Shadow DEFRA Secretary Outlines Priorities at Darlington Auction Mart Meeting
TFA National Chair, Robert Martin, joined farmers and industry stakeholders at Darlington Auction Mart on Thursday 05 March to hear from Victoria Atkin MP, Shadow Secretary of State for DEFRA, as she set out the Conservative Party’s latest food and farming commitments.
Atkin announced a new policy focused on taking pride in UK food and strengthening food labelling. She also confirmed that, if returned to government, the party would review the operation of 34 arm’s length bodies, including the Environment Agency, and highlighted ongoing work on family farm taxation.
During the session, Robert raised issues including illegal meat imports into the UK, potential inheritance tax exemptions for landlords letting land on long term agreements and concerns about tenants receiving notices to quit due to solar development.
The meeting attracted a strong audience, with further questions from the floor on upland de-stocking, the spread of Molinia grasses and a rise in tick bites among upland walkers.
