Farming

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Central Devon is one of the most rural constituencies in England and Mel has been a strong voice for our farming industry.

He led legislation that introduced up to £100million fines for supermarkets that deal unfairly with our farmers and has worked with Bicton College in East Devon to bring more young people into the agriculture industry through apprenticeships.

Mel regularly meets with farmers across the constituency to listen to and act on their concerns and has brought Government ministers to Central Devon (including then Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Michael Gove who visited Chagford) so ministers can hear first-hand the urgent issues facing Devon's farmers.

During 2020 he has spoken in the House of Commons about ensuring a good Brexit deal for Devon's hill farmers and has lobbied the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs George Eustace over the new system of farming subsidies which will replace EU CAP funding, seeking answers on how the new system will work in practice and the need to avoid bogging farmers down in red tape.

Mel is proud to have the Rural Hub of the Devon Federation of Young Farmers based in his constituency in Cheriton Bishop.

News

Local farmers are not the climate change enemy

I recently attended COP26, which I covered in my local column a couple of weeks ago. It was an extraordinary event and culminated with a historic agreement which will do a lot to reduce global CO2 emissions.

Farmers invited to take first step towards greener future

Devon’s farmers are being encouraged to take part in the pilot of the Sustainable Farming Incentive – the next step in the Government’s landmark plans to reward farmers and land managers for sustainable farming practices.

The future of farming

Last week I wrote about our teachers being among the unsung heroes of the coronavirus pandemic. Today I am writing about another - our farmers.

The Future of British Farming

After the UK leaves the European Union on 31st January we will embark on intensive negotiations around our future relationship. For Central Devon one of the most important issues at stake is the future of British farming. 
 

New Government - Action on Brexit, farming and low pay

Just a few weeks into our new Conservative Government and there have been three important steps forward in delivering Brexit, supporting our farmers and increasing the salaries of our lowest paid workers.
 

FUTURE OF SUSTAINABLE FARMING ON TOP OF AGENDA AS MEL MEETS NFU MEMBERS

Members of the National Farmers Union met with Central Devon MP Mel Stride today in Cheriton Bishop. On the agenda were the Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan and the Agriculture Bill that will determine future UK agriculture policy after the UK leaves the European Union.