THIS week (Tuesday, April 21), I was privileged to host ‘Flavours from Exmoor’ in the Houses of Parliament. Working closely with Emma Thomasson, CEO of Visit Exmoor, my team brought together a cross section of the rural economy, to give Parliamentarians and their staffers the chance to see exactly what Exmoor has to offer.

Flavours from Exmoor has been an event long in the planning – and I was so pleased to see the results of the hard work and efforts which have gone into this pay off. Around the Jubilee Room, we had representatives of the Exmoor National Park, Visit Exmoor, the Exmoor Hill Farming Network, The Exmoor Game School, Exmoor Distillery, Black Bear Brewery, one of the winners of the Exmoor Young and Aspiring Chef of the Year Competitions, and award-winning Wellhayes Vineyard.

Rural areas are often characterised as being wonderfully picturesque landscapes, which only survive on the basis of tourism. That is, in part, true – but there is so much more to rural areas than that, particularly Exmoor, that I just don’t think this Government understands.

Yes, Exmoor is a wonderful place to visit. The local tourism sector is one of the most important drivers of the Exmoor economy. We are rightly proud of the most beautiful National Park in the country, and the fantastic holidays and staycations that you can find across it, whether that’s a cottage right on the Moor, or a rural getaway in the foothills. That visitor economy drives other elements of the rural way of life, drawing in new money to local pubs, shops, and visitor attractions. But that is not all.

Our farming sector is not just vital for food security, but it is also what preserves our fantastic landscape. Food security is national security, as even the Prime Minister (at time of writing) agrees, but it is so much more than that on Exmoor. I was delighted to welcome the Exmoor Hill Farming Network to Parliament for this event, where they were able to showcase some of the spectacular images from the ‘Exmoor Farms: A Year on the Moors’ book.

The Exmoor Game school also came to Parliament for this event, showcasing some of their endeavours, where they reengage people of every age with the origins of their food. Raising awareness of how one can use Game more widely.

But that’s not all a rural area has to offer! Far from it. Rural areas are alive with small and independent businesses, innovating, adding value to their local area, and striving for excellence. Local businesses are wonderful examples of what makes rural entrepreneurs amazing – and it’s exactly why the Government needs to take better care of rural areas, not just in support for the visitor economy, and our farmers, but in supporting rural industry and businesses.

This was a message echoed by the Rt Hon Alastair Carmichael, MP for Orkney and Shetland, and Chair of the EFRA Committee, who I was delighted to introduce as guest speaker for the event. His passion for the rural way of life, and support for Exmoor, was demonstrable in his words, and I only wish Government Ministers paid more attention to the work of his Committee and my Party.

That is my mission. Whilst bringing Exmoor to Parliament is a first step in raising awareness, the next one is bringing Parliament, and Government, to Exmoor, perhaps not literally, but certainly in terms of support. Thanks to the stories shared with me, and tens of other MPs and their staff this week, I continue to advocate for Exmoor.