Some of you may remember an old game show called Win, Lose or Draw which was little more than a TV version of the Pictionary board game. It seems fitting to reference it here because to gain wins for our industry we need to set out very clearly and precisely what the problem is, why we need support, and how it can be rectified. Sometimes it is a matter of just joining the dots to make government or industry understand the need to act, at other times we have to start with a blank sheet of paper and build policy from the ground up.
I’m absolutely delighted that the NFU’s persistence has led to a win for nursery businesses. Intense campaigning by the NFU has led to a Government decision that ensures nursery growers are treated equally to other agricultural businesses regarding business rates. You can read more about it here. What this shows is that by making a compelling and evidence-based case, the NFU’s approach to lobbying can be incredibly effective.
At the NFU conference in February, Secretary of State, Michael Gove, said “The NFU has put forward strong, and to my mind, compelling arguments for a seasonal agricultural workers scheme.” It was very concerning, therefore, that the Home Office minister, Caroline Noked, when questioned by a recent EFRA select committee inquiry, did little to give us confidence of action any time soon. It is clear that many MP’s, particularly those on the committee, recognise the need for action sooner rather than later, but it appears there are still a number of political barriers to overcome. We will, of course, keep providing up to date evidence and seeking commitment from government that we will continue to have access to sufficient workers through the transition period and beyond.
The NFU is only as strong as its members, and for anyone that hasn’t yet managed to attend one of the NFU’s Command Paper meetings across the country, there are still a handful of meetings taking place over the next week. I would encourage you to go along to make sure you can have your say and find out how you can help us secure a positive future for farming in the UK.
We have to accept that we will never get everything we want or need, particularly at a time when government is trying to balance the needs of every industry across the UK. So sometimes it’s just as important for the NFU to be honest with members and manage their expectations. But, win, lose or draw, we will always work tirelessly on your behalf.