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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:
Adam Dance
Lib Dem
Yeovil
Urges the Government to address rural crime and equi [4D [K equipment theft, which costs farmers significant sums of money. On support, will the Minister look into what she and [3D [K and colleagues can do to give support and confidence to farmers so that the [3D [K they can support passionate young people with special educational needs and [3D [K and disabilities, like Jack, into farming?
Caroline Voaden
Lib Dem
South Devon
Concerned about delays in the Sustainable Farming In [2D [K Incentive programme and lack of clarity on future funding for various envir [5D [K environmental schemes, urging for greater transparency and improved efficie [7D [K efficiency in payments. I just wanted to make a brief intervention on the is [2D [K issue of entry into farming. Devon county council has several farms and it [K is very keen to use them as a way to get young people into farming, especia [7D [K especially those who do not have a family farm of their own.
Danny Chambers
Lib Dem
Winchester
Raises concerns over lengthy planning processes impa [4D [K impacting farmers' business decisions, noting a wait time of more than 18 m [1D [K months for new slurry lagoon or barn repurposing applications.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Calls for an increased, ringfenced, multi-annual far [3D [K farm support budget that is fully inflation-proof to help farmers meet worl [4D [K world-leading animal welfare standards.
Peter Prinsley
Lab
Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket
Expresses concern over the mental health of farmers, [8D [K farmers, noting one suicide per week among UK farmers, urging for greater s [1D [K support for their well-being.
Sarah Gibson
Lib Dem
Chippenham
Farmers in Chippenham are disappointed with Governme [8D [K Government support, citing an underspend of millions and statistics showing [7D [K showing between 17% to 29% of farming families not turning a profit. On the subject of getting young people into farming, [8D [K farming, my local agricultural college tells me that when it tries to send [K students to help on farms, the farmers find it extremely difficult to find [K a use for them because getting a licence to drive high-level agricultural e [1D [K equipment is so expensive.
Tim Farron
Lib Dem
Westmorland and Lonsdale
Highlights that 4,000 farmers in England who farm on [2D [K on common land are unable to get funding due to the Rural Payments Agency s [1D [K software issues, suggesting a change in approach is needed. I want to press the Minister on the common land issu [4D [K issue. She will be aware that the transition has made it very difficult for [3D [K for commoners to bid for funds, so I understand the problem.
Wendy Chamberlain
Lib Dem
North East Fife
Highlights the need for the Government to respond mo [2D [K more quickly on issues such as fertiliser costs due to the cost of producin [8D [K producing food crisis and the overall cost of living crisis. The Minister talks about profitability, but there is [2D [K is no doubt that the Government's failed family farm tax has had a huge imp [3D [K impact. She also talks about building resilience for the future with scheme [6D [K schemes, but does she accept that we need next generation schemes to attrac [6D [K attract young people into the industry?
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.