As farmers protest against a lack of support for British food production, scores of tractors are heading towards Westminster. Organisers Save British Farming and Fairness for Farmers of Kent have claimed that UK food security is at risk due to cheap food imports and unsupportive policies. “No farming, no food, no future” was among the slogans on the signs carried by tractors flying Union flags as they made their way towards London.
Protests similar to this have taken place in various European countries over the past few months, with angry farmers demonstrating against European Union regulations and cheap imports. Thousands of farmers in Wales have also joined forces to fight new farm subsidy plans. A few demonstrations have occurred in England, but this rally is predicted to be the largest so far.
Another farmer, Colin Rayner, with 2,000 acres of arable land across east Berkshire and south Buckinghamshire, revealed that he had “no choice” but to protest as the poor state of his business meant that this could be the farm’s last harvest. He went on to explain that “We have been farming for 500 years, and the government now has a scheme where they will pay us more money to grow wildflowers than to grow food. It is insanity,” urging “We have got to produce healthy good food – which we can do.”
Farmers in England also argue that agricultural policy, together with weak trade deals, “non-existent” import controls and misleading labelling, has had the effect of undermining farming businesses, ultimately threatening the country’s ability to produce enough food to feed its population.
Finally, Mark Spencer, the farming minister, stated that “We firmly back our farmers. British farming is at the heart of British trade, and we put agriculture at the forefront of any deals we negotiate, prioritising new export opportunities, protecting UK food standards and removing market access barriers.” The government has claimed that at least 60% of the food that Britain consumes will still be produced in the country, and food safety will be monitored annually. They also claimed to have maintained the country’s £2.4bn farming budget and are considering measures to improve fairness in the supply chain
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