Farming has helped shape the look of Britain – Letwin

Shadow DEFRA secretary Oliver Letwin has stressed the importance of farming’s contribution to the landscape during his speech at the party conference.

Speaking to the Blackpool conference on Wed (Oct 5), Mr Letwin focused on a theme of mankind working with nature.

“The shape and feel of the land of Britain and of the communities that inhabit that land has not been given to us by nature alone, but by mankind farming the land,” he said.

“Nature when it is our enemy is a fearsome enemy, but when we work with nature, it is a great ally.”

Mr Letwin also accused the government of failure to deliver on its agricultural reform pledges or deliver timely payments to farmers.