On this year’s Back British Farming Day, 180 MPs, Peers and NFU members came together to celebrate Britain’s farmers and growers and to hear the NFU make the case for a greater budget for agriculture ahead of the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement, due to be announced next month.
“This is a pivotal moment for us,” observed NFU President Tom Bradshaw in his opening speech, noting that today marks the first Back British Farming Day with a new government in place.
“We look forward to working with you to deliver on the Labour manifesto commitments, publishing a trade strategy that promotes the highest standards when it comes to food production.
“The recognition that food security is national security is very welcome. It’s long overdue, but it must move beyond words and turn into practical policy that really enables the industry to thrive,” he added.
Budget is ‘immediate priority’
The NFU President called for science and evidence-based policy making, Defra schemes that deliver for farming and the environment, wherever you farm, and a workable planning system for farming.
“But the immediate priority is to secure the investment required to enable our members to deliver the government’s economic and environmental missions all while feeding the nation,” Tom reiterated.
“Key to achieving this is a multi-year budget that gives the confidence to invest in the future,” Tom said, announcing the NFU’s call to action for farmers to write to their MPs, outlining the need for a greater budget for farming.
“The recognition that food security is national security is very welcome. It’s long overdue, but it must move beyond words and turn into practical policy that really enables the industry to thrive.”
NFU President Tom Bradshaw
“Agriculture is a multi-generational industry. We don’t work in months or years, we work in decades and we need that ability to invest for the future.
“In opposition, the new government consistently made clear its commitment to agriculture as a key driver of growth and they must roll over the underspend of over £350 million which was announced yesterday.”
‘Government on your side’
Defra Secretary Steve Reed gave his thanks for the NFU’s support for his and all the political parties during the general election.
“I was all over the country being taken on visits around farms of every shape and variety and I was blown away by the quality of support we were shown.
“Following the election we went from a wretched number of MPs representing rural communities to under 75 representing these communities – that is a big group within the parliamentary Labour Party.
“I know they’ll make their voices heard as part of this government.”
The Defra Secretary said farming is fundamental to all of the government’s missions and that he was aware confidence was at near record lows.
“There is an awful lot to deal with but I am determined this is a government that will be on your side in finding solutions to these challenges.”
Mr Reed referenced Defra’s ‘new deal for farmers’ which includes:
- plans to protect farmers in future trade deals
- making supply chains fairer “and stop farmers and food producers being unfairly squeezed at the bottom of the supply chain"
- a veterinary agreement with the EU to “get food exports moving"
- speeding up the building of flood defences and planning decisions
- a cross-government strategy to tackle rural crime
- rural mental health hubs in every community.
Budget concerns
Responding directly to the NFU’s call for action on the budget, Mr Reed said this will form part of the spending review, “but I’m making the case to the Treasury to maximise support for farmers, I will fight your corner in this process and I’ll confirm plans for the schemes and our wider approach as soon as possible”.
The Defra Secretary committed to working with farmers on all decisions that affect the industry.
The reception, kindly sponsored by Dr Caroline Johnson MP, saw NFU members from across the regions and Wales engage with MPs and explain both the challenges the industry faces and the solutions that the government can implement.
Tom invited MPs in the room to come out on farm and find out how farming shapes their constituency.
“There’s no better way to understand the farming industry than seeing it first-hand and the NFU is here to help,” Tom said.
Senior MPs in attendance included:
- Secretary of State Steve Reed
- Environment Minister Mary Creagh
- Shadow Defra Secretary Steve Barclay
- Deputy Speakers Nusrat Ghani and Caroline Nokes
- Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats Daisy Cooper.
See the day in photos
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NFU President Tom Bradshaw watches on as Defra minister Steve Reed makes his speech
NFU President Tom Bradshaw talking with Sarah Dyke MP
Rachel Hallos and NFU Sugar Board member John Scott
NFU North chair David Hall in conversation with Lisa Smart MP
The wheatsheaf logo to commemorate Back British Farming Day
Jacob Collier MP in conversation with members
NFU Livestock chair David Barton talking with members
