Graham Stuart, Conservative MP for Beverley and Holderness, found that Mr Benn, MP for Leeds Central, had only made a handful of visits to farms in the eleven months since he became Secretary of State in the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

An answer to Mr Stuart's Parliamentary Question showed Mr Benn had visited just one farm in London, one in the South-West and one in the East of England. He had also visited two farms in the North-West.

Now Mr Stuart is calling for a firmer commitment to farmers. He said: "The Secretary of State does not see it as a priority to meet with farmers, however hard-working he undoubtedly is. It is a reflection of the way this urban-based Government has little interest in, or understanding of, agricultural issues."

A Defra spokesman said: "The Secretary of State works closely with Lord Rooker, the Minister for Food and Farming, officials and stakeholders to ensure that the farming industry is equipped to face up to the challenges of climate change and sustainable farming, an increasing global population, and adapting to new ways of supplying customers."

Junior Minister Jonathan Shaw said Mr Benn had attended the Royal Show, the Great Yorkshire Show and the Oxford Farming Conference, as well as having a number of meetings with farmers.