Growing up in nearby Stourbridge, one of my first memories was visiting our rural countryside, witnessing the incredible hard work and dedication of our local farmers. Farming is a fundamental part of life in Kingswinford and South Staffordshire. Staffordshire has the one of the highest number of farm holdings of any county in England, with farming and agriculture forming nearly 20% of enterprises in Staffordshire. Nationally, the UK food and farming industry provides generates £120 billion for the UK economy each year.
Aside from the statistics, I know from speaking to local residents that our farmers are an immense source of local pride. We know the part that farming plays in our national life, not just putting food on our tables but as part of the rich cultural history of our countryside, and a source of widespread global recognition.
It is often the case however that the voice of farmers is lost in the national conversation, and their livelihoods can be overlooked in pursuit of other interests. Yet recent global events have brought to light the need for food security. We have to be able to rely upon our farmers to provide the food we need. The farming industry is going through a whole host of changes in light of Britain's withdrawal from the EU, with the changes to funding and the shift towards environmental priorities. As prospective Conservative candidate for Kingswinford and South Staffordshire, I am committed to:
Listening to what farmers need most and the challenges they face;
Supporting the achievements of our farmers and by giving them a voice in the national conversation;
Delivering the funding and support that will give our farmers the confidence they need.
Sign up to my newsletter and follow my social media accounts to keep up with more developments on my plan.
