CLA highlights challenges and opportunities at high-profile summer show breakfasts
MPs and industry leaders debate the future of the rural economy at CLA events during Royal Bath & West Show and Royal Cornwall Show
The view of our panel of speakers at Royal Bath & West Show was that farming had been hamstrung by a lack of government understanding and support. Chairing the debate, Show President Alice Fox-Pitt claimed the government lacks the understanding required to implement policies that genuinely support the rural sector. Providing political representation was Sarah Dyke, MP for Glastonbury and Somerton.
Deputy President Joe Evans said: “Regulation is making it difficult to do business and farmers feel beleaguered. But food security is rising up the national agenda. Society is starting to realise that farmers hold the key not only to food security, but to climate change, water management and natural capital. There’s a lot of work to do on the policy front, but we’re the only people who can do this.”
Jeremy Moody, Secretary and Adviser to the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers (CAAV), argued the government has walked away from agricultural and environmental policy since October 2024. He warned that as the country becomes poorer in real terms, expecting Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) funding to save farming is unrealistic.
Richard Clothier, Managing Director of Wyke Farms emphasised exports as key to resilience, ideally across a diverse range of markets. He noted the UK has fallen from around 70% food self-sufficiency during the Second World War to just 50–55% today, increasing vulnerability to climate shocks and geopolitical events.
The Royal Cornwall Show got underway with the CLA Political Breakfast, with attendees including Jayne Kirkham MP (Truro and Falmouth), Jenny Riddell-Carpenter MP (Suffolk Coastal), Robbie Moore MP, High Sheriff of Cornwall Harriet Hills, RABI Chief Executive Alicia Chivers and Food, Farming and Countryside Commission Chief Executive Sue Pritchard.
Our political speaker was the Rt Hon Alistair Carmichael MP, Chair of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee, who spoke alongside CLA Deputy President Joe Evans.
Joe Evans told delegates: “I believe very strongly that the CLA has never mattered more than it does today. This magnificent county is home to a £2 billion farming and agri-food sector. One in five people in Cornwall are employed in those sectors, and many more in the tourism and hospitality businesses that everyone in this room leads the way in.
He raised concerns over ongoing policy uncertainty, saying: “Recent roundtables with DEFRA have suggested to me that ministers are still somewhat unclear about what they really in their hearts want the agricultural budget to achieve.”
Speaking more broadly, he acknowledged continued frustration over the rollout of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI26), saying he had pressed the farming minister for a seamless transition for those with expiring agreements.
The Rt Hon Alistair Carmichael MP covered relevant topics homing in on IHT. He said: “I think we have got a workable patch that will see us through to the next election. I don't think it can be the end of the story, and I don't think it will be, but for the CLA, for the NFU and others, the conversation needs to be had now between yourselves and the parties to see what goes into the manifestos. But we need to have a proper conversation about how you have responsible reform because there are things about inheritance tax that work to the detriment of farmers and landowners and land managers.”
The Liberal Democrat MP for Orkney and Shetland also warned that food production must be restored to the centre of agricultural policy, arguing that current approaches are failing to deliver food security and affordability. Highlighting global volatility, climate pressures and evolving UK–EU relations, he said reform was needed across the supply chain to ensure farmers receive a fair return while consumers are not priced out of food.
Our summer shows were also an opportunity to engage with local MPs, including Anna Geldard (South East Cornwall), Perran Moon (Camborne and Redruth), Jayne Kirkham (Truro and Falmouth) and Ben Maguire (North Cornwall) – who both took part in our second day debate at Royal Cornwall Show, and David Reed (Exmouth and Exeter East).
