2021
October
NFU director of trade and business strategy Nick von Westenholz was quoted in a Financial Times article that suggested the UK government is facing fresh accusations from MPs that it is failing to follow through fully on its promise to set up an independent commission to scrutinise post-Brexit trade deals.
September
New Zealand trade deal
NFU President Minette Batters told The Telegraph it was "unforgivable" that the Government was yet to spell out its trade strategy for British farmers while removing barriers to imports from overseas. This came following the news that a trade deal with New Zealand was imminent.
August
Trade strategy
August rolled around and it was made clear that if the government didn’t offer greater clarity on its ambition for farmers soon there’d be trouble ahead. Journalist Anna Isaac quoted NFU Cymru in an article in the Independent on the subject as they suggested the UK's trade strategy for agriculture was overdue.
Trading standards
The NFU was mentioned on 'Secrets of your Supermarket Food' (24:46) as the programme discussed Tesco's practice of using farm names to advertise their products - farms from which the product does not come. The NFU's complaint to trading standards about the practice was discussed.
Post Brexit trade
The Guardian published a feature on the challenges the British sugar beet industry faces, from falling prices to post-Brexit trade deals. NFU Sugar board chairman Michael Sly was quoted in the piece, describing the situation as "a perfect storm".
Also in the news, cricketer Ian Botham was announced as the United Kingdom’s trade envoy to Australia. The story, covered in the Independent, discussed the reasoning for the move and the possible implications of any trade deals on farmers - quoting the NFU.
July
Morrisons takeover
As US investment groups put bids in to buy Morrisons, many outlets looked to the NFU to guage what this would mean for British produce (something the supermarket focuses heavily on). The Telegraph, the Independent and the Times all quoted NFU President Minette Batters who described Morrisons' heritage for buying from British farmers.
Australia trade deal
July rolled on and the last pieces of coverage on the Australian trade deal came in - ITV News released an article discussing Welsh farmers' views on the deal and quoted from NFU Cymru President John Davies.
Towards the end of the month concerns were voiced over the government's delay in responding to the TAC report. The concerns, reported by the Financial Times, were supported by NFU President Minette Batters who said the delay suggested the government is negotiating without a comprehensive trade strategy for food and farming.
June
Australia/UK trade deal
As the broad terms of an Australian/UK trade deal were agreed upon many media outlets looked to farming to gauge a reaction. NFU President Minette Batter was in high demand as she was interviewed for BBC News (25:30), Times Radio (2 hr 8 mins) Sky News and new station GB News. Overall coverage of the NFU perspective on the deal totalled nearly 2000 pieces with a reach of 19.9m people with print articles from the Independent, the Daily Mail, the BBC and the Guardian.
"Leaving the EU this country took a decision to negotiate trade with other countries, but it has to be constructive. We have to stop this focus of writing press releases and developing policy afterwards, we have to have comprehensive policy about what trade infrastructure looks like for agriculture products which we don't have at the moment."
Minette Batters, speaking to Tom Newton Dunn on Times Radio
Elsewhere NFU Deputy President Stuart Roberts was interviewed for Times Radio (9:43) and NFU director of trade and business strategy was interviewed for the the BBC world service.
With the Australia free trade agreement setting a precedent for future deals with other countries, listen to @nvonwestenholz on @BBCNews explain why a strategic plan for UK farming needs to be top of the Government agenda 👇 pic.twitter.com/NtIBFDw4fO
— National Farmers' Union (@NFUtweets) June 16, 2021
BBC Breakfast spent the morning on NFU Uplands forum chair Thomas Binns' farm in Cleethorpes discussing the issue from a farmers perspective, NFU North West regional director David Hall was also interviewed on Thomas' fa
Fantastic interview by @TWBinns on @BBCBreakfast this morning🤗
— National Farmers' Union (@NFUtweets) June 16, 2021
Thomas explained how farmers on the ground feel about the Australia trade deal 👇
BBC Breakfast spent the morning at Thomas' farm, for the first report watch from 15:44 https://t.co/Uf7zdqYqnA pic.twitter.com/4RnzY6iUpr
Other interviews included:
- NFU South East regional board chair David Exwood for Channel 4 News
- NFU member Laurence Matthews for Channel 5 News
- NFU member and livestock farmer Steve Conisbee for ITV News
- NFU Member Rachel Hallos for the BBC
G7
As the G7 in Cornwall approached NFU President Minette implored Boris Johnson to raise the issue of global farming standards and animal welfare, as reported by the Times.
Trade with other nations
NFU President Minette Batters appeared Farming Today to discuss calls for Prime Minister Boris Johnson to showcase his plan for the future of British farming and trade (10:04).
