Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron has urged the Government to step in and support farmers facing soaring costs linked to the war with Iran.
Speaking in the House of Commons on Tuesday afternoon, the Liberal Democrat MP challenged Chancellor Rachel Reeves over agricultural inflation and the impact on food prices.
Figures from price tracking website Boiler Juice show that red diesel, a cheaper fuel used in off-road farming vehicles, had surged from 78p per litre before the Middle East conflict to £1.22 at the start this week.
The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) has already warned that food prices are likely to increase, as farmers struggle to absorb mounting costs.
Speaking in Parliament, Mr Farron said: “As a result of this war, agricultural inflation is running at 7.6 per cent - more than twice general inflation levels.
“Red diesel has doubled in price and fertiliser supply is under serious threat.
“Predictably, food prices are likely to rise, causing hardship for millions of people, partly because of Britain’s lack of food security.
“Is it not time for the Government to U-turn on the Conservative policy that they inherited, which means that England is now the only country in Europe that does not use its farm payments to actively support its farmers to produce food?”
Responding, Ms Reeves acknowledged the pressures facing the sector.
She said: “I thank the honourable gentleman for his representation of the agricultural sector.
“As he knows, on the two occasions when we have extended the 5p cut in fuel duty, a commensurate benefit has been applied to red diesel, but I recognise the challenges faced, in the current conflict, by the agricultural sector and other sectors that are big users of diesel.
“That is why we are working hard with industry to ensure that the sectors get the support that they need.
"Crucially, we are also trying to de-escalate the conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz to improve the availability of diesel and fertiliser.”
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