A Somerset MP is supporting calls for urgent action to fix Britain’s broken food system and increase support for high-welfare, nature-friendly farmers.

Gideon Amos, MP for Taunton and Wellington, joined World Animal Protection at the Parliamentary launch of its Just Transition Business Case for Farmers, Animals and the Environment.

World Animal Protection is the global voice for animal welfare.

It says the report has revealed opportunities for the government to support more UK farmers in implementing practices which are good for farmers, climate and animals.

Lindsay Duncan, World Animal Protection's UK Farming Campaigns Manager, said: “Currently, British farmers find themselves in a competitive environment.

“Existing funding for nature-friendly farming is too restrictive, presenting unnecessary hurdles for farmers to access support.”

For example, World Animal Protection assessed the terms and conditions for grants which incentivise farmers to plant trees to house animals.

The charity found that grant guidance tends to focus solely on one animal species, such as cows, leading to the exclusion of others.

Lindsay added: "This makes it difficult for pig and chicken farmers to access such funding, despite having as much of a positive impact on nature and the lives of farmed animals.

“Simple tweaks to guidance, for example by being more inclusive of all species, would enable more farmers to benefit from this support and to farm more sustainably.”

Mr Amos said: “Having worked on a farm as a youngster I know how hard farmers work to put food on our table.

“It was great to meet farmers involved in World Animal Protection and I’m pleased to support their Just Transition Business Case for Farmers.

“That is why I am calling on the UK government to review its existing agricultural policies and provide more support for nature-friendly farmers who are adapting their farms and changing practices to meet government objectives generally, but with precious little support.

“The recent halting of applications to the Sustainable Farming Incentive Scheme is another massive blow to the sector.

“It comes after a £300 million underspend in the government’s agricultural budget and disastrous trade deals under the last government which have exposed us all to imports of meat which don’t comply with British standards.

“Liberal Democrats are calling for an extra billion pounds for agriculture and a new deal with Europe to boost British farming.

“It is vital that British farmers, who want to improve their impact on the environment and the welfare of their animals, are given the support they need to grow sustainably.

“The policy tweaks proposed by this charity’s report are designed to be easy to implement and will play a significant part in achieving government environmental targets.”

The full Just Transition for Farmers, Animals and the Environment’ report can be read here https://www.worldanimalprotection.org.uk/siteassets/reports/a-just-transition-business-case-report.pdf.