Minette was also quoted in a Times article about the start of government negotiations with the CPTPP group of 11 countries including Canada, Japan, and Mexico.
May
Australia/UK trade deal
NFU President Minette Batters wrote a column for the Mail on Sunday where she stressed farming's concerns over a fully-liberated trade deal and explained how tariff-free food imports from places like Australia and New Zealand could be detrimental to small UK farms due to their lower cost of production.
"This would make life unbearable for small British family farms, which, remember, must respect British laws governing high farm standards.
"It will be all but impossible to compete with vast volumes of imports from the southern hemisphere produced in a very different manner."
“It's clear negotiators from Australia & New Zealand are sticking firm to their hardline demands for the complete removal of tariffs on all their exports to the UK. This would make life unbearable for small British family farms” - @Minette_Batters. [1/4]https://t.co/oWNPjnSar1
— National Farmers' Union (@NFUtweets) May 16, 2021
Minette was also quoted in the Financial Times in a piece which suggested a government split over the Australian trade deal due to concerns around granting tariff-free access to the UK market for Australian farming produce.
This article sparked national broadcast interest which resulted in the NFU President featuring on Channel 4 News, BBC Radio 4 PM (22 mins), Sky News, Times Radio (2hrs 7mins) and LBC.
"We want to just have some checks & balances in place to make sure that farmers in this country are not undermined, which has been a cast iron commitment from the Prime Minister & this government."@Minette_Batters speaking to @IanKingSky this morning on Australia/UK trade 🇦🇺🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/qqrAC7Uy8Q
— National Farmers' Union (@NFUtweets) May 19, 2021
The NFU press team also held a press conference with the Presidents of the four UK farming unions which was attended by nearly 30 journalists.
The NFU's comments on the Australia/UK trade deal have been widely covered in the media, including:
- The Times
- The Daily Telegraph
- The Guardian
- Daily Express
- Financial Times
- Mail on Sunday
- The i
- BBC News
Other interviews include:
- NFU director of trade and business strategy Nick Von Westenholz who spoke live on BBC News
- NFU south east regional chair David Exwood who spoke to BBC Politics South East
2020
November
Future of ELMs
NFU Vice President Tom Bradshaw was interviewed on the BBC World Service to discuss the future of farming payments, explaining that there still needs to be clarity on the ELMs scheme so that farmers can plan ahead and take advantage of the opportunities it offers. Listen from 9 mins 50 secs.
Agriculture Bill becomes law
BBC News and the Daily Mail reported the approval of the Agriculture Act for royal assent, finally making it law. The NFU is quoted highlighting that the law will now play a crucial role in ensuring our farmers are not undercut in future trade deals by food imports that would be illegal to produce here.
NFU celebrates campaign win over trade deal scrutiny
Financial Times, The Guardian, The Times, The Independent and Mail on Sunday all report the government's commitment to placing the Trade and Agriculture Commission (TAC) ‘on a full statutory footing’ to scrutinise trade deals, as well as giving it powers to produce a report about the impact on animal welfare and agriculture of each future deal the Government signs after our European Union exit transition period ends on January 1.
NFU President Minette Batters is quoted calling the decision a a landmark moment for the people of the UK, for our countryside and the future of the food on our plates.
October 2020
Agriculture Bill returns to Parliament
The President featured in an in-depth interview with The Times where she detailed her meeting with the Prime Minister last week and their discussion around trade and food standards.
The Guardian considered the second round of votes on the Agriculture Bill as it headed back to the Lords and carried a quote from Minette highlighting the importance of the Bill for the future of food in this country.
NFU President Minette Batters wrote in the Mail on Sunday thanking supporters of the food standards campaign and explaining why changes to the Bill are needed to give the Trade and Agriculture Commission more teeth and MPs greater scrutiny of trade deals.
In the aftermath of the Common’s vote to defeat the amendment, The Times columnist Alice Thomson wrote a piece outlining why we shouldn’t undermine British farming in trade deals. The paper also published a letter from Mrs Batters giving her positive reaction to the article and highlighting her meeting with the Prime Minister. Three other letters are also featured, all of which state that not enough is being done by the government on this issue.
The Guardian quoted Mrs Batters in its report of the Commons’ vote, where she said that without proper safeguards on future trade deals.
Channel 4 aired its programme Dispatches during the Agriculture Bill debate which looked at the ‘truth behind American food’. NFU President Minette Batters featured saying that British farmers would struggle to compete against food imports produced in ways that would not meet our standards of animal welfare and environmental protection.
