The NFU’s new Food and Farming Fellowship Scheme, in partnership with sponsoring organisations ABP UK, AIC (Agricultural Industries Confederation), Arla Foods, Barfoots, BEIC (British Egg Industry Council) and Fareshare, will showcase the industry and enable participating MPs to see first-hand how sustainable and affordable food gets from field to fork.
The year-long itinerary will cover different farming sectors and concludes with a graduation dinner in Westminster where each MP will be recognised for their work in building up an understanding and knowledge of the UK food and farming industry.
New ‘champion MPs’
NFU President Tom Bradshaw said: “The NFU engages with all political parties to ensure they understand the importance of boosting home-grown food production as well as the work farmers and growers carry out caring for the environment, providing a home for nature and finding solutions to the challenges of climate change.”
He said the scheme is an extension of that campaigning work, designed to create “a new group of champion MPs” who will speak up in their constituencies and Westminster on some of the big issues impacting the industry.
“Along with all our sponsor partners, we will provide those MPs with the tools, knowledge and understanding they need to be able to highlight the critical role of food security in delivering national security and the growth and investment required for the future of British farming, so our farmers and growers can continue producing safe, sustainable and affordable homegrown food alongside caring for the environment,” Tom added.
“We will provide those MPs with the tools, knowledge and understanding they need to be able to highlight the critical role of food security in delivering national security.”
NFU President Tom Bradshaw
Who has signed up?
MPs who have signed up to the NFU Food and Farming Fellowship Scheme are:
- Callum Anderson, Labour MP for Buckingham and Bletchley
- Olivia Bailey, Labour MP for Reading West and Mid Berkshire
- Sam Carling, Labour MP for North West Cambridgeshire
- Lee Dillon, Liberal Democrat MP for Newbery
- Sarah Dyke, Liberal Democrat MP for Glastonbury and Somerton
- Maya Ellis, Labour MP for Ribble Valley
- Catherine Fookes, Labour MP for Monmouthshire
- Julie Minns, Labour MP for Carlisle and North Cumbria
- James Naish, Labour MP for Rushcliffe
- Josh Newbury, Labour MP for Cannock Chase
- Andrew Pakes, Labour MP for Peterborough
- Mike Reader, Labour MP for Northampton South
- Sarah Russell, Labour MP for Congleton
- Rebecca Smith, Conservative MP for South West Devon
- Dr Roz Savage, Liberal Democrat MP for South Cotswolds
- Rachel Taylor, Labour MP for North Warwickshire and Bedworth
- Bradley Thomas, Conservative MP for Bromsgrove
- Michelle Welsh, Labour MP for Sherwood Forest
- Jo White, Labour MP for Bassetlaw
- Steve Witherden, Labour MP for Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr
