MALVERN MP Harriett Baldwin has repeated her support for the farming community as the Government looks to stop farmland being ‘swallowed’ up by solar projects.
The Prime Minister this week hosted a summit for farm workers and food producers to hear the challenges they are facing.
New measures from the government are set to clarify regulations which protect agricultural land from being used for solar farms.
And the Government has also announced a five-year extension to the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme which aims to help farmers access labour to pick their crops.
Dame Harriett said: “I regularly meet with farmers, horticulturalists and food producers from across West Worcestershire to hear their views and to pass back key requests to Departmental colleagues.
“Farming and rural businesses are vital to our economy and the Prime Minister and the Government have confirmed that with a range of important announcements in recent weeks.
“The seasonal workers scheme remains crucial to local businesses, particularly the fruit producers and I welcome this extension news.
“Food security remains an absolute priority for the Government as does energy security and it is important that we get the right balance between backing farmers, protecting our farming land and ensuring that we are able to produce the right energy to meet demand.
“I have always felt that rooftops and brownfield sites are the best solution for projects like solar farms, ensuring that our best growing land is always available to put local food on our tables.”
