Farming and farmers have been badly let down by the Tories, not only in the fragmented and complex ELMS system of rural payments, which is inaccessible to many small farmers, but in the trade deals they have done with other countries which will bring sub standard food into the UK that doesn’t meet our standards of safety and animal welfare. There are also problems recruiting and retaining workers and encouraging young people into farming.

The Labour Party’s full agriculture policy offering is still in development but we will support farmers, countryside workers and those who live in the countryside by improving public transport and working with local Colleges to make farming a more attractive option for young people to consider. We will also ensure there are enough police officers to address rural crime and have committed to 50% of all food purchased by the public sector being food produced locally.

Keir Starmer’s speech to the NFU, Feb 2023: https://www.nfuonline.com/updates-and-information/nfu23-political-address-from-sir-keir-starmer-mp/