I was pleased to meet with local farmers last Friday and Saturday, the former NFU members from Ryedale and the latter members from the North Yorkshire Moors Quality Sheep Association.
I also met with the North East Student and Young Farmer Ambassadors group earlier today in Parliament, made up of representatives from across the North East and Yorkshire region. After a tour of Parliament, we met to discuss everything from farming support in Parliament, to Brexit and solar farms. I'm grateful to the group for their time and insightful questions.
Farmers have to cope with volatility in terms of how much they sell for and what is unique about this is essential supplies, such as agro-chemicals and fertilisers have rocketed in price. This makes life incredibly difficult for farmers given the change in payment structure is also coming at the same time.
The overriding point is, while we should push for climate change mitigation and energy security measures, solar farms and re-wilding will occupy substantial productive farmland, which directly counters food security. Currently we supply just 60% of what we consume and I have made the point to ministers that we must set a target of 75% productive farmland.
I will continue to press ministers on this point, on ensuring farmers are on a fair and level playing field and on delaying the implementation of basic payments until it is fully worked through.
