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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she plans to take to encourage more women to work in the food and farming industries.

Our farming and food sector need to draw from the widest possible range of talents, including women. A record 2600 women are now leading farms and am I keen to build on this, which is why I championed women’s involvement in farming at a recent round table.

There was significant growth in the take-up of agriculture as a degree course last year and it is encouraging that so many people are seeing the potential of this exciting career. More women than ever before are taking agriculture-related courses, with women now accounting for 62% of enrolments.