A cross-party group of MPs and peers has urged the government to carry out a review of the UK’s border security measures and to provide a funding agreement for bodies involved in this work, including the Dover Port Health Authority (DPHA).Â
The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for UK Food Security held its annual breakfast reception in Parliament on Tuesday, providing an opportunity for MPs and peers to speak directly with producers from across the egg, pig and poultry sectors.
The APPG for UK Food Security was re-established following the general election last year and is jointly run by the NPA, NFU, British Poultry Council, and British Egg Industry Council to give a specific voice for our sectors in parliament, NPA senior policy Tom Haynes explained.
Over 40 parliamentarians and government representatives attended, with speeches from the group’s chair, Luke Charters MP, and the Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs, Daniel Zeichner.
The APPG used the event to put forward several key recommendations to the government, based largely on food security and border biosecurity:
- Establish a statutory food security index and monitor domestic food production levels annually.
- Publish an annual policy-focused food security report assessing the sector’s short, medium, and long-term viability.
- Convene an annual food summit at No.10 to keep food security high on the political agenda.
- Conduct a comprehensive review of border security measures to safeguard against the illegal importation of high-risk products.
- Provide multi-year funding for enforcement agencies, including the Dover Port Health Authority and the Animal and Plant Health Agency, to ensure preparedness.
Vital role
Speaking about food producers in his constituency of York Outer, Mr Charters highlighted the vital role that farmers play in communities all across the country, something which is key to the fabric of rural Britain, as well as giving a nod to the best bacon sarnie he’d ever eaten during a recent farm visit in his constituency.
He also highlighted the vital importance of biosecurity in food production, especially in the wake of the recent foot and mouth disease case in Germany, and how supporting organisations like APHA is a key part of our nation’s food security, Mr Haynes explained.
Mr Zeichner began addressing the upset that many farmers continue to feel following the budget in the Autumn before then going on to reiterate many of the points made by Defra Secretary Steve Reed at the Oxford Farming Conference last week.
“The NPA team present were encouraged to hear that ministers remain committed to introducing the Fair Dealing Regulations for pigs as soon as possible, as well as their commitments to reform the planning system,” Mr Haynes said.
“The minister said that he is regularly lobbied from organisations that wish to see further obligations placed on farmers but he fundamentally believes that government cannot expect producers to adapt and reform if they do not help unpick the blockers in doing so, particularly those in the planning system.
“Finally, the minister also spoke about the ever-pressing matter of biosecurity and while he acknowledged the importance of the issue, referencing BTV and Avian Influenza, there was, sadly, no mention of ASF or the recent case of FMD in Germany, both of which represent a huge threat to producers in this country and the UK’s food security.”
Other attendees at the event included the Shadow Environment Secretary, Victoria Atkins MP, Shadow EFRA Ministers Robbie Moore MP and Dr Neil Hudson MP, and EFRA Committee members Sarah Dyke MP and Charlie Dewhirst MP.