West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin has repeated her support for the farming community as the Government rolls out a series of measures to help boost domestic food production.

The Prime Minister this week hosted a summit for farm workers and food producers to hear the challenges they are facing ensuring we can keep home-grown produce on the table.

To protect agricultural land, the Government has also clarified regulations protecting the best agricultural land from being swallowed up by solar farms, reducing the amount of land which can contribute to the national food production.

And the Government has also announced a five-year extension to the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme which will help farmers to access labour to pick their crops, and give many farming and growing businesses the vital certainty needed to boost our national food security.

Dame Harriett said:

“I regularly meet with farmers, horticulturalists and food producers from across West Worcestershire to hear their views and to pass back key requests to Departmental colleagues.

“Farming and rural businesses are vital to our economy and the Prime Minister and the Government have confirmed that with a range of important announcements in recent weeks.

“The seasonal workers scheme remains crucial to local businesses, particularly the fruit producers and I welcome this extension news.

“Food security remains an absolute priority for the Government as does energy security and it is important that we get the right balance between backing farmers, protecting our farming land and ensuring that we are able to produce the right energy to meet demand.

“I have always felt that rooftops and brownfield sites are the best solution for projects like solar farms, ensuring that our best growing land is always available to put local food on our tables.”

Photo: At a Country Landowners’ Association meeting at Woollas Hall Farm, Eckington, (centre left) CLA regional director Sophie Dwerryhouse and (right) Dame Harriett Baldwin MP with local farmers and rural business owners.