#MustWatch 🎬 @C4Dispatches takes a closer look at what is at stake for the food on our plates as the UK negotiates trade deals with other countries such as America. 1/3 pic.twitter.com/MD21msnYsC
— National Farmers' Union (@NFUtweets) October 13, 2020
Ahead of the Commons' debate and vote on the amendment, NFU President Minette Batters’ wrote a column in the Huffinton Post where she argued that we need to see MPs recognising the importance of giving the Commission a leading voice in future trade deals.
NFU President Minette Batters was interviewed on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme about why the NFU is urging MPs to press the government to put in place binding commitments that strengthens MP’s scrutiny of trade deals.
Did you miss NFU President @Minette_Batters on @BBCr4today setting out why MPs must “say it, mean it and put it down in legislation” to ensure British food production is not undermined in future trade deals? Catch up here from 54 mins 20 secs https://t.co/nsjLCE7m59 pic.twitter.com/MW2MWhz6Zk
— National Farmers’ Union (@NFUtweets) October 12, 2020
Minette Batters was interviewed on Matt Chorley’s Times Radio show to debate why protecting standards was not about safety but about cementing Britain’s food values and avoiding British production to be undermined by food imports illegal to produce here.
NFU President @Minette_Batters spoke to @TimesRadio and urged MPs to “put a marker down” to ensure Parliament have the final say on future trade deals ahead of the Agriculture Bill debate tonight. Listen again from 1 hr 40 mins https://t.co/yprosuYZKJ pic.twitter.com/e9sw7YNYB4
— National Farmers’ Union (@NFUtweets) October 12, 2020
Channel 4 aired its programme Dispatches during the Agriculture Bill debate which looked at the ‘truth behind American food’. NFU President Minette Batters featured saying that British farmers would struggle to compete against food imports produced in ways that would not meet our standards of animal welfare and environmental protection.
In the weekend leading to the Agriculture Bill vote, Minette Batters wrote a column for Conservative Home and Daily Mail, arguing that there are no safeguards in domestic law for standards in areas such as animal welfare or environmental protection which can be used to control imports, and called on MPs to make these points loud and clear to government during the Agriculture Bill debate.
The Mail on Sunday's Save our Family Farms campaign continued with Great British Bake-Off judge Prue Leith urging MPs to support British farmers. The NFU’s petition on food standards is referenced in the coverage.
The Guardian and the Financial Times also highlighted the NFU’s call for the government to to press the government to put in place binding commitments that strengthens MP’s scrutiny of trade deals and safeguards our animal welfare and environmental standards.
Great to see @guardian’s coverage of #ConservativePartyConference leading with NFU President @Minette_Batters’ call for government to ‘put down a red line’ in the agricultural bill and ensure the UK’s standards of animal welfare are imposed on imports https://t.co/7JXjFyzedT pic.twitter.com/yLK1rEsaWO
— National Farmers’ Union (@NFUtweets) October 5, 2020
September 2020
National media get behind #BackBritishFarming Day
In an interview with the Financial Times published on #BackBritishFarming Day, NFU President Minette Batters highlighted the NFU’s asks for MPs to support increased scrutiny of trade deals in Parliament. *Please note, the article is behind a paywall*
BBC News, Express online and inews published explainer features highlighting why MPs were wearing the wheat pin badge and call to support Britain”s farmers at the heart of the campaign.
In case you were wondering why MPs are wearing badges with wheat attached…
— BBC Politics (@BBCPolitics) September 9, 2020
Today is Back British Farming day, a day promoted by the National Farmers’ Union https://t.co/iETMIo0dEp pic.twitter.com/4ng6TeyoKO
BBC Radio 2 presenter Zoe Ball name-checked #BackBritishFarming Day live on her breakfast show, reading a letter out from shepherd Carl Franklin in Oxfordshire about to embark on a day’s work.
Thank you @ZoeTheBall for the shout out on #BackBritishFarming Day. It’s great for the @BBCRadio2 Breakfast Show’s 8 million listeners to hear about this. She even gave a shout out to @studentfarmer ambassador Karl Franklin ?????????? pic.twitter.com/L4uR8lIlDs
— National Farmers’ Union (@NFUtweets) September 9, 2020
The day before, NFU’s Staffordshire county chairman Richard Bower hosted BBC Breakfast on his farm to discuss the impact of extreme weather this year on his wheat harvest and used the platform to encourage MPs to wear their wheat pin lapels on #BackBritishFarming Day.
Afterwards, The Guardian’s current affairs columnist Polly Toynbee column explored the #BackBritishFarming campaign and discussed Brexit with sheep farmer Robin Milton and NFU director of EU exit and international trade Nick von Westenholz.
