Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with the banking sector on support for farmers.

I met representatives from the main high street banks in June this year to discuss the support they are providing to farmers. Officials from Defra have also had regular contact with representatives from the banks.

I intend to meet the banking sector again later this year to discuss, in particular, the support they are providing to those dairy farmers who are experiencing financial difficulties.