Defra secretary Steve Reed will today announce a £200m investment in a new National Biosecurity Centre at the UK’s animal health facility at Weybridge to improve the UK’s resilience against animal disease.
Mr Reed is due to address the NFU conference in Westminster today amid the ongoing furore over the government’s inheritance tax reforms that is certain to overshadow over his appearance.
Mr Reed attempt to divert some of the attention from the policy by announcing, or reiterating policies, he says will ‘deliver a profitable farming sector, while reaffirming Government’s cast iron commitment to food production, and unlocking rural growth’.
This includes the announcement about Weybridge, which has long been in urgent need of significant investment to enable it to deliver its key role in protecting the UK against diseases. It remains to be seen, however, whether Mr Reed will offer any hope on a funding agreement with the Dover Port Health Authority to enable checks for illegal meat imports to continue at Dover or on a review to close loopholes in the Border Target Operating Model for commercial imports.
Grants update
Mr Reed will also give an update on the government’s grant funding programme, which was halted a few months ago, pending a review, amid budgetary pressures.
He will announce a ‘£110m investment in technology’ under the Farming Innovation Programme which supports research and development of agri-technology for farmers, including more details on the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund, provides grants of up to £25,000 for farm equipment.
But it remains to be seen whether this funding will be of the same level or on the same terms as was had been initially expected, prior to the review.
Other announcements will include:
- New requirements for government catering contracts to favour high-quality, high-welfare products that local farms and producers are well placed to serve. Defra said the move marks a major leap in achieving the government’s ambition for at least 50% of food supplied into the £5 billion public sector catering contracts to be from British producers or those certified to higher environmental standards.
- Extending the Seasonal Worker visa route for five more years giving farms. Annual quota reviews will ensure we strike the right balance – supporting farms while gradually reducing visa numbers as we develop alternative solutions.
- A further pledge to uphold and protect our high environmental and animal welfare standards in future trade deals.
Mr Reed is expected to say: “The underlying problem is that farmers do not make enough money for the hard work and commitment they put in.
“I will consider my time as Secretary of State a failure if I do not improve profitability for farmers across the country. My focus is on ensuring farming becomes more profitable because that’s how we make your businesses viable for the future. And that’s how we ensure the long-term food security this country needs.”