Steve Reed under fire for visiting just four farms since July

Defra secretary Steve Reed, dubbed “City Steve” by the Conservatives due to his background in urban politics, has come under fire after it was revealed that he has visited just four farms since his appointment in July 2024.

According to a response to a parliamentary question by Charlie Dewhirst, Conservative MP for Bridlington and the Wolds, Mr Reed has made farm visits on five occasions in total – the Great Yorkshire Agriculture Show on 10 July last year, and visits to farms in Essex, Oxford, Gloucestershire, and Herefordshire in September 2024, January 2025 and March 2025.

Lack of face-to-face

Mr Reed, the MP for Croydon North, has attended several farming conferences and held multiple meetings with organisations such as the NFU, Country Land and Business Association (CLA) and other farming representatives.

However, many farmers believe face-to-face engagement with working farms is essential for understanding the sector’s needs.

Mr Dewhirst said: “Steve Reed is failing British farmers.

“Visiting just four farms in eight months shows his complete lack of interest in the hard-working people who feed our nation.

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“This Labour government’s neglect of the countryside is no longer surprising, but this level of disengagement is shocking – even by their standards.

“If Mr Reed wants to understand the impact of his policies, he must spend time with the people they affect first-hand.”

Farmer frustration

Farmers have expressed frustration with the minimal engagement from a government minister who holds responsibility for the future of British agriculture.

Critics argue that Mr Reed’s infrequent farm visits reflect a disconnect from the challenges faced by the sector, particularly in light of the ongoing post-Brexit agricultural transition and economic pressures on farmers.

James Wright, a beef and sheep farmer based on Exmoor and policy director of the Conservative Rural Forum, said: “Steve Reed probably visits the Commons bar more in a week than he’s visited farms in the last eight months.

“His lack of interest in farming sums up the contempt Labour have for the countryside and the people who live and work in it.”

Another farming representative said: “Farmers are rightly questioning whether Steve Reed truly understands the struggles they face.

“With just four farm visits in eight months, it’s hard to see how he can effectively champion the industry.”

Defra hits back

A Defra spokesperson said: “The secretary of state has championed British farming and rural communities from the moment he took office – speaking with farmers and holding regular meetings with organisations such as the NFU, CLA and Tenant Farmers Association.

“Against the challenges of the £22bn hole in the public finances, we are investing £5bn for farming over the next two years – the largest ever directed at sustainable food production in our country’s history.”