Sunak urges Starmer to legally guarantee national food security target

The pair spoke about farming matters during their weekly clash at Prime Minister’s Questions.

Conservative party leader Rishi Sunak speaking during Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons, London (House of Commons/PA) (PA Wire)

Rishi Sunak has urged the Prime Minister to legally guarantee a national food security target and rule out imposing “top-down eco targets” on English farmers.

Outgoing Conservative leader Mr Sunak pressed his successor, Sir Keir Starmer, on the new Government’s approach during the pair’s exchanges at Prime Minister’s Questions.

Mr Sunak told the Commons: “Today is Back British Farming Day, where we recognise that British farmers produce food that is higher quality, has higher welfare standards and higher environmental standards than imported food, and at a time of increasing global volatility, they are also crucial for our food security and national security.

We continue to talk to the NFU, we do take food security, very, very seriously

Sir Keir Starmer

“Can (the Prime Minister) confirm, therefore, whether he will be adopting the NFU’s (National Farmers’ Union) recent proposal to enshrine a national food security target in law?”

Prime Minister Sir Keir replied: “Food security is really important.

“I’m glad he’s raised that, we have talked to the NFU about this, and rural issues are really important, and that’s what we fought the election on, and why we’ve got a lot of rural constituencies sitting behind me now.

“We continue to talk to the NFU, we do take food security, very, very seriously.”

Mr Sunak said he was “not sure” he heard a specific answer from Sir Keir, before he then turned his attention to the work of farmers to preserve the countryside.

Mr Sunak said: “When it comes to land use, there are currently protections in place to ensure that the most productive farmland is used for food production rather than alternatives like solar.

“So does he agree with me that it is not appropriate or right that developers with a vested interest grade the quality of that farmland themselves, and will he look at making that process independent?”

Can he reassure English farmers that he won't threaten their livelihoods and can he rule out imposing those same top-down targets here?

Rishi Sunak

Sir Keir said rural communities were “neglected” under the Conservatives, adding: “Of course we will work with them, of course we will get the balance right, but we are again picking up, clearing up the mess and rebuilding our country.”

Mr Sunak pointed to the Labour-run Welsh Government’s proposed Sustainable Farming Scheme, which includes requiring farmers to set aside 10% of their land for trees and a further 10% for wildlife habitat.

Mr Sunak said the Welsh Government was pursuing “top-down eco targets,”, adding: “Labour’s own assessment of those plans said that it would lead to thousands of job losses, less food security and destroy rural incomes, while farmers described it as bleak and damaging.

“So can he reassure English farmers that he won’t threaten their livelihoods and can he rule out imposing those same top-down targets here?”

Sir Keir said the UK Government will “work with farmers across the whole of the United Kingdom”.