Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Graeme Downie and Emma Reynolds

Thursday 4th June 2026 Commons Chamber

[Graeme Downie (Dunfermline and Dollar) (Lab)]

11. When she last met the National Farmers’ Union of Scotland.

[The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Emma Reynolds)]

I met NFU Scotland on 6 May for a constructive discussion about the impact of the middle east conflict on input costs, food security and supply chains, alongside wider farming issues in Scotland. We remain in active, ongoing engagement with the organisation.

[Graeme Downie]

Given that many of the key pressures facing farmers in Scotland, such as food security, input costs and trade policy, are determined on a UK-wide basis, will my right hon. Friend commit to continuing that contact and to regular, structured and direct engagement with NFU Scotland, as well as other devolved unions, to ensure that their expertise and the distinct needs of Scottish agriculture are properly reflected in UK decision making?

--- Later in debate ---

[Emma Reynolds]

I will take no lectures from the right hon. Lady, given that the Conservatives could not even be bothered to spend their own farming budget. We have a record farming budget during this Parliament, and we have protected our farmers in trade deals, whereas they sold them down the river with their trade deals with New Zealand and Australia. We have simplified the SFI, in co-operation with the National Farmers Union, and farmers have welcomed that.

[Graeme Downie (Dunfermline and Dollar) (Lab)]

T2. Farmers in my constituency are concerned about tariff suspensions and the Government’s need to strike a balance between quite rightly reducing costs, and protecting and actively encouraging domestic production capacity. What discussions is the Minister having with Treasury Ministers about the principles and direction of travel of future tariff suspensions to ensure that domestic production is not harmed, but is in fact encouraged?