East Riding Liberal Democrats back 'Farm First' to Save Local Food and Farmers.

The East Riding Liberal Democrats warmly welcome the party's ambitious new 'Farm First' plan, a major strategy that directly addresses the pressing issues facing our local agricultural community and the nation's food supply.

​As a crucial farming heartland, the East Riding of Yorkshire knows better than anyone the vital role our farmers play. Agricultural land covers 81% of the East Riding, and according to local Councillor Jeremy Wilcock, "Our farmers are struggling : typically they earn less than the minimum wage." Yet, the current Government's chronic neglect, botched trade deals, and failure to attract young talent are pushing our producers to the brink. This Liberal Democrat plan offers the genuine, practical solutions our region desperately needs to secure its farming future.

​"Supermarkets refuse to pay fair prices, the weather is increasingly unpredictable and extreme, the cost of feed, fuel and fertiliser has been hit by inflation, and the EU subsidies which accounted for 55% of farmers' incomes have been lost due to the folly of Brexit," notes Cllr Wilcock. This difficult situation, he continues, "has now been compounded by the Government's inheritance tax. Already I have seen more For Sale signs in the local agricultural landscape than I can ever remember."

​Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Tim Farron MP, unveiled the strategy, which focuses on attracting the next generation of farmers, improving nutrition, and empowering our producers to thrive sustainably.

​Key components of the plan that will directly benefit East Riding farmers include:

​* A £1 Billion Boost to the Farming Budget: We are committed to increasing the farming budget by £1bn to properly support sustainable, domestic food production—the kind of long-term investment that our local farmers deserve.

​* Fixing the Brexit Mess: "Lib Dems say Scrap the Inheritance Tax and Re-engage with the European Union to recover some of the damage caused by Brexit," states Cllr Wilcock. We will push to fix the Government’s disastrous trade deals and negotiate a robust Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement. This is essential to uphold the high British standards our local producers maintain, drastically cut the costly red tape harming East Riding businesses, and help bring down rising food prices.

​* Introducing 'Farm First': A parallel to the 'Teach First' programme, this scheme is vital to inject young talent and energy into our agricultural sector, tackling the alarming "rural brain drain" that threatens to create a "lost generation of farmers" in the East Riding. Cllr Wilcock highlights the commitment, saying: "We would also introduce a Farm First scheme to fund two-year placements for 1000 agricultural trainees. In the Beverley Rural ward we have the highly acclaimed Bishop Burton College which could rise to the challenge admirably."

​* The New FIELD Fund: This 'Farming, Innovation, Exchange, Learning and Development' fund will reward East Riding farmers who share knowledge, training, and skills, helping to build strong, resilient local farm networks.

​Tackling the Crisis of the 'Lost Generation'

​The statistics are clear and alarming. As Cllr Wilcock points out: "40% of farmers are aged over 65 and only 15% are under 45. This rural brain drain is alarming."

​In a poll of 500 members of the CLA [presented to the East Riding Rural Partnership on 12th June], "98% stated that Labour does not understand or respect rural communities," according to Cllr Wilcock. He adds that the CLA expects that as a result of the inheritance tax changes, "20,000 jobs could be lost during this Parliament, with a net fiscal loss of £ 1.9 billion and total lost business activity of £ 14.9 billion. Already 17% of family farms have cut jobs or paused recruitment."

​In the East Riding, this trend threatens the succession of family farms and the very fabric of our rural economy.

​As Tim Farron MP stated, "By ignoring this impending crisis and rural brain drain, [the Government is] severing the lifeline of our domestic food supply. Britain is not secure unless its food supply is secure.”

​The Liberal Democrats insist that the Government must fundamentally change its political approach, recognising farming as the vital lifeline it is. Encouraging young people into the sector through dedicated education and training, such as the Farm First scheme, must be an absolute top priority for any responsible government.

​Combating Local Food Poverty

​It is an utter scandal that while the East Riding is a hub for food production, local families are struggling, with one in five children across the country living in food poverty.

​"Only 60% of the food we eat is produced here. We must halt the decline,"stresses Cllr Wilcock. "Training graduates for careers in farming would be an innovative and imaginative start."

​This plan stresses that tackling this widespread poverty and ensuring long-term food security go hand-in-hand. By instilling an understanding of how food is produced from a young age, making better use of locally grown East Riding produce, and investing in agricultural training, we can support the next generation and address this crisis.

​As Tim Farron MP rightly put it, "It is utterly shameful that one in five children are living in food poverty, and our farming communities are being pushed to the brink of extinction."

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​A New Cultural Shift

​This Liberal Democrat strategy represents a "fundamental cultural shift in our attitude towards farming"—a shift that places our food producers at its heart. It’s based on the input of experts and aims to support our farmers in producing nutritious food while simultaneously caring for the environment we all share.

​The East Riding Liberal Democrats are wholeheartedly backing this 'Farm First' scheme to treat food security with the seriousness it deserves, finally giving young people in our area the training and incentive they need to choose farming and secure our local food supply for generations to come.

​The full Liberal Democrat food security paper can be accessed online at https://www.libdems.org.uk/food-security-paper