Central Devon is one of the most rural constituencies in England and Mel has been a strong voice for our farming industry.
He led legislation that introduced up to £100million fines for supermarkets that deal unfairly with our farmers and has worked with Bicton College in East Devon to bring more young people into the agriculture industry through apprenticeships.
Mel regularly meets with farmers across the constituency to listen to and act on their concerns and has brought Government ministers to Central Devon (including then Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Michael Gove who visited Chagford) so ministers can hear first-hand the urgent issues facing Devon's farmers.
During 2020 he has spoken in the House of Commons about ensuring a good Brexit deal for Devon's hill farmers and has lobbied the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs George Eustace over the new system of farming subsidies which will replace EU CAP funding, seeking answers on how the new system will work in practice and the need to avoid bogging farmers down in red tape.
Mel is proud to have the Rural Hub of the Devon Federation of Young Farmers based in his constituency in Cheriton Bishop.
