Dr Neil Hudson, MP for Penrith and The Border, was invited by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to attend the UK Farm to Food Summit at Number 10 where food bosses gathered to discuss solutions to the challenges facing our agri-food system.
On Tuesday supermarket chiefs, farming representatives, consumer groups and supply chain experts met to address a host of issues ranging from inflated food prices and supply chain resilience to sustainable farming practices and innovation.
The Prime Minister has also set out new support for farmers to boost the economy while keeping British farms productive. New measures include £2m to boost global trade shows and missions, additional reviews of critical supply chains like egg and horticulture and an additional 45,000 visas to be made available to overcome workforce challenges in the horticulture sector next year.
Dr Hudson was particularly heartened by measures to put farming interests at the heart of new trade negotiations, having been a vocal advocate for the farming community while Government secured free trade agreements with Australia and New Zealand. A new trade framework will protect the UK’s world-leading food and animal welfare standards.
Moreover, having championed the Precision Breeding Act as it passed through Parliament, Dr Hudson welcomed up to £30 million of investment earmarked to drive forward new technologies made possible by the innovative legislation.
As a veterinary surgeon with a wealth of professional experience relating to animal health and agriculture and as a member of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, Dr Hudson has played a central role in calling attention to the issue of food security since the pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine significantly disrupted international systems.
Dr Neil Hudson, MP for Penrith and The Border, said:
“Making sure the public can access affordable, nutritious –and preferably local – food is one of the most pressing issues of our time. Today’s summit highlights how acutely the Prime Minister understands this, and I was really heartened to hear more about his new package support for farmers announced this week. It was an honour to be invited by the Prime Minister to today’s crucial summit.
"I've championed farming interests and animal welfare in trade deals and unlocking innovative potential through new precision breeding technologies for some time now, so to hear both areas being bolstered by Government policy was heartening.
“Working collegiately with Government, sector leaders and of course our incredible British farmers, is the only way to implement a resilient and holistic food strategy that benefits us all.
The veterinary MP has played a leading role by instigating the EFRA Committee’s Inquiry into Food Security – probing Ministers and industry experts; visiting foodbanks and community pantries in Liverpool; and providing a strong and consistent voice for British Farmers in Parliament. Moreover, today’s summit also comes as EFRA launch a new Inquiry aimed directly at tackling spiralling food prices. More information here.
Further information on the Prime Minister’s announcement can be found here: www.gov.uk/government/news/government-backs-british-farmers-with-new-package-of-support
