North Devon MP says farmers ‘deserve better’ and not more cuts

North Devon Ian Roome has called on the Government to stop neglecting Britain’s farmers and take urgent action to safeguard the future of rural communities.

He was speaking yesterday (Wednesday, September 10) on the NFU’s Back British Farming Day, joining fellow Liberal Democrat MPs to call on the Government to step up for farmers.

The party is demanding a full package of support including scrapping what it says is the unfair Family Farm Tax, restoring Defra funding for Young Farmers’ Clubs and introducing mandatory country-of-origin labelling on all beef products, including in large shops and large restaurants.

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This follows a government deal on 13,000 tonnes of tariff-free US beef imports with President Donald Trump, which the Liberal Democrats say threatens to undercut British producers with cheaper and lower-standard beef imports.

At the same time, the Government has axed long-standing Defra funding for the National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs (NFYFC), which has supported more than 23,000 young people for more than 30 years.

Ian Roome said: “I have spoken to farmers all across North Devon about the pressures they are under. The Government’s treatment of our farmers seems increasingly careless, if not, deliberate, with unfair taxes on family farms to now slashing Defra support for young farmers.

“Our farmers in North Devon put food on our tables, keep our rural economy alive and are our key allies in tackling climate change. But this Government is making it harder and harder for the next generation to survive in agriculture.

“The Liberal Democrats are demanding proper backing, fairer funding and clear labelling so shoppers can support British produce. It’s time to stop neglecting our farmers and start standing up for them. British farmers deserve better.”

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