Lib Dems launch rescue plan for farmers .

Tim Farron speaking to the National Farmers’ Union today set out a rescue package for Britain’s farmers who have essentially been done over by the Government in so many ways. Whether it’s post-Brexit payments, unworkable rules on workers visas or trade deals that put our own farmers at a disadvantage, the party is announcing its solution, which includes an extra £1 billion for farmers.

Tim said:

"British farmers need to be rescued from years of Conservative neglect and failed rural policies, which have left our countryside in dire need of help. For too long Conservative MPs have taken farmers for granted. Conservative Ministers are shamelessly attempting to rewrite history ahead of the General Election.

Farmers are increasingly turning to the Liberal Democrats to send this Conservative government a message.

Farmers do not only put food on our tables, but crucially, act as the custodians of our environment. Yet Ministers have failed spectacularly to roll out new payment programmes, and signed botched overseas trade deals which have undercut environmental standards.

Enough is enough. It is time for change and the British countryside won’t be ignored any longer by this out of touch Conservative government."

Lib Dems would:

1. Raise the farming budget by £1bn

An immediate injection of £1 billion into agricultural and horticultural budgets, taking them from £2.4bn to £3.4bn, to further support sustainable domestic food production, initially targeted at shortage areas. The funds would go towards productivity improvements, training and technology to bring down prices for the long-term and make the UK more resilient against import shocks, and would support farmers committed to a more sustainable environmentally-friendly direction for farming.

2. Fix workforce shortages for farmers, fishers and food processing

Let farmers, fishers and the food processing sector recruit the workers they need to boost our food supply by scrapping arbitrary visa salary thresholds. According to the NFU, a shortage of workers caused £60m worth of fruit and veg to go to waste in the first half of 2022. The union also said they need an additional 70,000 workers, when the Government’s ‘Seasonal Worker Visa’ only offers 45,000 positions. Meanwhile those working on fishing boats must apply for a skilled worker visa

3. Fix botched trade deals

The Liberal Democrats call for the reopening of the Australian trade deal to ensure that British standards are not undercut and require Australia to meet climate change commitments.

Introduce legislation to guarantee British standards of environmental protection and animal welfare in trade deals and giving Parliament the powers to approve negotiating mandates and give final approval of trade agreements.