Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron and Liberal Democrat candidate for Mayor of Cumbria Libby Bateman have launched a campaign calling on DEFRA to give financial support to farmers for producing food.

The Liberal Democrat pair have launched the campaign as they claim that England is now the only country in Europe with a farm payment system that does not actively support farmers to produce food.

A report released by DEFRA in 2024 stated that the UK produced up to 60 percent and imports 40 percent of the food it needs, depending up on the season.

Tim said: “At a time when our country’s food security is more at risk than at any time since the Second World War, we now have a farm payment scheme in England that fails to support farmers to produce food.

“Policies started by the Conservatives and continued under Labour are actively preventing Cumbrian farmers from producing food.

“This must change.”

Libby added: “Our farmers should be supported and rewarded by government for producing nutritious, high-quality food.

“And that support must ensure that every farmer gets their fair share – not just big landowners.

“Back our campaign by signing our petition today.”

The petition has been launched as the Government have announced a major initiative encouraging the public to stockpile food to prepare for emergencies.

The petition can be found here