Jo Churchill MP has welcomed new investment and support for British farmers set out at the UK Farm to Fork Summit today. Representatives from the food supply chain came together at 10 Downing Street for the summit, to identify further opportunities to boost growth, drive innovation and improve sustainability. The summit fulfils a commitment made by the Prime Minister last summer.
Ahead of the Summit, government confirmed a range of further new measures to help strengthen the long-term resilience and sustainability of the sector.
Announcements include:
- The Prime Minister set out a new framework for trade negotiations: putting farmers’ interests at the heart of trade policy, committing to protect the UK’s high food and welfare standards and prioritise new export opportunities.
- £5.6 million additional investment to boost exports of great British food around the world: increasing global trade shows and missions, expanding the successful GREAT food and drink campaign, extending the Seafood Exports Package, and providing a bespoke export fund for the dairy sector
- £30 million investment to build on the new Genetic Technology Act: driving forward the use of precision breeding technologies and convening a working group to help produce from farms to the shelves.
- Using new powers to make sure farmers get a fair price for their produce in the egg and horticulture sectors: Following progress in the reviews of the dairy and pig supply chains utilising powers in the Agriculture Act, the next reviews will take place in the egg and horticulture sectors
- Confirming the future of support for horticulture: We will improve future support for horticulture by replacing the retained EU Fruit and Vegetable Producer Organisation Scheme when it closes in 2026 with an expanded offer as part of our new farming payment schemes.
Commenting, Jo Churchill MP said: “Farmers and producers across the Bury St Edmunds constituency and country work tirelessly to provide us with the high-quality food that we all enjoy. They are the driving force behind our rural economy, generating employment and growth within our community.
“I was pleased to attend the Prime Minister’s summit, where we discussed the challenges and opportunities that our farmers face. The announcement of new investment measures and support is a positive step, and I am confident that it will help our farmers to continue to produce the food upon which we all depend.
“The measures will further enable farmers to adapt to new technologies and practices that will improve productivity and sustainability. The support will also assist farmers in coping with the rising cost of inputs, such as fuel and fertilizer.
“These measures are essential to ensure that our farmers can continue to produce the food that we need, now and in the future.”
Farming Secretary Thérèse Coffey said: “Our British farmers and food producers are the backbone of the rural economy and crucial to our food security. We want to promote growth, investment and put more UK food and drink on plates – both at home and abroad.”
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “I will always back British farmers, and I pay tribute to their hard work and dedication all year round which keeps shelves stocked and food on our tables. Supporting our farmers and food producers must, and always will be, at the heart of our plans to grow the economy and build a more prosperous country. That’s why I’m proud to host this summit, and working together, I’m determined to build resilience, strengthen our food security and champion the best of British at home and overseas.”