Following a momentous #BackBritishFarming Day, @pollytoynbee ponders what’s next for British farmers still seeking clarity from the government over #Brexit in her latest @guardian column https://t.co/FwAQrDbEGZ
— National Farmers’ Union (@NFUtweets) September 11, 2020
Farmers deliver #BackBritishFarming message across regional media
NFU members had columns published across a breadth of regional media titles, from James Runciman in Eastern Daily Press, Guy Poskitt in the Yorkshire Post, David Ratcliffe in Western Daily Press, Simon Bainbridge in the Newcastle Journal, as well as coverage on the front page of the Western Morning News. The pieces asked the farming community, Westminster and the great British public to unite over the issue of food production standards.
Regional broadcasters also honed in on the #BackBritishFarming campaign with BBC Midlands Today airing interviews with NFU President Minette Batters and Warwickshire farmer Charlie Beaty, making the case for increased scrutiny of trade deals in Parliament.
If you missed NFU President @Minette_Batters’ interview with @bbcmtd on #BackBritishFarming Day, watch back from 18 mins 30secs to hear about our asks for high standards to be maintained in the UK ??
— National Farmers’ Union (@NFUtweets) September 10, 2020
https://t.co/s85QEgKh2U pic.twitter.com/QIATV94tvN
“It’s 100% grass-fed.” Don’t forget to catch up on @GTFarmGirl on @bbcmtd yesterday where she talks about the sheep she grazes on her farm and British lamb’s international reputation as an amazing product ?? Catch up from 9 minutes ??https://t.co/1sRiTJaMTh #BackBritishFarming pic.twitter.com/39w7rPPkDA
— National Farmers’ Union (@NFUtweets) September 10, 2020
Meanwhile, BBC Radio Solent interviewed Hampshire NFU chairman Andrew Mckenzie and ITV Meridian interviewed NFU South East chairman David Exwood and Sussex NFU adviser Romy Jackson.
Celebrities join campaign to protect food standards
The Mail on Sunday coverage of an open letter from an alliance of celebrity chefs and personalities, calling on the prime minister to make a “Brand Britain” which can sell “high-quality food” all over the world, mentioned the NFU’s campaign to protect Britain’s high standards. The letter was later picked up by the ipaper.
In the Daily Mail, BBC Radio 4 Food presenter Sheila Dillon argued for Britain’s animal welfare, environmental protection and high standards of produce not to be put at risk by ruthless competition and a flood of imports produced in ways that would be illegal in the UK.
"Through the vision and dedication of our farmers, Britain is increasingly a global leader in animal welfare, environmental protection and high standards of produce. Now all these achievements are at mortal risk" writes @SheilaDillon in @DailyMailUK ?? https://t.co/GycbpH5x8q
— National Farmers' Union (@NFUtweets) September 21, 2020
Meanwhile, the NFU's campaign also received a mention in Theresa Villier's Mail on Sunday column in which she argued that the world will buy British if the PM makes good on his manifesto pledge.
NFU outlines trade concerns
On BBC Farming Today, NFU EU exit and international trade director Nick von Westenholz explained the impact that any delays at the borders could have on our food.
Did you miss @nvonwestenholz on @BBCFarmingToday over the weekend discussing potential delays at the border due to Brexit and the impact on our food? Catch up from 23 mins https://t.co/wggGhUSd5J pic.twitter.com/x4V0mc1CYy
— National Farmers' Union (@NFUtweets) September 28, 2020
The Telegraph reported the benefits of 'rollover' trade deals that are more a matter of “copying and pasting” those already negotiated between third-party countries and the EU. Nick von Westenholz said there is a concern is that as the EU and UK increase their exports to Japan, the tariff rate quotas will start filling up year on year.
NFU sets out impact of a potential EU Commission ban on food exports
The Telegraph quoted NFU director of EU exit and international trade Nick von Westenholz emphasising that a potential EU ban on food exports would have a devastating impact on British farmers and citizens, even for a short period of time.
Daily Express then reported that European Commission officials will include Britain on a list of countries that can export food and agricultural products to the bloc once new legislation is revealed. The piece carries Nick von Westenholz's quote once again.
On BBC Farming Today, NFU director of EU exit and international trade Nick von Westenholz responded to reported comments from environmnent secretary George Eustice on a no-deal Brexit, emphasising that a free trade deal allowing for zero for zero tariffs is the most desirable outcome. Listen from 30 secs.
August 2020
Self-sufficiency day
The Independent and the New European both picked up on the Mail on Sunday's preview of self-sufficiency day on August 21st, including quotes from NFU President Minette Batters stressing that the day "sends a message" to government for the need to prioritise food.
NFU President Minette Batters was quoted in the Mail on Sunday highlighting that we have to take a different line on food security and the amount of food that is produced here.
