Shadow Defra Secretary Victoria Atkins has launched a scathing attack on the Labour Government's agricultural policies, warning they pose a serious threat to the UK's food security.
Speaking on GB News, Atkins expressed deep concern about the impact of several Government measures on British farmers.
She emphasised that food security "is an enormous issue" that affects everyone, not just farming communities.
"We all eat food," Atkins reminded viewers, highlighting the universal importance of sustainable farming practices.
Atkins hit out at Labour's treatment of the farming community, urging them to 'get their act together'
GB News
Atkins specifically criticised what she called the "family farm tax" and enhanced compulsory purchase orders that allow local councils and Natural England to "seize farmland".
She also pointed to broader taxation policies, which she claims are "driving lots of businesses to the ground".
"All of these measures are making what is already a tough industry even tougher and for some just not survivable," Atkins said.
The Shadow Defra Secretary painted a bleak picture for British farmers trying to operate under current government policies.
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PAAtkins reserved her strongest criticism for the Government's handling of the Sustainable Farming Initiative (SFI) scheme.
The Conservative-designed programme was established post-Brexit to support farmers in environmental stewardship alongside food production.
"What's so criminal, and I use that word, is that this Government stopped that scheme later on a Tuesday night without any warning," Atkins said.
Atkins highlighted the impact on farmers who had already begun implementing environmental measures: "Farmers who have already been investing in these environmental measures, they've already been trying to reflect the public will that we look after our countryside whilst we feed ourselves," she said.
Atkins told GB News that Labour's actions towards farmers is 'unforgivable'
GB News
The Shadow Defra Secretary accused the Labour Government of halting progress without consideration.
"Labour has just stopped that dead, and that is unforgivable," Atkins stated.
She concluded: "What's so criminal, and I use that word, is that this Government stopped that scheme later on a Tuesday night without any warning.
"Farmers who have already been investing in these environmental measures, they've already been trying to reflect the public will that we look after our countryside whilst we feed ourselves, Labour has just stopped that dead, and that is unforgivable."
