The fertiliser market is global, meaning the prices in Surrey, and across the UK, are strongly influenced by international fertiliser prices and the value of the pound. On 21 May I brought together senior leaders from across the food and farming supply chain to discuss pressures in the fertiliser market and hear directly from industry. We have provided guidance to support farmers to use fertilisers more efficiently – such as the nutrient management planning tool and promoting AHDB guidance and committed £120 million in funding in 2026 to trial new technologies and drive innovation in the agriculture sector.

Defra’s assessment of evidence on agroecological practices, including organic and other environmentally friendly systems, indicates that these approaches can enhance biodiversity and soil and biomass carbon at farm level. However, there are further profitability and food security considerations when balancing the lower yields agroecological practises often deliver versus volatile input costs associated with conventional farming.

Government is actively monitoring the developments in the Middle East, including their impact on the supply and price of red diesel.

This Government is taking decisive action to support farmers and fishers by cutting the duty on red diesel to its lowest rate in over 20 years, reducing the rates on red diesel by a third.

Government has acted to prevent unfair practices like price-gouging, help those who rely on heating oil, and ensure businesses get a fair deal on their bills.

The Government remains committed to implementing the UK Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) from 1 January 2027. CBAM will apply to imported goods from the fertiliser sector, and the rate charged will reflect the final carbon price paid by domestic industries after support mechanisms (such as free allowances within the UK ETS) have been taken into account.

Therefore, it is expected that initial liabilities arising from the CBAM will be modest, and the Government does not expect CBAM to put UK farmers at a significant competitive disadvantage.

CBAM, like all taxes, will be kept under review by the Chancellor.

Food security is a priority for Government, and it is taking the impacts from developments from the Middle East conflict seriously. Defra is actively monitoring all risks across food supply chains, including through regular engagement with industry and across Government, to identify emerging pressures and support preparedness.

Defra works closely with the Cabinet Office and other departments to ensure food supply is fully incorporated as part of emergency preparedness, including consideration of dependencies on other sectors.

This Government is taking decisive action to support farmers and fishers by cutting red diesel to its lowest rate in over 20 years, reducing the rates on red diesel by a third.

This Government committed to protecting the farming sector from global pressures including the war in Iran.

The Government is taking action to address food prices by working with the food industry on supply chain resilience, regulatory burden, and structural drivers of food costs. Measures already taken as part of wider efforts to reduce pressure on prices due to the Middle East conflict include tariff reductions on a variety of customer staples. The Government is developing plans to work with local authorities to support improved access to healthy and affordable food in areas in greatest need. Targeted support is available for lower income households through the recently uplifted Healthy Start, plans for extension of free school meals, and the Holiday Activity and Food Programme.

The Government is aware of the current price increase for fertiliser due to the conflict in the Gulf. Defra is assessing the impact on farmers of high prices, and impacts in the wider supply chain. Defra is working closely with the sector to understand risks and issues, and options for action where needed.

Food security is a priority for the Government, and Defra is taking the impacts from the Middle East conflict seriously.

The Government has increased the frequency of official fertiliser price reporting, now published by the AHDB on a weekly basis. This will give farmers more timely and transparent information to support decision-making.

The Government asked the Competition and Markets Authority to consider industry concerns about red diesel, including transparency, and has taken further decisive action to support farmers by cutting it to its lowest rate in over 20 years, reducing the rates on red diesel by a third.

The Government is aware of the current price increase for fertiliser due to the conflict in the Gulf. Defra is working closely with industry and farmers to understand risks and issues, and options for action where needed. We have provided guidance to support farmers to use fertilisers more efficiently such as the nutrient management planning tool and promoting AHDB guidance to help farmers use fertilisers more profitably.

Food security is a priority for the Government, and Defra is taking the impacts from the Middle East conflict seriously.

The Government has increased the frequency of official fertiliser price reporting, now published by the AHDB on a weekly basis. This will give farmers more timely and transparent information to support decision-making.

The Government asked the Competition and Markets Authority to consider industry concerns about red diesel, including transparency, and has taken further decisive action to support farmers by cutting it to its lowest rate in over 20 years, reducing the rates on red diesel by a third.

What steps she is taking to help support farmers with the cost of fertiliser.

North West Norfolk is home to the leading UK producer of liquid fertilisers, whose production depends on urea ammonium nitrate. With no domestic supply and conflict in the middle east constraining global markets, the United States is our primary reliable source. Will the Minister urge the Department for Business and Trade to suspend the 6% import tariff on US origin UAN in order to protect farmers and food prices?

Buckinghamshire farmers are hugely exposed to the global volatility in the fertiliser market, and many farmers in my constituency have faced increased costs of over 40%. Will the Minister update the House on what other efforts the Government will make to support the supply chains for farmers in Buckinghamshire so that they can be competitive and sustain domestic food production?

Thank you, Mr Speaker.

I regularly hear from farmers in my constituency. The shadow Farming Minister, my hon. Friend the Member for Keighley and Ilkley (Robbie Moore), is today at the Royal Cornwall Show 2026, where he will no doubt hear about the challenges that farmers face as a direct result of this Government’s damaging policies. Add to that soaring energy and fertiliser costs, and it is no wonder that food prices continue to rise under this Government. Will the Minister demonstrate that she understands the urgency of this issue for farmers and consumers and urge the Chancellor to follow the Conservative plan to scrap the fertiliser tax—the carbon border adjustment mechanism—so that we can keep food affordable and back British farmers?

We are working across Government to respond to the pressures created by the middle east conflict. I have asked the Competition and Markets Authority to consider industry concerns about fertiliser and we have increased the frequency of official fertiliser price reporting, which is now published weekly by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board giving farmers faster and more transparent information.

To support farmers with fuel cost pressures during peak harvest, this Government is taking decisive action to support farmers by cutting red diesel to its lowest rate in over 20 years, reducing the rates on red diesel by a third. We're committed to protecting the farming sector from global pressures including the war in Iran.

The Government recognises the importance of greater transparency in the milk supply chain to support a fair and sustainable dairy sector.

The Fair Dealing Obligations (Milk) Regulations, which fully came into force in July 2025, requires that all dairy contracts must clearly set out the factors that determine the price of milk.

In addition, producers have the right to request a written explanation of how the price has been determined and, where applicable, how those factors have influenced the price. This improves transparency and ensures farmers better understand how the price received relates to the terms of their contract.

Food security is a priority for Government, and it is taking the impacts from developments from the Middle East conflict seriously. Defra is working collaboratively with colleagues across Government to understand and respond to issues arising from the conflict.

Defra is conscious of the particular challenge posed by the price increase to red diesel due to international market volatility. This product is often bought via the spot market and so is more exposed to price volatility than road diesel at forecourts

To support farmers, Government has already brought forward a 5p fuel duty cut from March until September. Red diesel also continues to benefit from an 80% tax discount, saving almost £300 million a year.

The Competition and Markets Authority has been asked to look into industry concerns about red diesel prices, including price transparency. Defra is determined to help keep costs down for our farmers and producers.

Defra is monitoring the impact on farmers and fertiliser suppliers of high prices, and impacts in the wider supply chain. We are working closely with industry and farmers to understand risks and issues, and options for action where needed.

Defra asked the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) to increase the frequency of its fertiliser price reporting and this data is now being published on a weekly basis. This gives farmers more timely and transparent information to support their decision-making.

We also recently ran a survey to understand how fertiliser price rises and supply issues are impacting farmers and land managers on the ground which we will use, alongside other evidence, to inform next steps.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.