A fairer deal for Britain's farmers

In the run up to Christmas, our thoughts turn to the festive food we will share with family and friends.  We are so fortunate that we live in a part of the world that has so many high quality local farmers and food producers.  Last week, the Truro Primestock Show provided a great day out and an excellent way for people living near Truro to meet the people who are bringing the food from the fields around the city to the food on our plates.

Growing more food locally and encouraging people to choose food grown in this country is vitally important to me.  With a global population estimated to increase from 6 billion to 9 billion by 2050 and estimates suggesting that food production will need to increase by 70% compared to 2005-07 levels, increasing availability and access to existing food supplies, including minimising waste along the food chain, will be essential.  Already over 1 billion people globally face hunger and under nourishment.

Access to food grown locally and in the UK is improving but there is more to be done to support farming and food production.  The Coalition Government is pushing ahead with a range of reforms including ensuring supermarkets pay farmers a fair price for the food they produce and improving food labelling so it is easier for us to choose not only healthier food but that which is locally sourced.  I also know how important animal welfare is to people living in this constituency from the number of e-mails that I receive on this subject.

Supporting local farmers and food producers is an important part of my work in Westminster and as such I recently met with National Farmers’ Union (NFU) representatives and just last week with McCain - best known for their oven chips.  Better for us than pasta and rice and all grown in the UK, local potato growers are contributing an astounding 750,000 tonnes of potatoes to McCain each year.

I am vice Chairman of the newly created All-Party Parliamentary Fruit Group in Westminster.  This group will provide an opportunity for growers to influence government policy to support them.  Local fruit growers make a valuable contribution to not only our diet but to the local economy.  For example, Healey’s Cornish Cyder Farm has produced award winning ciders and is contributing to the local economy and providing employment to many people in the area.

I was pleased to help support our local high quality local cider makers with the introduction of a Bill that defined cider.  The Government’s efforts to curb binge drinking through more excise duty on drinks with a strong alcohol content would have negatively impacted high quality cider producers.  A clear definition will allow for a distinction to be drawn between top quality ciders such as Healey’s, and mass produced, low quality and very strong alcoholic drinks.

I am supporting the NFU’s and Women’s Institute Mission Milk campaign.  It is a great pity that we have to revisit this issue since the last campaign in 2007 – but I will work with all concerned to do what I can to ensure dairy farmers are paid a sustainable price for their milk.  If you would like more information about this campaign, or if you want to get involved, please visit their website at: http://www.thewi.org.uk/standard.aspx?id=20966.

Article by Sarah Newton MP, published in the West Briton