Yeovil MP Adam Dance urges action to tackle food crisis

Adam Dance, the Liberal Democrat MP for Yeovil, is supporting an initiative from his party that includes introducing a new Farm First training scheme to inspire young people to step into agriculture.

With only five per cent of farmers currently under the age of 35, Mr Dance is concerned that Somerset could lose the next generation of farmers if agricultural careers are not made more accessible.

Mr Dance said: "It is shocking that so many families are struggling to afford food while farmers across Somerset are being pushed to the brink by rising costs and the threat of the Family Farm Tax.

"We need a complete reset in how this country values farming and where our food comes from.

"A ‘Farm First’ scheme would give young people a clear route into agriculture, with the training and confidence to build a future in the industry."

The scheme, modelled on Teach First, aims to provide the requisite training and confidence for budding farmers to nurture a future in the farming industry.

The plans also call for stronger education on nutrition, homegrown food and how Britain produces its own food.

Currently, one in five children and one in ten households are living in food poverty.

The Liberal Democrats argue that extending access to agricultural training and emphasising the use of locally grown produce can act as a cornerstone of a secure and resilient food system.

Mr Dance added: “If the government continues to turn a blind eye, we will not only lose essential rural skills, we will also weaken our own food security.

"No country is secure if it cannot feed itself."

Further to this, Mr Dance underscored the role of farming in Somerset's identity, economy, and landscape, stating its necessity as a viable career for future generations.