PARLIAMENTARY DEBATE
Agricultural Industries: Funding - 19 March 2026 (Commons/Commons Chamber)

Debate Detail

LD
Christine Jardine
Edinburgh West
9. Whether she plans to increase the level of funding available to agricultural industries.
Dame Angela Eagle
The Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs
Rising input costs, including for fertiliser, have contributed to pressure on many farm businesses in recent years. We continually assess how global cost volatility affects farm productivity and the resilience of the sector.
  09:30:00
Christine Jardine
Edinburgh West may not seem like the most rural constituency, but we have several critical agricultural businesses in the seat, including the Royal Highland Centre in Ingliston and a number of businesses that are diversifying into agritourism. There is funding available, but it is often unclear how to get it or how to align it for, say, the conversion of buildings. Can the Minister commit to making it clearer how agricultural businesses that want to diversify can access the funding?
Dame Angela Eagle
I would love to—if the hon. Lady’s constituency was in England. Agriculture is a devolved matter, and she must therefore ask the Scottish Government.

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