Standing up for Kent's farmers

Farming is at the heart of rural life in Faversham and Mid Kent - and it’s crucial to our tourism and food and drink industries. But it’s a tough business, so speaking up for farmers is an important part of my job as the MP.

My Aims

  • Support local farmers and businesses in the food and drink sector, boosting growth in this part of the local economy and with it, local jobs.
  • Promote Kentish produce and safeguard Kent’s future as the Garden of England

 

What I'm campaigning for

  • A seasonal agricultural workers scheme
  • Decisions on pesticides and neonicotinoids based on sound science 
  • An agriculture policy that promotes the production and consumption of healthy food

I’m also looking into other concerns raised by local farmers, including restrictions on weights for agricultural trailers (where we have lower weight limits than in the EU), and the idea of a farm infrastructure allowance which would help farmers replace old buildings with more modern, efficient farm buildings and structures

 

Background

Farming is important to Faversham and Mid Kent and makes a significant contribution to our local economy. From our famous fruit farms and large arable farms, sheep on the downs and marshes, to smaller scale dairy herds, hop growers, vineyards and organic producers, agriculture shapes our countryside - and it’s crucial to our tourism and food and drink industries.

Farming is at the heart of rural life but it’s a tough business, so speaking up for Faversham and Mid Kent’s farmers is an important part of my job as the MP.

Local fruit farmers are worried about the Living Wage. Though every farmer I’ve spoken to supports it, some are concerned about the financial impact it will have on their businesses.  Fruit farming is worth over £1 billion to the UK economy and some of the UK’s most successful fruit farms are in Faversham and Mid Kent. It’s a labour intensive sector and wages make up a significant proportion of the costs. Profit margins can be as low as 1%, but fruit farmers will now have to absorb a 12% pay rise for some of their workers. They are hoping supermarkets will be willing to pay more to cover the extra costs, but supermarkets are notorious for driving a hard bargain. At the moment many shoppers are willing to pay more for British fruit, valuing the quality, knowing where it’s come from and British production standards. It’s important this loyalty continues, so that people don’t opt for cheaper imported fruit. I’m backing the NFU’s ‘Buy British’ campaign and keeping up pressure on the Government to help farmers through the introduction of the living wage.

Many farmers rely on the income from the EU’s Basic Payments Scheme (BPS).  The BPS is a system of grants and payments to help farmers with their large overheads and fixed costs.  It is critical that these payments are made on time, otherwise farmers run out of money - but in the past this has not been the case.  I am in regular contact with the Government to make sure they are on track with the the payments. 

One of the most controversial topics I speak to farmers about is the use of pesticides. At the moment farmers are generally not allowed to use a group of pesticides called ‘neonicotinoids’. I’ve received many letters from people worried about the effect of these on bees. Farmers have told me themselves, they have to worry about bees, as their livelihood depends on them fertilising crops.  As much as 90% of crops such as oilseed rape and strawberries are estimated to be fertilised by bees.  However, they feel the current restrictions are based on poor science. The restrictions make it harder for our farmers to compete with growers outside the EU, and also mean they have to use older pesticides which they are concerned are more harmful.  We must make sure we minimise harm from pesticide use, which needs decisions based on sound science.

I want to safeguard Kent’s future as the Garden of England.  This is important for our local economy and for national food security.  This clearly involves the Government taking some action, but we can all help too, by making sure we buy Kentish produce at the shops.

News

Seasonal agriculture workers' pilot scheme launched

A pilot scheme to enable non-EU migrant workers to work on British farms has launched today.

I've been arguing for years that fruit farmers need to know they will be able to hire the workers they need, whatever happens with Brexit. This is a step in the right direction.

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Farmers need fruit pickers

With fields in my Kent constituency currently blanketed in snow—as is the case, I am sure, for pretty much all of us—the pleasures of summer strawberries and autumn fruits seem rather far off, but that is certainly not the case for our fruit and vegetable growers.

Farmers need help recruiting fruit and veg pickers

British fruit is the best in the world, but farmers in my constituency told me there was a real risk of fruit going unpicked next year if they can’t recruit enough seasonal workers.

Forward with fruit farmers

I'm delighted to have been elected as Chair of the new All-Party Parliamentary Group for Fruit and Vegetable Farming. 

Backing British farming - post Brexit

Following the referendum result, farmers need assurances that the Government will continue to provide the support they need after we leave the EU. So I've pledged to back British farming.