Efra Committee Chairman Vows Inquiry on Agricultural Spending
The newly appointed chairman of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Efra) committee, Alistair Carmichael, has highlighted the importance of a thorough investigation into government spending on agriculture. In an interview with Farmers Weekly at the Liberal Democrat party conference, Carmichael mentioned ongoing inquiries into fairness in the food supply chain and the need to address budget issues impacting farming interests.
Recent reports have uncovered that Defra has failed to utilize £358m of its allocated budget over the past three years, with the Treasury requesting £100m back to address government finances. Carmichael raised concerns about underspending and the insufficient budget for Environmental Land Management schemes, emphasizing the risks of returning money to the Treasury.
Lib Dem agriculture spokesman Tim Farron also expressed worries about Defra’s position in Treasury priorities, citing a lack of progress post-Michael Gove’s tenure. Farron criticized the potential for budget cuts affecting small and tenant farmers, advocating for an additional £1bn to support agriculture.
NFU vice-president Rachel Hallos echoed the need for increased funding, calling for an extra £2.8bn across the UK, with England requiring £1.7bn. She emphasized the urgency for farmers to have confidence to invest in their businesses, urging sustained support throughout the parliament.
Defra’s future spending priorities will be confirmed in the government’s upcoming spending review, with tough decisions expected to address the significant public finance deficit. The agriculture sector awaits clarity on funding and support measures in light of ongoing budget challenges.
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Maria Sanchez completed her Bachelor’s degree in Plant Sciences from the University of California, Davis, in the USA. Her studies focused on plant genetics and biotechnology, with an emphasis on developing disease-resistant crop varieties. Maria has contributed to several research projects aimed at improving crop resilience to climate change and is now pursuing her Master’s degree in Plant Breeding.