Zero-tariff raw sugar quota
On BBC Farming Today, NFU Sugar chairman Michael Sly told Caz Graham that zero tariffs on imported cane sugar will put further market pressure on beet growers, who are already frustrated with the impact of aphids and extreme weather on crops.
On @BBCFarmingToday, @NFUSugar chairman @mhssly explained how a new zero-tariff quota on imported raw sugar will put market pressure on growers already frustrated with the impact of virus yellows and extreme weather on crops. Listen from 9 mins 40 secs https://t.co/MVp6LGRgQc pic.twitter.com/UoAMYQbTck
— National Farmers' Union (@NFUtweets) August 11, 2020
READ MORE: NFU Sugar's position on the issue
July 2020
Food strategy report published
Part One of the National Food Strategy was released with a recommended for a verification scheme to approve imports produced to UK standards. NFU President Minette Batters' comment was picked up in BBC News and the ipaper.
NFU President debuts on Times Radio as Trade & Agriculture Commission launched
MInette Batters told Matt Chorley how the launch of the Trade and Agriculture Bill will allow the NFU to continue fighting for British food standards to be protected in future trade deals.
As the Trade & Agriculture Commission launches, NFU President @Minette_Batters told @timesradio it will:
— National Farmers' Union (@NFUtweets) July 28, 2020
?? Allow MPs to scrutinise trade deals
?? Provide independent, technical advice on what future trade policy should look like
Listen from 53 mins https://t.co/aIzVq98w80 pic.twitter.com/aTgNpmzUI2
Sunday Times profiles NFU President Minette Batters
The Sunday Times profiled Mrs Batters, giving her a platform to talk about food standards, US trade deals and Brexit.
NFU Vice President emphasises the UK's world-leading antibiotic resistance
NFU Vice President Tom Bradshaw told Express.co.uk that chlorinated chicken will not be the main challenge faced by the UK in seeking a trade deal with the US, asking why we would want to undermine our world-leading status when it comes to antibiotic resistance.
Environment and animal welfare groups call for more say over trade deals
The Financial Times reported a letter to international trade secretary Liz Truss, signed by the leaders of more than 20 major environmental and animal welfare groups, that calls on the UK government to give MPs and civil society a bigger say over the content of new trade deals.
Meanwhile, The Independent reflected on the uncertainty surrounding a US trade deal now that a Commission has been set up. Both articles reference the NFU's food standards petition, which reached 1m signatures from the public.
Tim Smith appointed as Trade & Agriculture Commission chairman
The Daily Telegraph reported comments from Tim Smith, former Tesco executive who has been appointed chairman of the Trade and Agriculture Commission, who said policy over trade deals with the US and other countries must be “informed by evidence and expert opinion”. The NFU's lobbying work was referenced in the piece.
Aldi pledges to support British suppliers
The Daily Mirror, Daily Mail, ipaper, and The Independent picked up on Aldi's pledge to never allow chlorinated chicken on their shelves regardless of the outcome of trade negotiations. CEO Giles Hurley said there were no plans to change its commitment to supporting British suppliers and mentioned that Aldi is a signatory to the NFU's Back British Farming campaign.
MPs back calls for Trade & Agriculture Commission to have 'real power'
The Mail on Sunday reported that Boris Johnson has been warned by MPs that the Trade and Agriculture Commission must be given 'real teeth' and must be established on a statutory footing. The article references NFU President Minette Batters also urging the DIT secretary Liz Truss to set out more details to ensure the commission is effective and independent.
WWF UK supports Save our Family Farms campaign
The Mail on Sunday reported the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF) had thrown its its support behind its Save Our Family Farms campaign, warning of an 'unedifying race to the bottom' in food standards if British farmers are forced to compete with inferior foreign imports in an op-ed by WWF-UK chief executive Tanya Steele. The NFU's ongoing food standards petition is mentioned as part of the piece.
June 2020
NFU secures Trade and Agriculture Commission
The national papers cover the NFU's reaction to the news that the government will create an independent commission to advise on post-Brexit agriculture trade policy after 18 months of campaigning. NFU President Minette Batters is quoted across the Financial Times, The Times, The Telegraph, the Daily Express and BBC News recognising this "hugely important development" and expressing interest in working with the government to ensure the commission is genuinely valuable.
On BBC Farming Today, Mrs Batters told Anna Hill that we will be pressing for parliament to have full oversight of trade discussions and that the commission will allow the government to honour its promise not to allow farmers to be undermined by future trade deals. Listen from 9mins 35secs.
