Kit hears concerns from local farmers after challenging summer

Kit Malthouse MP has met local farmers to hear first hand about the challenges facing local agriculture following a difficult summer.

He visited the host Charles Church Partnership in Micheldever alongside the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) and a group from across NW Hants. 

The meeting covered the impact of rural crime, the recent hot weather on farming businesses as well as rising costs and national policies affecting the sector. 

Farmers raised concerns about proposed new arrangements with the EU which could change the rules they have to follow, particularly around crop protection and new technologies, and stressed they need enough time to adapt. 

Farmers also raised concerns about a new carbon tax on imported fertiliser, which they fear could push up prices and add further pressure to already rising costs. 

Speaking afterwards, Kit said: 

"It was good to meet local farmers and hear firsthand about the latest pressures they are facing. 

"It’s been a particularly challenging year, with the hot summer adding to rising costs and all the uncertainty farmers have to deal with. 

 "Farming is a tough business at the best of times, and government policy shouldn’t make it tougher. 

"Whether it’s rising fertiliser costs, unfair competition from overseas, or the detail of a proposed EU deal around crop protection, ministers need to listen to farmers so they can keep producing the food we all rely on. 

‘And I’ll keep hammering this home in Parliament on behalf of North West Hampshire farmers."

According to NFU estimates, people in North West Hampshire consumer some 12 million eggs, 10.0 litres of milk and 603 tonnes of beef each year. 

 ENDS