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Agriculture: Government Support

29 April 2026

Lead MP

Richard Foord
Honiton and Sidmouth
Lib Dem

Responding Minister

Angela Eagle

Tags

NHSTaxationBusiness & TradeAgriculture & Rural AffairsMental Health
Word Count: 4444
Other Contributors: 8

At a Glance

Richard Foord raised concerns about agriculture: government support in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

How the Debate Unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:

Government Response

Angela Eagle
Government Response
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Turner, for what I think is the first time in Westminster Hall. I congratulate the hon. Member for Honiton and Sidmouth on securing this debate. We know that farming matters to every constituency because it supports rural jobs and communities while producing food and underpinning national resilience. I recognise the pressures many farm businesses face due to rising input costs, especially fertiliser which has seen a 40% increase in prices for some products. DEFRA is monitoring this impact on supply chains and engaging with stakeholders like the National Farmers' Union. We have asked the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board to publish price data weekly, providing more timely information. Over 500 farms are using our new nutrient management planning tool, enabling them to reduce their reliance on artificial fertilisers. The Government is also consulting on modernising fertiliser product regulations for better future supply options and resilience. The SFI needs improvement for upland areas; we are working with Hilary Cottam to find a community-based method of support. We will keep looking into making changes to higher level schemes to assist upland farmers and commoners. Red diesel continues to benefit from an 80% discount, saving farmers nearly £300 million annually. A 5p fuel duty cut is in place until September. We have allocated a record £11.8 billion to sustainable farming and food production over this Parliament, with overall support averaging £2.3 billion per year through the farming and countryside programme. The Government are improving how support is delivered by increasing investment in environmental land management schemes towards £2 billion by 028-29. We are also modernising capital grants, which will be open for application from July with £225 million available, up from last year's allocation. Farming grants worth £12 £120 million are available to boost productivity innovation. The Batters review has been taken forward with the formation of a Farming and Food Partnership Board that decided horticulture would be the first sector for a growth plan. We will continue developing our farming road map, setting out how farming in England will evolve up to 2050 in response to changing markets, technologies, and environmental pressures. The Government take mental health support for farmers seriously by tripling previous funding to £1.5 million over three years.
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About Westminster Hall Debates

Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.