Mail on Sunday 'Save our Family Farms' campaign
The Mail on Sunday ran stories on the impact a US trade deal could have on the egg sector, the top chefs declaring their support for the NFU’s trade asks and Neil Hudson MP writing a column on why he rebelled against the government to vote for the standards amendment to the Agriculture Bill. Coverage included a quote from NFU poultry adviser Aimee Mahoney who said the government must not agree to trade deals that would allow fod imports tyhat would be illegal for our farmers to rpoduce here while Neil Hudson referenced the NFU's petition and its 1m signatures.
Will Hutton, principal of Hertford College, Oxford, and co-chair of the Purposeful Company, wrote in The Observer that if there is no deal with the EU, the whole British food supply chain, with its just-in-time delivery and suppliers all over the EU, will disintegrate and that "we're right not to trust what goes into American food". The piece mentions the NFU's work throughout the passage of the Agriculture Bill to ensure the government fulfils its promise to protect Britain's food standards.
NFU reacts to government assurances on food standards
On BBC Radio 4's Today, the programme featured a package highlighting international trade Secretary Liz Truss' assurances that food standards would not be sacrificed in pursuit of a trade deal with the US. When asked why the issue of standards could not simply be left up to consumers, NFU President Minette Batters raised the question of how the public will know where their food has come from when eating out.
Beef farmer Joe Stanley was also featured and said that small businesses would struggle to continue with the increase of lower quality food imports.
Waitrose commits to maintaining high food standards
The Guardian, The Independent and BBC News reported that new boss of Waitrose James Bailey has joined farmers and food campaigners in urging the government to protect food standards in post-Brexit trade deals. The articles refer to how the NFU's campaign to protect British farmers from lower-quality food imports played a role in this decision.
A million people sign NFU's food standards petition
The Daily Mail picks up the Press Association's report that the NFU's food standards petition has hit one million signatures. NFU President Minette Batters is quoted saying the government must now give guarantees to the British people that they have listened to their concerns.
In a column in the Yorkshire Post, NFU President Minette Batters outlined what can be done to ensure British food standards are protected moving forwards.
The NFU's food standards petition success gained more media attention, with it being the focus of a Mail on Sunday report.
The petition also made the front page of Western Morning News, emphasising the overwhelming support for British farmers and that over 78,000 people also wrote to their MPs.
As the NFU's food standards petition neared 1m signatures, Mrs Batters talked to BBC Radio 4's PM programme in an 8-minute slot with Evan Davis to discuss the NFU’s work on food standards and the success of our petition. The petition later hit 1m signatures!
On BBC Farming Today's Anna Hill, Mrs Batters emphasised why it is imperative for the UK to maintain its food standards whilst negotiating new trade deals with the European Union and the USA and why she rejects the view by some commentators that the NFU is being protectionist in its approach.
“All we are asking for is fair terms of trade that do not undermine our farmers” NFU President @Minette_Batters tells @BBCFarmingToday that our petition asks for a Trade, Food & Farming Standards Commission to review government policy. Listen from 8 mins ??https://t.co/2L466PZ8T4 pic.twitter.com/vLFMzedST4
— National Farmers' Union (@NFUtweets) June 17, 2020
TV chefs back British Farming
TV chefs Jamie Oliver and Jamie Doherty publicly supported British farmers with both writing columns in the Mail on Sunday. Jamie Oliver argued that his campaign to halve childhood obesity by 2030 will not be achieved by allowing trade deals that will undercut British farmers and drive a race to the bottom in food standards while Jamie Doherty said that importing food that would be llegal to produce in the UK "makes a mockery of everything British farmers have been trying to do for the past 20 years."
"We currently have one of the safest food systems in the world, yet we are in danger of giving it up." Great article from @jimmysfarm in today's @MailOnline about the importance of not undermining our #WorldLeading standards in future trade deals ?? https://t.co/FMiFixP1a7 [1/4]
— National Farmers' Union (@NFUtweets) June 14, 2020
The Financial Times’ big read reflected on the tensions over food security that are now playing out in the UK-EU trade talks, with the threat of a no-deal Brexit highlighted by NFU President Minette Batters as potentially “disastrous”.
Read more coverage on the NFU's petition in The Telegraph, The Guardian, i paper and Daily Express?.
Other trade news
The Daily Telegraph reported warnings from France's Europe Minister on Friday that Britain cannot afford a no-trade deal exit because of the economic impact of coronavirus following the passing of a report that said any EU tariffs would target agricultural products such as Welsh lamb. NFU President Minette Batters is quoted highlighting the urgency needed to ensure the UK's relationship is maintained through a zero tariff, zero quota agreement.
The Financial Times' long-read delved into the challenges ministers are facing in protecting British agriculture while delivering on Brexit promises. The NFU's petition on food standards is mentioned and the huge amount of public support it has galvanised.
