Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Agricultural Industries: Funding

Thursday 19 March 2026 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Key points

  • Christine Jardine inquired about increasing funding for agricultural industries due to rising input costs affecting farm businesses.
  • Rising costs, particularly for fertiliser, have impacted the resilience and productivity of the agricultural sector.
  • Jardine highlighted agricultural businesses and agritourism ventures in her constituency, Edinburgh West, noting unclear funding availability.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Christine Jardine Lib Dem Edinburgh West
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The MP noted rising input costs, particularly for fertiliser, affecting many farm businesses across the constituency. She referenced global cost volatility and its impact on farm productivity and sector resilience.

Question

Whether she plans to increase the level of funding available to agricultural industries. Rising input costs, including for fertiliser, have contributed to pressure on many farm businesses in recent years. We continually assess how global cost volatility affects farm productivity and the resilience of the sector.

Answer from Angela Eagle

Rising input costs, including for fertiliser, have contributed to pressure on many farm businesses in recent years. We continually assess how global cost volatility affects farm productivity and the resilience of the sector.

Not addressed: The specific ask about increasing funding was not addressed

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Q2 Christine Jardine Lib Dem Edinburgh West
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The MP noted several critical agricultural businesses in her constituency, including the Royal Highland Centre in Ingliston and agritourism ventures. She highlighted issues with accessing and aligning available funds for business diversification.

Question

Edinburgh West may not seem like the most rural constituency, but we have several critical agricultural businesses in the seat, including the Royal Highland Centre in Ingliston and a number of businesses that are diversifying into agritourism. There is funding available, but it is often unclear how to get it or how to align it for, say, the conversion of buildings. Can the Minister commit to making it clearer how agricultural businesses that want to diversify can access the funding?

Answer from Angela Eagle

I would love to—if the hon. Lady's constituency was in England. Agriculture is a devolved matter, and she must therefore ask the Scottish Government.

Not addressed: The specific ask about clarifying access to diversification funds was not addressed

How: Agriculture Is A Devolved Matter

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