Alistair Carmichael, MP for Orkney and Shetland, referenced his own experience as an islander and child of farmers as he implored the government to protect farm budgets.

Affirming Steve Reed's responsibility as Defra Secretary to safeguard and support rural communities, he said: “Since the election we have had it confirmed that the Defra budget for agricultural support has been underspent by a cumulative total of £350 million over the last three years.”

With potential budget cuts looming for the rural sector, Mr Carmichael expressed concern over changes to rural taxation: “The briefing in recent weeks in relation to possible changes to Inheritance Tax, specifically to Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief, increased last weekend and that should be a serious concern for family farm businesses and, by extension, rural communities.”

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In his closing remarks, Mr Carmichael underscored the vital role of local, sustainable food production for the nation’s future: the “war in Ukraine was a sharp reminder to us all that if we are serious about food security then we have to be serious about supporting domestic food production.

“Genuine food security will only come with fairness in the supply chain. Eleven years on from its creation, it is clear that the Groceries Code Adjudicator needs a root and branch overhaul, based on a more sophisticated understanding of the whole supply chain from farm to fork.”