MPs slammed for dismal turnout at food security debate

A poor turnout for a debate on food security in the House of Commons shows MPs are refusing to take this important issue seriously, say farm leaders.

Just a handful of MPs attended the Westminster debate on Thursday (21 March), which was opened by Philip Dunne, Conservative MP for Ludlow and chairman of the Environmental Audit Committee (EAC).

Mr Dunne put forward the motion for MPs to discuss a number of reports by the EAC, the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Efra) Committee and the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee, tackling the issue of national food security.

See also: Food security threatened by ELM scheme, scientists warn

Ed Barker, head of policy and external affairs at the Agricultural Industries Confederation, posted the TV image of the debate, which showed about a dozen MPs were present.

MPs are currently debating food security in the Commons. pic.twitter.com/KlJjKos81r

— Ed Barker (@edbarkerAIC) March 21, 2024

“Given the subject’s importance… it’s not a good look,” he tweeted. Mr Barker added context saying “nothing was voted on, no motions”.

Liz Webster, founder of campaign group Save British Farming (SBF), said the visual summed up the “shocking attitude” of many MPs towards an increasingly important subject.

On Monday (25 March), SBF is partnering with the Kent-based Farmers for Fairness group for a tractor rally in central London to demand politicians take action to save food security, including protection for British farmers from lower standard food imports and cheap food trade deals.

“The photo of the chamber illustrates perfectly how seriously MPs take the vitally important issue of our national food security,” Mrs Webster told Farmers Weekly.

“It says it all as to why farmers feel the need to get into their tractors and drive to parliament. It’s shocking that MPs show such low regard for food security.

“This is why I believe it’s time for farmers to rise up and force Westminster – MPs and civil servants – to recognise the dire situation for British food security.”

Putin threat

She added: “The rising threat of Putin in Europe really means there should be total focus on our food security.”

The government says it is committed to ensuring the UK remains 60% self-sufficient in all foods. But it has rejected repeated calls by the NFU to introduce legislation in the Agriculture Act.