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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, [K Mr Turner, for what I think is the first time in Westminster Hall. I congra [6D [K congratulate the hon. Member for Honiton and Sidmouth on securing this deba [4D [K debate. We know that farming matters to every constituency because it suppo [5D [K supports rural jobs and communities while producing food and underpinning n [1D [K national resilience. I recognise the pressures many farm businesses face [4D [K face due to rising input costs, especially fertiliser which has seen a 40% [K increase in prices for some products. DEFRA is monitoring this impact on su [2D [K supply chains and engaging with stakeholders like the National Farmers' Uni [3D [K Union. We have asked the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board to [K publish price data weekly, providing more timely information. Over 500 f [1D [K farms are using our new nutrient management planning tool, enabling them to [2D [K to reduce their reliance on artificial fertilisers. The Government is also [K consulting on modernising fertiliser product regulations for better future [K supply options and resilience. The SFI needs improvement for upland area [4D [K areas; we are working with Hilary Cottam to find a community-based method o [1D [K of support. We will keep looking into making changes to higher level scheme [6D [K schemes to assist upland farmers and commoners. Red diesel continues to [K benefit from an 80% discount, saving farmers nearly £300 million annually. [K A 5p fuel duty cut is in place until September. We have allocated a reco [4D [K record £11.8 billion to sustainable farming and food production over this P [1D [K Parliament, with overall support averaging £2.3 billion per year through th [2D [K the farming and countryside programme. The Government are improving how [K support is delivered by increasing investment in environmental land managem [7D [K management schemes towards £2 billion by 028-29. We are also modernising ca [2D [K capital grants, which will be open for application from July with £225 mill [4D [K million available, up from last year's allocation. Farming grants worth £12 [3D [K £120 million are available to boost productivity innovation. The Batters [7D [K Batters review has been taken forward with the formation of a Farming and F [1D [K Food Partnership Board that decided horticulture would be the first sector [K for a growth plan. We will continue developing our farming road map, settin [6D [K setting out how farming in England will evolve up to 2050 in response to ch [2D [K changing markets, technologies, and environmental pressures. The Governm [7D [K Government take mental health support for farmers seriously by tripling pre [3D [K 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.