At the end of last month, I had the pleasure of attending the Devon County Show at Westpoint. It remains one of the highlights of the year for me and a wonderful celebration of everything that makes rural Devon unique. From the livestock competitions and heavy horse displays to the outstanding local food and drink on offer, the show showcases the very best of our county.
Walking around the showground, meeting farmers, producers and rural businesses, there was much to admire and much to be proud of. Devon's agricultural sector is one of the great strengths of our local economy.
However, behind the celebration of the show, many of the conversations I had with farmers were marked by real concern about the future.
British agriculture is facing a period of significant uncertainty. Farmers are dealing with rising costs, changing regulations and growing pressure on already tight margins. Unfortunately, a number of recent government decisions have only added to those concerns. The sudden closure of the Sustainable Farming Incentive scheme left many farmers who had made long term plans facing uncertainty almost overnight. At the same time, changes to Agricultural Property Relief created anxiety for family farms that have been passed down through generations.
Alongside these domestic challenges, international events are creating additional pressures. Ongoing instability in the Middle East and disruption to shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz have pushed fertiliser prices sharply higher, increasing costs for arable farmers. At the same time, many livestock farmers have seen prices fall, despite continuing increases in feed, energy and other costs.
What makes this situation particularly frustrating is that food security should be regarded as a central national priority. The ability to produce food at home is not simply an economic issue; it is a matter of resilience and national security. Recent global events have demonstrated how quickly supply chains can be disrupted and how important it is to maintain a strong domestic farming sector.
The Devon County Show served as a reminder of what is at stake. The farmers exhibiting livestock, the producers showcasing local goods and the families who work the land are not simply participants in a county show. They are the backbone of our rural economy, the custodians of our countryside and the people who help put food on our tables every day. They deserve policies that provide certainty, encourage investment and recognise the vital contribution they make to our county and our country.
