Political | Posted on September 11th, 2025 | return to news

Poole MP calls for better treatment of British farmers

Vikki Slade, MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole, is calling on the government to stop neglecting Britain’s farmers.

The MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole has called on the UK government to stop neglecting Britain’s farmers and take urgent action to safeguard the future of rural communities.

Liberal Democrat Vikki Slade made the call on Back British Farming Day on Wednesday 10 September. Speaking in the House of Commons, she said: “We need farm security if we want food security, so what steps is the Minister taking to look after farmers on our very smallest farms, who are critical to food production?”

The Liberal Democrats are demanding a full package of support for British agriculture, including scrapping the “Family Farm Tax”, restoring Defra funding for Young Farmers’ Clubs, and introducing mandatory country-of-origin labelling on all beef products, including in large shops and restaurants.

According to the Liberal Democrats, the UK government has signed off on 13,000 tonnes of tariff-free US beef imports, which threatens to undercut British farmers with cheaper and lower-standard products. Meanwhile, ministers axed long-standing Defra funding for the National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs (NFYFC), which has supported over 23,000 young people nationwide for more than 30 years, including seven clubs here in Dorset.

Slade has warned the government that cuts to schemes such as the Sustainable Farming Incentive put the future of local farms at risk just as they face mounting pressures from climate change.

She said: “British farmers put food on our tables and keep our rural economy alive, but this government keeps selling them short.

“From unfair taxes on family farms to slashing Defra support for young farmers, ministers are making it harder for the next generation to survive in agriculture. Dorset’s farmers are innovators and custodians of our countryside, and they deserve proper backing.

“The Liberal Democrats are demanding fairer funding, clear labelling and real support so shoppers can buy British and farmers can thrive. It’s time the government stood up for our farmers. British farmers deserve better.”