Stuart Anderson MP Calls for Improved Food Security and Support for Shropshire Farmers
Stuart Anderson MP has called on Ministers to make it "as easy as possible" to buy locally produced food. It follows warnings that the UK is “highly dependent” on imports of fruit, vegetables, and seafood.
This is according to the government's own Food Security Report. It also reveals that the UK produces only 53% of the vegetables it consumes. This has declined from 57% in 2021.
Meanwhile, the UK is only 16% self-sufficient in fruit and there has been an 11% decline in self-sufficiency when it comes to poultry. Overall, the report adds that the UK relies on imports for roughly 40% of its food.
Following these findings, Stuart has called on the Government to introduce a yearly Food Security Index - as outlined in the Conservative Party Manifesto. This would underpin the Government's three-yearly Food Security Report, which is required by the Agriculture Act 2020.
Stuart has added that it should be mandatory for Ministers to report on short-term trends in food production, productivity, and resilience. This is so that we can better monitor levels of self-sufficiency and inform action to improve overall food security.
The campaign comes as a petition to axe the Family Farm Tax has gained 200,000 signatures. Analysis published by the OBR (Office for Budget Responsibility) shows that the tax will cost more than it raises, and will lead to the loss of over 125,000 jobs.
In response, Stuart has renewed calls for the tax to be axed. If it is not scrapped, farmers will face a 20% inheritance tax bill on estates with business and agricultural assets worth more than £1 million.
The government has confirmed that everything from farm tools and vehicles to livestock and fertiliser will be included in the valuation of farms. While the Government claims this policy will only affect 27% of farms, the NFU claimed it does not reflect rising land values.
NFU analysis shows that, when adjusting for the current market value of farmland and typical farm assets, 75% of commercial family farms are above the £1 million threshold. Even at a £2 million threshold, these payments would consume nearly all profits for many medium-sized farms.
To help residents find locally produced food, Stuart is promoting the Produce&Provide website. It was set up by food and farming champion Neil Darwent, who was awarded BBC Outstanding Farmer of the Year in 2014.
The website aims to promote great tasting food sold direct from farms, empowering more producers to win the recognition and reward they deserve. It signposts hundreds of British farms selling food direct to their local communities and beyond.
To use the website, residents can enter their nearest town or postcode and set the radius they wish to search. They can then click on the pins to find out more about each producer, the food they produce, and a link to their own website or Facebook page.
Stuart is encouraging more farmers to add the map at no cost. They can do by completing a simple form which asks more questions about their farm address and postcode, the food they produce, and how people can buy from them.
Stuart Anderson MP said:
"Farming is a fundamental part of life in South Shropshire and has been for many generations. Our county has the highest number of farm holdings in England, forming nearly 20% of all enterprises in Shropshire. There is great potential for Shropshire farmers to contribute towards national economic growth. Yet, as the National Farmers’ Union has reported, plans to hike inheritance tax will consume nearly all their profits - leaving them unable to invest in resilience or innovation. As set out in the government's Food Security Report, the UK remains “highly dependent” on imports of fruit, vegetables, and seafood from abroad. So, it does not make sense to proceed with this tax hike. It will damage the country’s food security and force families off land they have farmed for generations. The government should instead support our farmers and make it as easy as possible for residents in South Shropshire and beyond to buy locally produced food. The manifesto on which I stood for election committed to introducing a legally binding target to enhance our food security, complemented by a Food Security Index. I continue to believe that it should be mandatory for Ministers to report on short-term trends in food production, productivity, and resilience. This will create the accountability needed to plan actions that support farmers, grow the rural economy, and reduce pressure on prices."
The UK Food Security Report (UKFSR) report sets out an analysis of statistical data relating to food security in the UK, fulfilling the duty in the Agriculture Act 2020 to present a report on food security to Parliament at least once every three years.
The UKFSR examines past, current, and future trends relevant to food security to present the best available understanding of food security. The next report will be published towards the end of 2027.