May 2020
Reports of dual tariff scheme proposed by government
Follwing coverage in The Telegraph (see below) of a proposed dual tariff system in a US trade deal, The Independent reported a backlash, with the NFU's argument that trade agreements shouldn’t allow the import of food that would be illegal to produce in the UK and that an independent commission should be set up to review trade agreements included.
The Daily Telegraph reported that the latest Government proposal for a trade deal with the US would impose different levels of duty on imported foods, depending on whether they comply with UK animal welfare standards. NFU President Minette Batters is quoted describing the scheme as "a significant step forwards" because it would prevent the US from flooding the UK market with cheap food produced using techniques banned in Britain.
Daily Mail food standards campaign
In one weekend, the Daily Mail featured more than five articles focussed on food standards ahead of international trade agreements:
One article reported the NFU’s concerns that international trade secretary Liz Truss will give way on vital areas of environmental and animal rights standards in a US trade deal, quoting NFU President Minette Batters saying that Brexit was meant to be about the creation of a bigger, better Britain, not turning us into a pariah state with no consideration for animal welfare.
NFU director of EU exit and international trade Nick von Westenholz is also quoted in a Daily Mail story looking at the increase in sales of antibiotics in the US, highlighting that low-cost US food imports could spark a race to the bottom as the competition forces more UK farms to adopt industrial practices to survive.
Mr von Westenholz also featured on Mail+’s The Daily Show podcast with Andrew Pierce, talking about the implications for British farmers of a US trade deal.
Meanwhile, an op-ed from former MP Sir Nicholas Soames also ran in the Mail on Sunday, in which he urged government not to undercut "the very standards we rightly demand at home" and backed the NFU’s call for a Food and Standards Commission.
Trade Bill debate in Commons
The Press Association covered the NFU’s letter to MPs urging them to ask how the Government will honour its manifesto pledge that environmental and animal welfare standards for food produced in the UK will not be undermined in future trade policy. NFU President Minette Batters is quoted asking MPs to “speak up for British farming'' as the Bill began its passage through Parliament. The PA's article was shared across all newswires.
The Guardian also reported NFU President Minette Batters' asks that any future trade policy ensures that any agri-food imports meet our own food production standards.
UK/US trade
The Daily Telegraph reported a warning from former Defra Secretary Theresa Villiers that British farmers “will go out of business” as a consequence of a trade deal with the US. NFU President Minette Batters is quoted saying that she would support a UK-US trade deal as long as all imports meet the same legal standards that UK farmers adhere to.
The Financial Times covered reports of government plans to slash tariffs on US agricultural imports to advance progress on a trade deal. NFU director of EU exit and international trade Nick von Westenholz is quoted saying any concessions on market access must be accompanied by clear conditions on how agri-food goods have been produced.
The Independent also covered the story quoting Mr von Westenholz, who said the proposals represent a clear breach of the government’s own explicit red lines in trade negotiations.
The Daily Express reported tensions between Britain and the EU flaring up around a post-Brexit trade deal and references Mr von Westenholz' comments around reports that the government plans to scrap tariffs on US imports.
Green MP Caroline Lucas mentioned the NFU’s ‘alarm’ about these proposals in a piece for the New Statesman, where she criticised the Trade Bill for not including measures to protect food standards and our farmers.
Agriculture Bill debate in Commons
Ahead of the Agriculture Bill returning to the Commons, BBC Farming Today, interviewed NFU director of EU exit and international trade Nick von Westenholz about the NFU's asks.
NFU Brexit director @nvonwestenholz tells @BBCFarmingToday that British farmers must not be undermined by imports that have been produced to lesser standards.
— National Farmers' Union (@NFUtweets) May 12, 2020
This is your last chance to email your MP before tomorrow’s #AgBill debate. Make you voice heard https://t.co/7z0J9LWtwc pic.twitter.com/YryuTZSK8A
The Press Association reported NFU President Minette Batters' comments expressing concerns that the Agriculture Bill needs to change to reflect learnings from the COVID-19 pandemic. The article also mentioned the NFU's calls for food security to be monitored on an annual basis and for the launch of a trade and standards commission.
The Daily Telegraph reported on the Agriculture Bill's return to Parliament and featured quotes from the NFU's letter to MPs, the Soil Association and The Wildlife Trusts.
BBC Farming Today summarised the industry's concerns over the Agriculture Bill, and included a clip of NFU President Minette Batters NFU Conference saying that British farmers should not be undermined by food imports that would be illegal to produce in the UK.
Following the Bill's passage through the Commons, the Metro mentioned the NFU's efforts to urge MPs to support tabled amendmentsm as part of a wider piece about Conservative MP Andrew Percy.
