conservativerural action

While the rural business mix is much more diverse than many people might imagine, the farming industry remains vital to the country and to the countryside. Under Labour we have become more reliant on imports of food we can grow ourselves, which represents a waste of potential, creates unnecessary vulnerabilities and adds to the mounting pressure on stretched world markets.

• We will set out separately how the Conservatives will revive the farming industry, not by retreating to the old solutions of intensification and protectionism, but by enabling our farmers to be competitive in a truly open market, while ensuring that the environment is protected.
• We will reduce the burden of regulation and inspection by focussing on outcomes rather than process, thus trusting farmers to get on with the job of producing high quality food.
• We will introduce honest country of origin food labelling to enable farmers to benefit from consumer demand for high quality local produce.
• We will implement a proportionate and enforceable grocery supply code of practice which delivers a good deal to consumers and suppliers.