MP Selaine Saxby welcomed the funding for North Devon farmers on Back British Farming Day (Wednesday, September 13). 

The North Devon MP wore a wheatsheaf pin badge yesterday to show her support after Defra awarded £312,131 to farmers in the area who applied for the first round of Animal Health and Welfare Equipment and Technology grants, part of the Farming Investment Fund.

READ MORE: Derek Thomas, MP, shows support for Back British Farming Day

This was part of a total £19 million awarded to over 3,300 pig, poultry, sheep and cattle farmers who successfully applied to the fund. 

The grants are set to help farmers invest in items ranging from livestock handling equipment to reduce lameness in sheep and cattle, to automated monitoring systems which free-up farmers’ time and limit environmental stress in poultry housing.

Ms Saxby said she welcomes this funding in North Devon - but also knows there are many farmers who missed out on the grant. 

“I’m proud to wear the wheatsheaf pin badge on Back British Farming Day to show my support for the farmers and growers in North Devon who do a fantastic job in providing the nation with high-quality and climate-friendly food, all whilst caring for our much loved countryside," she said.

“I welcome this recent specific funding into North Devon but I also know that many people have missed out and will need to reapply. I have also been pressing Slurry Infrastructure Grants to be made more widely available. Everyone can apply but it appears for now that the funds are being heavily directed at those areas who have the greatest nutrient neutrality concerns.

"I am encouraging everyone who needs Slurry Infrastructure Grants to apply, even if you do not get one it will hopefully show DEFRA and Ministers that the demand and need for more funding, more widely dispersed is desperately needed now, not later.”

The Government plans to build on the commitment to keep producing 60% of the food we consume here in the UK. 

The food and farming secretary, Therese Coffey, has backed calls from the NFU and various MPs for industry-led action to signpost customers to 'buy British' when they shop online. 

“This government will always back British farmers who produce some of the highest quality food in the world, contribute billions to our economy, and are the custodians of our countryside," said the food and farming secretary.

“Today’s announcements are acting on commitments made at the Farm to Fork Summit and driving forward our new farming schemes to deliver a profitable and sustainable food and farming sector that delivers for people and our planet now and into the future."