As the year draws to a close it is a natural time to reflect on the last twelve months – which have been anything but quiet. The illegal invasion of Ukraine on Russia has sharpened our focus on self-sufficiency, whether in energy or food. It’s imperative we now do all we can to boost domestic food and energy production so we are no longer dependent on foreign powers.
Looking ahead to next year, I’ll be working to deliver an important new legislation on farming machinery theft. The law aims for manufacturers to fit immobilisers to identify stolen agricultural machinery. Quad bikes and tractors are expensive, valued pieces of kit and have become highly targeted by criminal gangs in recent years.
Despite the turbulence created in Downing Street earlier in the year, closer to home I have focused my efforts on our hard-working community. It was fantastic to have Defra Minister Mark Spencer come to meet a group of local farmers, who highlighted the pressures they’re currently facing. We discussed the avian flu outbreak, increased fertiliser costs and sharp retailer practices. As well as this, it was my privilege to invite a Radnorshire beef and sheep farmer to attend a reception in No 10 back in October. Never has the view of the countryside been heard quite so loudly in Downing Street!
With the first ‘normal’ Christmas in three years ahead of us, I hope you have a wonderful time. All the very best for 2023.
