The Labour party has promised to enhance food stability and enhance the UK’s farming industry through a “fresh agreement for farmers”, which includes a goal of using at least half domestically produced food in hospitals, schools, and prisons.
The party has criticized the Conservatives for neglecting farmers, and the plan also states that Labour intends to pursue a new veterinary agreement with the EU.
If implemented, this would greatly reduce bureaucratic hurdles for British farmers by eliminating numerous inspections of food and agricultural products at ports. However, the process of reaching an accord would require lengthy and intricate discussions, and could potentially result in the UK adhering to EU standards for said goods.
The Labour party criticized the Conservative party for harming the rural economy and presented evidence that over 6,300 companies in the British agricultural industry have closed down since 2017, with nearly 5,000 of those being meat, fruit, vegetable, and dairy producers.
During the same time frame, the party noted a 30% decrease in the amount of employment opportunities in agriculture, forestry, and fishing.
Although Brexit and its execution have been criticized by many industries for damaging their ability to compete, the Labour Party’s proposal does not directly acknowledge the UK’s departure from the EU. Instead, it only promises to negotiate a veterinary agreement. Nevertheless, the party acknowledges that the barriers caused by Brexit have played a role in this issue.
The plan for farming includes five elements, all of which have previously been suggested by Labour. In addition to the goal of promoting British food in public institutions and securing a deal with the EU, the remaining elements involve providing farmers with affordable energy through GB Energy, a publicly owned company focused on clean power; assisting farmers in contributing their excess renewable energy to the grid; and establishing a taskforce for flood resilience.
Steve Reed, the shadow environment, food and rural affairs secretary, said: “This Conservative government has wrecked our farmers. It is time we turned the page and embraced a decade of national renewal with the countryside at its heart.
“Labour plans to restore the future of British farmers, providing them with lower energy costs through the implementation of GB Energy. We will also reduce bureaucratic barriers at the borders in order to boost the export of our high-quality food products. Additionally, the government’s purchasing power will be utilized to support and promote British produce.”
The minister of state for food, farming, and fisheries, Mark Spencer, stated that the Labour party is unable to support British farming. During their time in government, they did not prioritize providing the necessary resources and support for rural communities, and even after several years, they still lack a plan to aid the countryside.
“In the meantime, the Conservative party has provided more precise funding for farmers, safeguarding our top-quality agricultural land and expediting access to grid connections for those in greatest need.”
Source: theguardian.com
