberries or apples with a local label on them in a supermarket, whether close by or in a far-flung part of the country. Local farmers help to feed the nation, and it's healthy and delicious.
Behind the scenes of the success story for Kent's fruit is a darker picture. The last few years have been tough. Costs have gone up in farming - like in so many areas of the economy- but the prices paid by supermarkets haven't kept pace with inflation.
Ever since I became an MP I've stood up for farmers and particularly for fruit growers; there are only a handful of MPs who have a significant fruit sector in their constituencies, and horticulture gets much less attention than other kinds of farming. Successes under the last Government included the expansion of the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Visa scheme through to 2029, doubling of horticulture support funding, and the commitment to a review into the horticulture supply chain.
Last week I wrote to the new Secretary of State for Agriculture asking for an update on the review of the horticulture supply chain. The failure of supermarkets to pay a fair price is threatening the future of British fruit. I know growers in Faversham and Mid Kent are facing tough decisions and this review is crucial as Government action to address unfairness is likely to depend on its findings.
The Conservative Government backed farmers with a £2.4 billion farming budget, targeted to support the work farmers do to look after our countryside. There’s been scarcely a mention of farmers from Keir Starmer since he became Prime Minister. That's why I'm already putting the work in to make sure farmers, food production and particularly fruit get the attention they deserve from the new Government.
