September 15th is Back British Farming Day, celebrating food production and the contribution made by farmers in caring for rural landscapes and safeguarding the natural environment.
Anthony spoke on behalf of the farmers of Totnes and South Devon in a debate on the future of domestic agriculture, discussing the difficulties faced by the farming communities as well as the opportunities available:
- The ELM scheme and the need for greater cooperation with the farming community.
- The new rules on water and the difficulties these will impose on farmers across the country. Anthony will be writing to the EFRA committee to request that they enquire further into this issue.
- As Regenerative Agriculture Champion for the Conservative Environment Network, Anthony believes there are opportunities to reduce costs and increase productivity while protecting the environment.
- There needs to be greater cooperation between the EFRA committee and the International Trade Select Committee, of which Anthony is a member, so that deals can be reviewed together.
- We must teach about farming in our schools, including seasonal variety and how we farm the land.
