A visit to a working farm has brought the pressures facing rural communities into sharp focus, as politicians and farmers met to discuss rising costs, policy uncertainty and the future of sustainable agriculture.
Rebecca Smith, MP for South West Devon, visited Carswell Farm in Holbeton to meet local farmers and representatives from the National Farmers’ Union (NFU), where discussions centred on the challenges currently affecting the sector.
The meeting highlighted concerns over increasing fuel and fertiliser costs, local transport issues, and uncertainty surrounding the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI). Farmers said delays in government decision-making were affecting their ability to plan with confidence for the future.
During the visit, Rebecca also heard about the role farms such as Carswell play in education, with around 30 school visits hosted each year. These visits aim to give young people a better understanding of farming, food production and the rural environment.
Despite wet weather, Rebecca joined farmer Geoff, alongside Lucy and Jo from the NFU, to tour the farm and view its use of herbal ley. The method uses diverse grass and plant mixtures to improve soil health, support biodiversity and provide quality grazing for livestock.
(Credit : Submitted)
Rebecca said: “Farmers are facing real pressures, from rising costs to ongoing uncertainty around schemes like the Sustainable Farming Incentive.
“It is clear from the conversations I have had that delays in decision-making are making it harder for farmers to plan for the future with confidence.
“What stands out at Carswell Farm is the commitment not just to producing high-quality food, but to doing so sustainably.
“Farms like this are at the heart of our rural communities, and they deserve clarity and support to continue that work.”
Lucy Jermyn, Devon NFU assistant county adviser, said: “We were pleased to welcome MP Rebecca Smith on farm. Political engagement from the grass roots up remains vital to ensure issues affecting family farmers are fully heard and understood.
“We would like to see her continue to champion issues in Westminster on behalf of her farming constituents so we can continue to drive for a confident, resilient, profitable sector for our farmer and grower members.
“A lot of ground was covered from agri-environment support schemes through to a discussion on our important and very special upland areas, including Dartmoor, alongside other challenges for farming families.
“A thank you to the team at Carswell Farm for hosting – they have an excellent business and offered a great insight into food production, environmental protection and the excellent work they do with schools talking about what happens from field to fork alongside managing the countryside.”
Lucy added that fuel and fertiliser costs were a key concern, driven by global market pressures and the ongoing conflict in Iran.
She said: “We outlined our position and it remains vital that government and politicians from all parties understand that farm planning is long term and the impact on markets and availability of fertiliser, as well as fuel, remains critical for us to grow food.
“The NFU remains busy speaking to government and MPs at the highest level to try and work out solutions and build resilience into the industry to help protect us from market shocks and global instability.”