March 2020
Post-Brexit trade
NFU director of EU exit and international trade Nick von Westenholz was quoted in Politico's analysis of the resumption of UK-US trade negotiations, highlighting concerns that Britain will allow the import of cheap animal products that are produced to lower standards.
On BBC Countryfile, Tom Heap interviewed members Joe Stanley and Simon Barton on the importance of balancing the opportunities for exporting sustainable British produce with the need to ensure that British food standards are not undermined.
In her column in The Times, Alice Thomson referenced NFU President Minette Batters’ point that it would be environmentally insane to import food by ship and plane from less fertile countries, when Britain’s climate provides ideal conditions for farming.
NFU President Minette Batters wrote a column for the Irish Independent arguing that the UK government must consider trade opportunities against the risk of undermining Britain's food production system by importing food produced to lower standards.
NFU President Minette Batters reinforced the food standards message in a Daily Express article about Department for International Trade analysis which showed the British economy would be, at most, 0.16% better of by a trade deal with the US.
ExpressOnline reported George Eustice's comments insisting that British food standards will be protected in any trade deal with the US. NFU President Minette Batters is quoted from NFU Conference voicing concerns about the lack of concrete assurances.
NFU President Minette Batters appeared live on Sky News’ Sophy Ridge on Sunday where she said it is paramount any food imports meet the same standards we have here.
Mrs Batters' interview on Sophy Ridge resulted in other print coverage, including inThe Sun, Daily Express, The Independent and Daily Mirror.
February 2020
NFU Conference
Several national papers reported onNFU President Minette Batters’ opening speech at NFU Conference 2020, highlighting her comments around avoiding trade deals that would allow imports of food that would be illegal to produce here.
Read more in The Telegraph, The Guardian, The Independent, and the Daily Mirror.
January 2020
Brexit Day
The day after the UK officially left the EU, NFU President Minette Batters wrote a column in The Independent showcasing the opportunity for Britain to become a global leader in food, and calls for Prime Minister Boris Johnson to legislate that any food imports will meet our own high production standards.
On Brexit Day, NFU President Minette Batters was interviewed on BBC Radio 4 Today where she reiterated the importance of prioritising food production standards in international trade deals. NFU uplands forum chairman Thomas Binns was interviewed on the porgramme talking about how trade negotiations could play out for livestock farmers.
Mrs Batters also appeared on BBC1's Question Time where she debated the direction of trade negotiations with James Cleverly MP.
‘We have got some of the highest animal welfare standards in the world’
— BBC Question Time (@bbcquestiontime) January 30, 2020
'We’ve always said we want to maintain our standards, the point is about imports that come into this country'@JamesCleverly and @Minette_Batters clash on gov’t plans for food standards post-Brexit. #bbcqt pic.twitter.com/r53CnTOe8E
Industry call to action on food standards
The Daily Telegraph’s front page reported a joint call to action in a letter to the Prime Minister from farming, wildlife and environmental organisations for food standards to be enshrined in law after we leave the EU.
NFU President Minette Batters is featured in The Times, highlighting that a failure to set a fair baseline for British and foreign agricultural goods could drive UK farms out of business.
New Years' message from NFU President
Multiple outlets covered NFU President Minette Batters' New Year message, including the Mail Online and Daily Telegraph, which highlighted the NFU’s net zero plans and its asks on maintaining high food and farming standards on food imports post-Brexit.
NFU President Minette Batters was interviewed on Sky News to say that the government’s commitment to continue the same levels of farm funding for 2020 will help farmers manage risk, but that all food imports should be produced to at least the same standards as are legally required of UK farmers.
Oxford Farming Conference
NFU President Minette Batters spoke to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme ahead of Oxford Farming Conference and explained the importance of bringing together experts in a Trade and Standards Commission to scrutinise future free trade agreements.
On @BBCr4today this morning, NFU President @Minette_Batters called on the Government to honour its promise to form a trade and standards commission to ensure we do not import food that would be illegal to produce in this country ? Listen from 54 mins https://t.co/vVXrnaGoal pic.twitter.com/o1mVd2cZsT
— National Farmers' Union (@NFUtweets) January 8, 2020
BBC Farming Today reported from both days at the OFC, and included NFU President Minette Batters’ call for a trade and standards commission to scrutinise future trade negotiations.
Agriculture Bill confirmed for January 2020
Press Association and The Daily Telegraph report that Defra Secretary of State Theresa Villiers has confirmed the Agriculture Bill will be introduced this month to Parliament. Mrs Batters is quoted heavily throughout the articles.
Mrs Batters also featured in The Times, highlighting that a failure to set a fair baseline for British and foreign agricultural goods could drive UK farms out of business.
