South Dorset MP Richard Drax has questioned Farming Minister George Eustice for assurances that food and farming are top priorities for the government during Brexit negotiations.
The MP had previously met with local farmers before asking George Eustice for the reassurance.
The most significant concern for Dorset farmers is the effects of Brexit and what it means for migrant labour on UK farms.
Other concerns included the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), the re-licensing of Glyphosate weed killer, the effects of the avian influenza scare on free range status for chickens, further moves on TB culling and problems with the Countryside Stewardship scheme were also highlighted.
Mr Drax quizzed the minister during an European Scrutiny Select Committee hearing, where Mr Eustice was invited to give evidence on DEFRA plans for farming and fishing post Brexit.
On the matter of EU farm workers, the minister replied that licensing would definitely continue. On funding, he said that the government would first decide on what our farmers needed, then finance it.
Mr Drax told the Dorset Echo: “Food and farming are of paramount importance to this country. Of the £6 billion a year we currently pay to the EU, we must earmark a considerable sum for our farming industry post Brexit. The farmers know what they need.
"As I wrote to the minister, 'they rightly seek assurances, and I seek yours, that the Government has put food as a top priority during the Brexit negotiations'.”
