Labour pledges to back Bedfordshire farmers

Labour's Shadow Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Secretary, Steve Reed, reaffirmed Labour's commitment to backing farmers in Bedfordshire on a visit to a local farm this week.

The shadow minister was joined by prospective Hitchin MP, Alistair Strathern, on a visit to Oldfield Farm in Henlow, where he set out Labour's plans to slash red tape at UK borders, which he says is preventing the export of high-quality British produce.

Alistair Strathern - who is currently MP for Mid Bedfordshire before he moves to fight the new Hitchin seat at the next General Election - said: "One of my key priorities is being a strong voice for farmers here in Bedfordshire and across our region, so it was great to welcome Steve Reed here to see the amazing work local farmers do.

"Sadly, fourteen years of the Conservatives has left farmers in Bedfordshire struggling to afford the rising costs of energy and vital machinery.

"I'm pleased that Labour has pledged to back our farmers, with a decade of national renewal that puts the countryside at its heart."

In addition, Mr Reed pledged to invest in home-grown energy, as farmers have been hit by skyrocketing energy prices, with the price of animal feed and fertiliser more than doubling over the last year.

Mr Reed, the shadow Environment Secretary said: "The Conservatives have wrecked our rural economy in Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire.

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"Red tape at the borders and eye watering energy bills have forced farmers out of business, with many good local jobs lost.

"Labour will give farmers in Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire their future back. We will cut energy bills for farmers, slash red tape at our borders to get food exports moving again, and use the Government's own purchasing power to back British produce."