On Wednesday 11th June, I met organic farmers and environmental workers in Westminster to help launch a new national campaign to boost environmental and land-based skills.

The campaign – Skills for our Nation – was launched in Victoria Tower Gardens next to the House of Commons to highlight the vital role that the environmental and land-based industries play in the UK economy. Rising food costs and greater demand for food production means it is even more important that the UK has a highly trained workforce in the environmental and land-based sector.

I met organic farmer Ian Nelson (see photo) and representatives of UK farmers markets to discuss concerns about the growing market for UK produce. I also met with representatives of the farming community and other environmental jobs, including conservation volunteers, animal welfare workers, tree specialists and florists. The campaign has been launched by Lantra, the Sector Skills Council for land-based and environmental industries.

The new campaign is calling for a renewed effort to boost skills in the environmental and land-based sectors. Lantra estimates that over the next 10 years the environmental and land-based sector will need an additional 215,000 mainly skilled and management level workers. The average age for someone working in agriculture is 49 years old, the oldest for any sector in the UK; and only 7 per cent on the workforce and aged 25 and under.

The environmental and land-based industries make a huge contribution to our economy. From my own post bag, I know that people are interested in food costs and the environment and how they impact on our local community. So, I welcome this new campaign to help boost skills in the environmental sector and working to open up more job opportunities in our area.