Sunak sets out new support for farmers in bid to strengthen food security

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has set out a package of support for farmers, which included a commitment to protect their interests in future trade deals, support to boost domestic fruit and veg production and new investment in technologies.

The announcement came ahead of the UK Farm to Fork Summit, hosted at Downing Street today (16 May), with representatives from the whole food supply chain coming together to identify ways to boost growth, drive innovation and improve sustainability.

Ahead of the Summit, government confirmed a range of measures to help strengthen the long-term resilience and sustainability of the sector and provide greater stability for farmers following a difficult period caused by global challenges, including the illegal invasion of Ukraine which has contributed to rising costs.

To give further certainty to the sector, government also announced that 45,000 visas will be available again to the horticulture sector next year, enabling them to plan ahead for the picking season.

“I will always back British farmers, and I pay tribute to their hard work and dedication all year round which keeps shelves stocked and food on our tables,” Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said.

“Supporting our farmers and food producers must, and always will be, at the heart of our plans to grow the economy and build a more prosperous country. That’s why I’m proud to host this summit, and working together, I’m determined to build resilience, strengthen our food security and champion the best of British at home and overseas.”

The Summit is being attended by  senior representatives in the UK’s farming, horticulture and agri-food sectors. The event will look at how government and industry can work together to increase investment, innovation and sustainability and support the long-term resilience at every stage of the food system, from farming to manufacturing, distribution and retail.

It also features a showcase of great British food and drink businesses and innovators.

“I am delighted that today we have embarked on our next step to back British farmers and ensure a thriving food and drink sector which will see more British produce on supermarket shelves and plates both in the UK and across the globe. I look forward to working together, right across the food supply chain, to boost growth, innovation and sustainability,” Food and Farming Secretary Thérèse Coffey said.

The package of measures announced ahead of the summit includes:

• Putting farmers’ interests at the heart of trade policy through a new framework for trade negotiations, committing to protect the UK’s high food and welfare standards and prioritise new export opportunities.
• Investing £2m to boost the programme of global trade shows and missions, as well as providing £1.6m for the GREAT food and drink campaign.
• Building on our existing overseas network with five additional agri-food and drink attaches who will spearhead the removal of restrictive market barriers
• Extending funding to promote seafood exports around the world with an extra £1 million between 2025 and 2028, and create a new bespoke £1m programme to help dairy businesses, particularly SMEs, to seize export opportunities, particularly in the Asia pacific region.

Commenting, NFU president Minette Batters said: “I am absolutely delighted that the Prime Minister has honoured the commitments he made when he addressed our hustings event back in the summer to hold this food summit at Number 10, and we welcome the announcements made today.

“They show a recognition and an understanding of the strategic importance of British food and farming to the nation.”

Kate Nicholls, UKHospitality chief executive, added: “It’s fantastic that the prime minister is convening the breadth of the food supply chain, from farm to fork, at his summit today and showcasing our superb hospitality offering here in the UK to highlight iconic produce and brands.

“Hospitality in the UK is recognised as one of the finest in the world and is frequently the launchpad to propel British products and brands to markets abroad. Further investment into the GREAT campaign is welcome news and, in addition to boosting exports, will help to promote the UK as a tourist destination and boost our hospitality venues.”

The government will unlock the benefits of innovative technologies to strengthen the food security through up to £30 million of investment to drive forward the use of precision breeding technologies, building on the £8 million already invested over the last five years and the passing of the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act earlier this year. It will also create a new working group – bringing together plant breeders, food manufacturers and retailers – to get produce from farms to the shelves.

The government also announced measures to ensure farmers get a fair price for their produce, including additional reviews into fairness in the horticulture and egg supply chains, in addition to the interventions already made in the pork and dairy markets to improve transparency and contracts.

It also revealed that the Grocery Code Adjudicator will not be merged with the Competition and Markets Authority, responding to the calls made the trade bodies.

Specific measures to support the £5 billion horticulture sector and plans to cut the red tape currently holding farmers back from delivering projects on their land to diversify their incomes are part of the support package.