Supporting the Island's farming industry is on the agenda for MP hopefuls standing in Isle of Wight East.

The County Press asked each of the six candidates what they would do for the industry.

In 120 words, here's what they said...

Emily Brothers, for Island Labour, said: "The central mission of the next Labour government will be to stimulate economic growth, including a New Deal for Farmers to boost food security.

"We need food exports moving again, but trade deals must protect Island farmers from being undercut by low welfare and standards.

"I think Government should deploy its purchasing powers for the benefit of Island farmers, with 50 per cent of food in our hospitals, prisons and other publicly owned facilities sourced locally and produced to high environmental standards.

"We will cut through the Tory bureaucracy that has blocked farmers from receiving hundreds of millions of pounds of funding. I will advocate for Island farmers accessing Environment Land Management Schemes to ensure a balance between food and nature recovery."

Independent candidate, David Groocock, said: "Encouraging farmers and growers to increase land use for growing crops that can be used locally and excesses used for exports and if not profitable arranging subsidises until such time that they are. 

"Increasing live stock farming around the Island and making sure that farmers can afford  to invest in a move to producing more by more help from Government subsidies or Government backed loans."

For the Isle of Wight Liberal Democrats, Michael Lilley, said: "The Lib Dems would introduce a holistic and comprehensive National Food Strategy to ensure food security, tackle rising food prices, end food poverty and improve health and nutrition.

"Support farmers properly in managing land to encourage species recovery and carbon storage, while producing food for the table. This combination of environment, nature and food production is part of Island farming DNA.

"I have been pursuing the issue of food poverty on the Island and fighting to save productive farmland being built on for nine years.

"My annual Pancake Day food poverty event has raised thousands of pounds for local food projects and I have consistently supported the Save Westridge Farmland campaign which is on-going and still not lost."

Vix Lowthion, Isle of Wight Green Party candidate, said: "I grew up on a council dairy farm – I know first-hand how hard farmers work and how isolated that job can feel.

"We all rely on our farmers:  greater domestic food security is critical. Rather than relying on imports of fresh fruit (80%) and vegetables (50%) we need to build local fresh food networks and revitalise the abandoned National Food Strategy.

"It’s crucial that we regulate for fairness for the smaller scale farmers in negotiations with the supermarkets. Farmers are coping with the challenges of Brexit and of flooding and climate change.

"They need subsidies to invest in bringing land back into good health, making it a carbon sink rather than a carbon emitter and move towards regenerative farming methods."

For Reform UK, Sarah Morris, said: "Reform UK will revitalise Britain's agriculture to give a much-needed boost to our farmers and guarantee the country's food security.

"IN THE FIRST 100 DAYS:

  • Increase the Farming Budget to £3billion
  • Focus on smaller farms. Keep farmland in use. Bring young people into farming. Boost rural economy and culture. Increase innovation and diversification.
  • Help farmers to farm, not pay them to leave or retire.
  • Scrap Climate-Related Farming Subsidies
  • Productive land must be farmed, not be used for solar farms or rewilding. Replace current subsidies with direct payments. Stop Natural England from taking action that damages farmers.
  • Buy British. Buy quality.
  • Target 70% to ensure food security. 
  • Farming not Form Filling.
  • Many farmers spend over 15 hours a week on paperwork."

Joe Robertson, for the Isle of Wight Conservative Party, said: "The Government is investing £2.4 billion annually in England to support farmers, which means money is being spent here on the Island to improve food security and productivity.

"The Rural England Prosperity Fund will deliver money to grow local tourism, support agricultural enterprises, local food producers, renewable energy products, and rural manufacturing companies and service providers.

"Here on the Island, farms benefit from a strong tourist economy, whether directly or indirectly.

"If elected as MP I will ensure Island farming voices are heard in government and influence international trade deals.

"I am already promoting buying local here on the Island – and have recently been speaking with Island farmers to ask what specific support the government can give them."

  • For Isle of Wight West: Cameron Palin, Green Party; Ian Pickering, Reform UK; Richard Quigley, Labour; Bob Seely, Conservative; Nick Stuart, Liberal Democrat; Rachel Thacker, ADF.

(Image: Canva)