Carla Lockhart: New PM must restore confidence across the UK’s farming industry

The new prime minister has a chance to wipe the slate clean, build trust and right the wrongs of his predecessor. If this Labour government is serious about rebuilding the economy, supporting working families and strengthening the United Kingdom, then agriculture must be at the heart of that plan.

Safeguarding our agricultural industry is not optional. It is essential for our economy, our rural communities and the long-term sustainability of the UK's food security.

British farmers produce world-class food to the highest environmental and animal welfare standards, and deserve a government that backs them, not one that continually places endless bureaucratic burdens in their way.

One of the government's first priorities should be restoring confidence across the farming sector. The Family Farm Tax has caused enormous distress and uncertainty for farming families who have spent generations building viable businesses. The ‘death tax’ reforms, implemented at the start of April, must be immediately reversed, or significantly watered-down, to protect family farms and secure the future of British agriculture.

The government must also finally address the barriers created by the Northern Ireland Protocol and Windsor Framework. Trade within the UK should never be subject to unnecessary bureaucracy.

Restoring unfettered internal trade and strengthening Northern Ireland's place within the Union must be a priority. I look forward to engaging with Sir Chris Bryant, the new secretary of state for Northern Ireland on this matter.

Food security is national security. Defence and energy receive significant government attention, and rightly so, but food production deserves exactly the same level of strategic importance. We cannot continue relying on overseas imports while our own producers are operating under increasingly difficult circumstances.

Farmers need practical and meaningful support, not endless regulation. That means planning reform to encourage investment, proportionate regulation that supports innovation, improved access to labour across the agri-food and horticulture sectors and policies that allow businesses to grow with confidence.

The government must also maintain momentum within DEFRA following another reshuffle – the second in five weeks. Dame Angela Eagle spent nine months in the role as DEFRA minister, and after a short term as security minister, has been appointed to secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs.

Only weeks ago I expressed concern about yet another change in leadership at DEFRA. I am pleased to see Dame Angela Eagle back at the helm. She is familiar with the complex portfolio, and will be able to hit the ground running,

However, a substantial in-tray of unresolved agricultural issues remains, from illegal meat imports and strengthening our biosecurity to tackling labour shortages, reducing regulatory burdens and addressing the ongoing trading difficulties created by the Windsor Framework.

I had a constructive meeting with Dame Angela Eagle in March, but I have already requested an urgent meeting with the new DEFRA team because Northern Ireland's unique agricultural and trading challenges cannot continue to be overlooked.

Wider economic priorities must also include protecting pensioners, supporting small businesses, honouring promises not to increase taxes on working families, ensuring children with additional needs are properly supported and delivering a balanced energy policy that strengthens UK energy security.

The Labour government has spoken about giving families and businesses breathing space. Farmers need that breathing space too. They need certainty, confidence and a government that understands the vital role agriculture plays in feeding our nation, sustaining rural communities and driving economic growth.

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l Carla Lockhart is the DUP MP for Upper Bann and the party’s spokesperson for agriculture, environment, food and rural affairs