Matt Ware is the NFU's head of government and parliamentary affairs, based in our Westminster office.
He writes:
More from Matt...
NFU Political - championing British farming this election - 'With the tightest General Election in modern political history, the rural vote is arguably the big battle ground.'
2 APR - Farming must be a priority for election hopefuls - 'With the election of the first MP for UKIP, the run-up to the General Election in May promises to deliver some interesting times ahead.'
10 Oct: Political lobbying at the heart of agriculture - 'With the election of the first MP for UKIP, the run-up to the General Election in May promises to deliver some interesting times ahead.'
28 Sept: Support the growth of our British farming industry - Matt reports from our Conservative Party Conference fringe event.
22 September: 47 farming issues for the Labour Party Conference
Read more NFU staff blogs from our roster of farming experts.
Following the success of the cross-party manifesto consensus in 2010 on the Grocery Code Adjudicator and subsequent positive legislation under the last coalition government, it’s good to see that we have a similar unity between the Conservatives, Labour and Liberal Democrats for a longer term food growth plan or strategy.
But sucha long-term strategy in itself is no panacea and what is equally important are some short and medium term policies to assist agricultural business in a more immediate and tangible way. It’s therefore good to see cross-party commitment to rolling out broadband, support for strengthening the Grocery Code Adjudicator, for better labelling (particularly of dairy products) and mixed party support on red tape.
What is excellent news is that four of the NFU Manifesto asks have already been implemented, including our suggestions for Grocery Code Adjudicator fines, a review of tractor speed and trailer weights, on the control of horses/fly grazing and on tax averaging.
The areas of greatest divergence from the NFU manifesto and concern to the NFU include the Labour and Green Party stance to not implement the TB eradication strategy, by cancelling the pilot badger culls. We’re also concerned about the aspects of the Green manifesto relating to not following scientific decision-making processes and on banning aspects of conventional or intensive agriculture.
As the UK’s largest food export market and source of support payments is the EU, we would also like to see more detailed policies from UKIP and the Conservatives on dealing with any potential exit from the European Union and how disadvantaging UK food producers and exporters can be avoided.
Overall , the manifesto that provides the closest match to the NFU’s is that of the Conservatives, followed by the Liberal Democrats, UKIP , Labour and then Green.
This election is likely to be the closest and most interesting in modern political history. NFU members and staff throughout England and Wales have been proactively meeting and engaging with Parliamentary candidates from all parties through farm visits, hustings and meetings and promoting the Great British Food Gets My Vote campaign.
We look forward to working constructively with whichever party or coalition of parties are in power to ensure the right environment is created to ensure a productive and profitable farming sector in this country – for the long-term benefit of British food, British consumers and the British economy.