Farming vote 'up for grabs' NFU President tells county show

20 May 2024

A man with a microphone standing in front of a colourful backdrop

Picture: NFU President Tom Bradshaw talks to members at Devon County Show 2024

NFU President Tom Bradshaw said that the farming vote was “up for grabs” when he spoke to members on day one of the Devon County Show.

During his first visit to the three-day farming showcase, Mr Bradshaw also reflected on the recent struggles that farmers have experienced and discussed how the NFU plans to continue to push for government to do more to help farmers.

Tom, who was elected President of the NFU in February, said: “As we move into this general election campaign, what I will say to all political parties is that the farming vote is up for grabs.

Rebuilding farmers’ confidence

“It is now down to them to deliver the policies that are going to rebuild farmers’ confidence and are going to make farmers believe that they have a vibrant future.

“What we need is the policies that will underpin the vibrant, thriving farming sector that we all want to see in the future.

“Confidence from our members at the moment is at an all-time low across the country and there’s no wonder why farmers are questioning how viable their futures are.

“With the general election coming up, we are at an absolutely pivotal time.”

NFU President Tom Bradshaw

“With the general election coming up, we are at an absolutely pivotal time.

“It is crucial that politicians from all parties go out to farms so farmers can talk them through their challenges and give them an understanding of how to move this industry forward.”

Meeting with minister

National livestock board chair and Gloucestershire farmer David Barton was at the show on the second day. Mr Barton toured the cattle lines and spoke to Martin Beck, the first police officer in the UK to specialise in livestock theft.

There is often frustration at what appears to be a lack of resources directed to fighting rural crime, but Mr Beck said that he hoped better information sharing between police forces would help improve the situation.

David also took part in a meeting with Farming Minister Mark Spencer MP, who assured members that the Conservative party would back productive agriculture.

Mr Spencer took questions about the introduction of the Livestock Information Programme and the management of Dartmoor, following the publication of the Fursdon report earlier this year.

The NFU Farmer Confidence Survey indicated that a major concern for farmers comes as a result of the recent relentless wet weather with 82% of respondents saying their farm businesses have suffered fairly negative (52%) or very negative impacts (30%), with mixed farms, arable farms and dairy farms having taken the biggest hits.

The NFU is calling for the government to recognise the extraordinary nature of what has been the wettest 18 months since 1836, warning that many farms may be unable to survive.

A Farm to Fork Summit was recently held at Number 10 at which the Prime Minister championed home grown food production.

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