Gov’t backed UK 'fair trade' brand will support UK farmers

I requested this debate because the past year or so has been particularly difficult for most farms, big and small, in particular, the dairy sector. We must do more to help.

People who live in rural areas can appreciate the contribution farmers make and the vital role they have. They preserve, maintain and protect our countryside and create jobs in farming, food processing, engineering and tourism etc.

Most importantly they feed the nation. Maintaining food security has long been a concern of mine and I believe it is an issue we need to take much more seriously. Conflict around the world affects food security; and population growth leaves more mouths to feed.

It is in our interest that we produce as much food as possible. If we want to ensure that good quality food continues to be available to us at a reasonable price then we must support our farmers.

 For many farmers, the price they are being paid does not cover the cost of production. If this continues we will see farms disappear and less food produced. We need to create an environment where farmers are consistently paid a fair price so that they have confidence to invest in their business, employ the workers they need and produce the food and drink to meet UK demand and beyond.

Security of income will also help when unseasonal weather affects their productivity (which has also added to farmers' woes this winter).

How we achieve this is complex. However, part of the solution is to build on the commitment to our farmers by British consumers. This is needed today as much as at any time in our history.

British consumers are very loyal to our farmers and take an interest in the welfare of the farming sector.

However, what consumers need is absolute confidence that when we shop and buy 'British' we are buying something produced in the UK and that the farmer receives a fair price. The consumer has enjoyed success regarding country of origin. Although new legislation only requires country of origin to be clear on products imported from outside the EU supermarkets have bowed to consumer pressure and their voluntary standard means that for meat, dairy, fruit and veg products the majority of the packaging includes country and often county of origin. However, what is very confusing is whether the farmer gets a fair price. I believe the public is prepared to pay a reasonable price and choose British even if it is more expensive if they have absolute confidence that the producer is paid fairly. This has been proven by Morrison's extra 10p per litre for milk range.

The Government has a responsibility to help create this confidence and this week's debate on food security was intended to highlight the need for clear information to help consumers support British farmers.

I am simply asking for the Government to work with the suppliers and supermarkets to develop a UK 'fair trade' brand that tells consumers this is a British product and the producer has received a fair price. Although some supermarkets already state this on the packaging I do not believe that the consumer understands what they mean by fair price or believes that the supermarkets are concerned about the welfare of their suppliers. A government-backed initiative would create a standard that is more transparent thus creating the confidence consumers need.