East Devon MP backs Devon farmers at Westminster meeting

Simon Jupp, the MP for East Devon, has been in Westminster today ahead of this week's Devon County Show and the UK's Farm to Fork Summit.

Mr Jupp welcomed new investments, announced today, which the government say will help support British farmers. It is hoped the measures will strengthen food security and grow the economy. 

The MP, who lives in Sidmouth, also provided feedback from the most recent farmers roundtable in Sidford to the Prime Minister about the need to keep focused on food security, reducing red tape, and improving access to advice and support.

Both the Farm to Fork Summit and the Devon County Show will take place this week at Westpoint, with Mr Jupp attending both events and speaking to farmers, visitors and producers. 

The pledges announced today include putting farmer's interests at the heart of trade policy through a new framework for trade negotiations, committing to protect the UK's high food an welfare standards and prioritising new export opportunities. 

New measures announced by the government today include: 

• Farmers' interests will be put at the heart of trade policy through a new framework for trade negotiations, committing to protect the UK's high food and welfare standards and prioritise new export opportunities. The Prime Minister has written an open letter to farmers today setting out how these new principles will help the industry benefit from the trade opportunities available to us outside the EU.
• Investing £2m to boost our programme of global trade shows and missions, as well as providing £1.6m for the GREAT food and drink campaign.
• Extending funding to promote seafood exports around the world with an extra £1 million between 2025 and 2028 and create a new bespoke £1m programme to help dairy businesses, particularly SMEs, to seize export opportunities, particularly in the Asia pacific region.
• Confirming the government will improve future support for horticulture by replacing the retained EU Fruit and Vegetable Producer Organisation Scheme when it closes in 2026 with an expanded offer as part of new farming payment schemes.
• New reviews into fairness in the horticulture and egg supply chains, in light of the impact of global challenges on these sectors in particular.
• Recognising the unique role and needs of the sector, and listening to the calls from the NFU, FDF and others, the Grocery Code Adjudicator will not be merged with the Competition and Markets Authority, in recognition of its importance in ensuring our food supply chains function.
• Plans to cut the red tape currently holding farmers back from delivering projects on their land to diversify their incomes, such as repurposing farm buildings to use as shops, with a call for evidence later this year.
• Increasing water security by accelerating work on water supply infrastructure, so that farmers can count on steady access to water, including in periods of intense dry weather.

You can read the full list here. 

Simon Jupp, MP for East Devon, said: "The new investment and support for farmers announced today is great news for the agricultural sector. 

"East Devon's farmers work hard around the clock to keep great quality food on our plates, so it's good to see the Prime Minister hosting this important summit today. 

"Our farmers are at the heart of our rural economy, bringing jobs and opportunity to East Devon. I regularly hold farming roundtables across East Devon with local farmers and I always share the feedback with government. 

"East Devon produces some of the best food and drink in the country, and I will continue to work with producers and ministers to support a productive and thriving agricultural sector, which I look forward to seeing in all its glory at the Devon County Show later this week."

Rishi Sunak MP, Prime Minister, said: "I will always back British farmers, and I pay tribute to their hard work and dedication all year round which keeps shelves stocked and food on our tables. 

"Supporting our farmers and food producers must, and always will be, at the heart of our plans to grow the economy and build a more prosperous country. That's why I'm proud to host this summit, and working together, I'm determined to build resilience, strengthen our food security and champion the best of British at home and overseas."