Truss and Sunak set out their plans for farming

With voting papers being sent to Conservative party members today (Monday) the two candidates in the race to become the next prime minister have set our their plans to support British agriculture.

Frontrunner in the competition Liz Truss says her plans will make British farmers more competitive “freeing them to grow more sustainable and high-quality British food in order to enhance our nation’s food security”.

See also: Tory leadership hopefuls hear farmers’ priorities 

Meeting farmers on a visit in the South West, she will say that leaving the EU has given us a “once in a lifetime opportunity to truly unleash British food and farming”.

Her specific commitments are to cut red tape – which she blames on past EU membership – and to make it easier for farmers to access the workers they need.

This would be achieved by a short-term expansion to the Seasonal Worker Scheme, while working with industry to address longer term skills shortages and promote labour-saving technologies.

“The pandemic and cost of living crisis have shown it is more vital than ever for us to ensure we have a high-quality and affordable supply of British food,” Ms Truss will say.

“As a former Defra secretary of state, I understand the challenges faced by farmers and they can trust me to deliver the changes they need.”

Food security

Former chancellor and leadership hopeful Rishi Sunak has also majored on food security in his “manifesto”, promising to introduce a new food security target, while also promoting environmental delivery.

“The Common Agricultural Policy did nothing to deliver for farmers, farming and the environment. It was indefensible that 50% of the budget went to just 10% of the largest landowners,” said Mr Sunak.

“That is why I will drive forward the most significant reforms to farming in half a century. Not only that, recent events have demonstrated the importance of domestic food production and the national resilience that it gives us. I will put a renewed focus on it – and ensure that we are supporting our farmers to boost production.”

Specifically, Mr Sunak says he will:

• Boost domestic food production through a new statutory UK food security target, reviewed annually through a food security summit at 10 Downing Street
• Introduce new targets for the public sector to source at least 50% of their food locally, as well as funding a new UK food and drink advertising campaign
• Support farmers in all future UK trade deals, taking time to get the deals right, rather than rushing them through to meet artificial, self-imposed deadlines
• Protect the best agricultural land from housing, “rewilding”, or large-scale solar farms, to make sure they have minimal impact on food production.

Support

With voting getting under way, Ms Truss has secured the backing of former NFU president Meurig Raymond, who praised her “drive, determination and ability to deliver on her promises”.

“I share her vision of a competitive, profitable and sustainable farming sector underpinned by investment in the latest technology and innovation, and a proportionate and flexible approach to regulation,” he said.

Mr Sunak, however, has the support of current Defra secretary George Eustice and Defra farm minister Victoria Prentis.

“In all the TV debates, he (Rishi) has shown he’s got good judgement and he’s got a real command of the detail on every single front – and that’s why I’m backing him,” Mr Eustice told GB News.

And in a message on Twitter, Ms Prentis praised Mr Sunak’s “energy, decency and pragmatism” which would make him “a true leader on the world stage”.