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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact on UK agricultural innovation and environmental protection of the closure of the Silsoe Spray Applications Unit.

The Government recognises the role that Silsoe Spray Applications Unit (SSAU) has played in supporting precision agriculture and innovation to the UK’s agri-food sector. Whilst the closure of SSAU reduces capability in the UK, alternative facilities with comparable infrastructure are available internationally to the UK pesticides sector.

The Government’s Modern Industrial Strategy commits over £200 million to the Farming Innovation Programme (FIP) up to 2030, with over £180m so far awarded to projects to support Agri-Technology research and innovation. The current round of the FIP Accelerating Development of Practices and Technologies (ADOPT) fund is currently open and closes 3rd June 2026 with further rounds opening from 4th June.