Steve Barclay has urged the Government to take action to protect British farmers, as he argued that many farming businesses are “unlikely to survive” without support.

In the Commons, the shadow environment and rural affairs (Defra) secretary claimed farmers are being kept up at night with worry with “no relief in sight”.

Meanwhile, Environment Secretary Steve Reed accused the Tories of being “hypocritical” and promised farmers a “fresh start”.

Opening an opposition day debate on farming and food security, Mr Barclay said: “Britain’s farmers are facing real and immediate challenges, which means the Government must take action now, and that is why we have called this debate today.”

He added: “Recent research from the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit and the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board has suggested that England is heading for one of its worst harvests on record.”

Mr Barclay went on to say: “This means we risk being increasingly reliant on imports and, unfortunately, it would seem there is no relief in sight, with ten English counties experiencing their wettest September on record, and with input costs continuing to remain high.

“So if we don’t support our farmers now, many farm businesses say they are unlikely to survive.”

He also said: “They rejected the plans for a binding food security target, and it’s even been suggested in media reports that they plan to cut the farming budget by £100m.

“Indeed, it was reported that the NFU (National Farmers’ Union) president has said his members are being kept up at night by the cliff-edge of Labour’s lack of commitment on the agricultural budget is causing.

“So this Government needs to change course. It needs to give immediate confidence to the sector and to show that they care about food security.”

In his contribution, Mr Reed said: “It is a little hypocritical, isn’t it, of the party opposite to complain not enough is being done for flooding, when it’s their government that’s left flood defences in the worst condition ever recorded?”

Elsewhere, the Secretary of State pledged to make the “strongest case” for funding and told members that solar farms would not put the UK’s food security at risk.

He said: “I can assure this House I am making the strongest case for that funding, despite the financial black hole and flatlining economy the Conservatives left behind. Food security is national security, and of course energy security is also national security.

“This Government will deliver the mandate we were elected on. Our plans to boost solar power do not risk the UK’s food security. Even in the most ambitious scenarios, the total area of the UK’s agricultural land used for solar would still occupy less than one per cent.”

He added: “Our new deal for farming will offer farmers a fresh start. Action to cut energy bills, action on rural crime, action to open markets to trade and to export, action to cut the appalling levels of mental ill health that affect farmers right across our country.”

Mr Reed also suggested the Government could appoint a commissioner to improve support for tenant farmers, stating: “I recently met with the Tenant Farmers Association to hear their views about improving support for tenant farmers, I agree the proposal for a tenant farming commissioner has merit, and we will be making an announcement shortly.”