Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrat Party, visited Warren’s Farm Shop near Cheddar this week to pick strawberries alongside Wells & Mendip Hills MP Tessa Munt. During the visit, he called on shoppers to support British farmers by choosing homegrown produce, warning that the combination of the Government’s proposed Family Farm Tax and rising food inflation is placing a dangerous “double whammy” on farming communities.
Davey emphasized that farming is the backbone of rural economies but warned that current policies threaten to create “lost generations of farmers.” He criticized the Government’s Family Farm Tax plan for deepening the financial pressures on farmers and urged its immediate repeal. Instead, he proposed establishing a Farming Innovation, Exchange, Learning and Development (FIELD) Fund aimed at strengthening and futureproofing British farming networks.
Highlighting the vital role of Somerset’s nearly 4,500 farms, Tessa Munt underscored the urgent need to encourage young people to enter farming and support those already in the profession to stay. With only 5% of farmers under 35, the demographic challenge adds to the industry’s fragility.
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Davey pointed out that while strawberry prices may be lower this year due to crop conditions, consumers and government alike must continue to support producers through both prosperous and difficult times. He stressed that placing the financial burden on shoppers during the cost of living crisis is neither fair nor sustainable.
The Liberal Democrats also aim to address the mental health crisis in farming communities by funding farmer-to-farmer support networks. These networks would allow experienced farmers to mentor younger generations, fostering resilience and sharing knowledge essential for long-term success.
Ultimately, the party demands the repeal of the Family Farm Tax and calls for an increase of £1 billion annually to the farming budget. This investment would help struggling farms survive and secure the nation’s future food security.
Ed Davey concluded, “We are facing lost generations of farmers, and we cannot let that happen. Government action is imperative to safeguard the future of British farming and our rural communities.”