I have called for a national food security target to be set after meeting with local farmers. I recently met with farmers and representatives of the NFU at Maydensole Farm near Dover.
While touring the farm we discussed a range of farming matters including food security and the impact of new rules about nitrates on organic farming methods.
It’s clear to me that we urgently need to have national food security targets alongside environmental ones. The Dover area is home to a number of successful and efficient working farms. They make a strong contribution to our food security – growing food crops as well as protecting our countryside environment.
We need to have smarter regulations as well – we mustn’t have a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach that could harm our local farming economy. I will be discussing this further with the farming Ministers.