A slice of rural life was brought to the heart of power as businesses from Exmoor made their case directly to MPs, highlighting both their strengths and the mounting pressures they face.
Rachel Gilmour, MP for Tiverton and Minehead, invited producers, chefs and rural organisations to the Houses of Parliament to showcase the region’s offering to politicians from across the country.
The event, held on Wednesday, April 22, was organised in partnership with Visit Exmoor and brought together nine local producers and organisations. Attendees presented their products and expertise while also outlining the challenges facing rural businesses and the importance of supporting the rural economy.
Rachel said: “In this day and age where farmers are under such a lot of pressure, it really is our responsibility to make the most of what we have got locally, and champion and shout about it from the rooftops, because Exmoor is an extraordinary place with extraordinary things to do, eat and drink.”
Participants included Wellhayes Vineyard, Black Bear Brewery, Exmoor Distillery, The Exmoor Game School, Eat Exmoor, South West Larder, Exmoor National Park, Visit England and Visit Britain.
Tom Davis, head brewer at Black Bear Brewery, said: “We really enjoyed allowing some of the MPs to come and try the ales, it has been fantastic fun. We have a great story to tell.”
He added: “Everything we do has personality, and the only way for people to find out about it is for us to come and talk to people and try the beers. To be able to join some of our colleagues from Exmoor, to show off our best products that we can produce in Somerset, has been really good.”
Among those attending were Alistair Carmichael, MP for Orkney and Shetland and chair of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee, and Helen Morgan, a member of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for UK Food Security and Rural Business. They were joined by MPs from across the UK.
Alistair said: “Exmoor has got to be given the same opportunities as the intensive, more productive, fertile areas, because if we are going to maintain our food market, then you have got to maintain it at every level.”
He added: “The opportunity comes from people like yourselves in small businesses right around the rural economy, who are prepared to take a bit of a risk. If we in Parliament can do anything to make life that little bit easier for you, then I think that is the duty that we all have.”
Rachel has previously backed measures including a £1 billion increase to the farming budget and mandatory country-of-origin labelling for beef. She also opposed changes to agricultural property relief, often referred to as the Family Farm Tax, which came into effect in April 2026.
Following the event, Rachel said she would continue to push for greater support for rural communities.
She said: “An event like this one is a fantastic way to bring the rural economy to Westminster – now it is my role to use this event to press the Government for more support for my rural communities, and the businesses they support.”
She added: “Exmoor has a vibrant economy – but it needs better support from Government.”
