Impact of the war in Ukraine on British agriculture

Motion Text

That this House is deeply concerned by the impact of the war in Ukraine on UK food production and food security; notes that fertiliser, grain, and gas price increases have put intense pressure on British farmers; further notes that Ukrainian agriculture accounts for 30 per cent of world wheat and 50 per cent of sunflower exports, and that Ukrainians have made up 60 per cent of the Seasonal Worker scheme since the UK left the EU; and therefore urges the Government to pause the phase out of direct payments for two years, immediately review the Shortage Occupation List, and release 10,000 additional visas under the Seasonal Worker scheme to give farmers more certainty for the immediate future.