Simon Jupp MP at the Cabinet table in Number 10.

Simon Jupp MP backs East Devon’s farmers in Downing Street ahead of the Devon County Show

East Devon’s MP met with the Prime Minister in Downing Street this morning ahead of the UK’s Farm to Fork Summit today and the Devon County Show being held later this week.

Simon Jupp MP welcomed new investment and support for British farmers announced today which will help strengthen food security and grow the economy. He also provided feedback from the most recent farmers roundtable in Sidford directly to the Prime Minister about the need to keep focused on food security, reducing red tape, and improving access to advice & support.

The Farm to Fork Summit is being held in the same week as the Devon County Show at Westpoint. Simon Jupp MP will be attending the event and speaking to farmers, producers, and visitors.

Following the announcements today, farmers will benefit from a commitment to protect their interests in future trade deals, support to boost domestic fruit and vegetable production and new investment in technologies.

The new measures announced today include:

Farmers’ interests will be put at the heart of trade policy through a new framework for trade negotiations, committing to protect the UK’s high food and welfare standards and prioritise new export opportunities. The Prime Minister has written an open letter to farmers today setting out how these new principles will help the industry benefit from the trade opportunities available to us outside the EU.
Investing £2m to boost our programme of global trade shows and missions, as well as providing £1.6m for the GREAT food and drink campaign.
Extending funding to promote seafood exports around the world with an extra £1 million between 2025 and 2028 and create a new bespoke £1m programme to help dairy businesses, particularly SMEs, to seize export opportunities, particularly in the Asia pacific region.
Confirming the government will improve future support for horticulture by replacing the retained EU Fruit and Vegetable Producer Organisation Scheme when it closes in 2026 with an expanded offer as part of new farming payment schemes.
New reviews into fairness in the horticulture and egg supply chains, in light of the impact of global challenges on these sectors in particular.
Recognising the unique role and needs of the sector, and listening to the calls from the NFU, FDF and others, the Grocery Code Adjudicator will not be merged with the Competition and Markets Authority, in recognition of its importance in ensuring our food supply chains function.
Plans to cut the red tape currently holding farmers back from delivering projects on their land to diversify their incomes, such as repurposing farm buildings to use as shops, with a call for evidence later this year.
Increasing water security by accelerating work on water supply infrastructure, so that farmers can count on steady access to water, including in periods of intense dry weather.

A full list of announcements is available here:https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-backs-british-farmers-with-new-package-of-support

Simon Jupp, MP for East Devon, said: “The new investment and support for farmers announced today is great news for the agricultural sector. East Devon’s farmers work hard around the clock to keep great quality food on our plates, so it’s good to see the Prime Minister hosting this important summit today. Our farmers are at the heart of our rural economy, bringing jobs and opportunity to East Devon. I regularly hold farming roundtables across East Devon with local farmers and I always share the feedback with government. East Devon produces some of the best food and drink in the country, and I will continue to work with producers and ministers to support a productive and thriving agricultural sector, which I look forward to seeing in all its glory at the Devon County Show later this week.”

Rishi Sunak MP, Prime Minister, said: “I will always back British farmers, and I pay tribute to their hard work and dedication all year round which keeps shelves stocked and food on our tables. Supporting our farmers and food producers must, and always will be, at the heart of our plans to grow the economy and build a more prosperous country. That’s why I’m proud to host this summit, and working together, I’m determined to build resilience, strengthen our food security and champion the best of British at home and overseas.”

Minette Batters, President of the National Farmers Union, said: “I am absolutely delighted that the Prime Minister has honoured the commitments he made when he addressed our hustings event back in the summer to hold this food summit at Number 10, and we welcome the announcements made today. They show a recognition and an understanding of the strategic importance of British food and farming to the nation. These actions recognise the importance of coordinated action across government to support confidence, investment and growth in British food. We look forward to working with the Prime Minister, the Defra Secretary and the rest of the cabinet to Back British farming and bolster our domestic food security.”