In opinion polls, the Labour Party leads significantly over the Conservatives, who have replaced their own prime minister three times mid-term in the past two years. The Labour opposition has promised to improve food security and boost the British agricultural sector, including the goal that at least half of the food in hospitals, schools, and prisons will come from British agriculture.
Starmer said the Conservatives have let farmers down. He reiterated his plan to reach a new veterinary agreement with the EU. If successful, this would greatly reduce the administrative burden for British farmers. However, it would also mean that Great Britain would still comply with EU standards for the admission of those goods.
Labour states that since 2017, under Tory rule, more than 6,300 agricultural businesses have gone bankrupt, including nearly 5,000 meat, fruit, vegetable, and dairy producers. In the same period, employment in agriculture, forestry, and fishing has declined by 30%, the party added.
Although many British farmers blame Brexit for damaging their competitiveness, Labour says nothing about a possible return to the EU. According to recent British opinion polls, more than half of Britons are in favor of this. At the time of Boris Johnson’s referendum, Labour was also not against leaving the EU. Labour does acknowledge that part of the problems in British agriculture have been caused by Brexit.