Backing Our Farmers Across Oxfordshire
Farming is at the heart of our local economy, but right now family farms are under real pressure. The Labour Government has dealt blow after blow to the sector, with changes to inheritance tax rules, the closure of the Sustainable Farming Incentive, and a failure to properly listen to farmers’ concerns.
Charlie has been meeting with local farmers across West Oxfordshire and the Vale to hear first-hand about the challenges they face – from flooding and rural crime to planning barriers and the closure of local abattoirs. Farmers are being asked to produce more with less, while still delivering the high-quality food we all rely on.
Family farms are struggling with incredibly tight margins. They’re not paid a fair price for food they produce and supply costs have shot up. I will always back British farmers to keep producing high quality food while protecting and enhancing our countryside.
Charlie Maynard MP
What are the challenges facing local farmers?
🌾 Unfair prices – Farmers aren’t being paid properly for the food they produce, while supermarket and supplier margins keep rising.
💷 Rising costs – The price of fuel, feed, and fertiliser has rocketed, putting even more pressure on farm businesses.
🌊 Flooding – Repeated flooding is damaging farmland and destroying crops, with no clear government plan to help.
🔒 Rural crime – From equipment theft to livestock worrying, crime in rural areas is leaving farmers out of pocket and feeling unsafe.
🏗️ Planning barriers – The planning system makes it too hard for farmers to diversify or make the changes they need to survive.
🏞️ Policy uncertainty – The closure of the Sustainable Farming Incentive and sudden tax changes risk destabilising family farms for good.
What is Charlie doing to help?
Charlie has been:
✔️ Challenging the Government in Parliament over policies that harm farmers.
✔️ Working with local farmers to raise awareness of the pressures they face.
✔️ Campaigning for fairer prices for farmers and stronger action on rural crime.
✔️ Calling for clarity on farming support schemes so farmers can plan for the future.
Charlie is determined to make sure farmers are properly supported – not undermined – so they can keep producing food, protecting our environment, and sustaining rural communities.
What can residents do to help?
There are two key ways you can stand up for local farmers:
✍️ Sign our petition to show your support for British farmers. Every signature makes it harder for the Government to ignore their concerns.
🗳️ Vote for Liberal Democrat candidates at election time, so we can keep fighting for a fair deal for farmers in West Oxfordshire and the Vale.
Back Local Farmers
Charlie Marnard MP and the Liberal Democrats are backing our farmers across Oxfordshire. Will you add your name to back our farmers?