Farmers are the backbone of our food security, which all of us depend on. I recently visited a farm in Weston Underwood, where I met with about a dozen farmers alongside the National Farmers Union.
We discussed farming subsidies, supermarkets, the effect of Brexit on farming and agriculture, and the changes to agricultural property relief.
They spoke to me about our declining food security since the 1980s and what we need to do to reverse this trend.
I know there are deep concerns, despite some positive concessions from the government, about the proposed changes to inheritance tax. That is why I, alongside 30 or so Labour colleagues, chose to abstain on Resolution 50 of the Budget. This was to help keep the conversation about this important issue going with the government.
The government has commissioned the Minette Batters review into the farm profitability and other issues in the sector, and I eagerly await its findings.
Thank you to the NFU and the farmers taking time out of their busy day to meet with me.