Tom Gordon, Liberal Democrat MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, has visited Fodder to show support for local farmers during a time of growing uncertainty and pressure on the agricultural sector.
Fodder was created to champion local produce and support Yorkshire farmers, with all profits going to Yorkshire Agricultural Society – a charity that provides wide-ranging support to the farming community. This includes financial guidance, practical assistance, and vital medical and mental health services.
Tom praised the range of support provided, particularly the charities focus on mental health. He highlighted its importance after recent conversations with farmers about the increasing pressures they face and the serious toll it’s taking on mental health.
Tom noted that support from organisations like this is more vital than ever, as farmers face a perfect storm of challenges, including soaring energy and feed costs, ongoing trade disruption, and now the added pressure of the Labour government’s “family farm tax.”
He praised Yorkshire Agricultural Society for stepping in where government has failed and renewed his call for urgent action, scrapping the family farm tax and investing in sustainable farming to secure the future of those who feed the nation.
Commenting, Tom said:
While the Labour government turns its back on farmers, charities like the Yorkshire Agricultural Society are stepping up to fill the gap.
Their work is vital, but it shouldn’t fall to charities to do what government should be doing: backing the people who feed the nation.
It’s time to scrap the family farm tax and invest properly in British farming, so farmers can get the support they need to succeed, and we can protect our food security, economy, and countryside.
