The reception saw a packed room where the NFU welcomed more than 100 attendees including MPs, councillors and stakeholders to hear about the Liberal Democrats’ plan to champion British food and farming.
Attendees at the reception heard speeches from NFU Vice President Rachel Hallos, Liberal Democrat Efra spokesperson Tim Farron MP and the new chair of the Efra Select Committee Alistair Carmichael MP.
There was significant discussion about the NFU’s ask surrounding the urgent need for a renewed and enhanced multi-annual agriculture budget to give farmers the confidence to invest and deliver for food production, the environment and clean energy.
Focus on agriculture budget
In her opening speech, NFU Vice President Rachel Hallos congratulated the Liberal Democrats on their general election success.
The focus then turned to the agriculture budget where Rachel highlighted the Liberal Democrats’ manifesto commitment to invest in domestic food production including properly funding ELMs with an extra £1 billion a year to support profitable, sustainable and nature-friendly farming.
The NFU is calling on the new government to deliver a renewed and enhanced multi-annual agriculture budget of £5.6 billion, so that farmers and growers can continue to produce the raw ingredients that underpin our essential food and drink sector.
Rachel reiterated this to the MPs in the room and noted the huge challenges farmers have faced over the past 18 months, leading to a collapse in farmer confidence.
‘Party for the dry stone wall’
Liberal Democrat Efra spokesperson Tim Farron spoke at the event and stressed that food production and environmental protection go hand in hand.
As MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, Tim spoke about the challenges facing the uplands especially surrounding the impact of the agricultural transition plan. Furthermore, he called for a Tenant Farmer Commissioner and for the Rock Review recommendations to be implemented.
Tim closed his speech by saying that the Liberal Democrats are committed to being the party of the countryside and that “it’s not about the red wall or the blue wall, but it’s about being the party for the dry stone wall”.
The new Chair of the Efra Select Committee Alistair Carmichael spoke about his experiences of being at the sharp end of farming, jumping through the hoops to get into ELMs.
He noted the complexities of government funding saying how sometimes they can work against each other, as his farm is situated in an SSSI.
Food production is a public good
Mr Carmichael was keen to point out that government funding should not be referred to as farm subsidies, stressing that subsidies are there for consumers in order to keep their food healthy and affordable.
He reiterated the NFU call that food production should be a seen as a public good for which funding should be available for and was adamant that farmers are the bedrock of environmental protection.
He also noted the success of Back British Farming Day which took place the previous week and saw 180 MPs and Peers attend the NFU’s parliamentary reception.
He closed his speech by stating that his first priority as the new Efra Committee Chair will be to look at the agriculture budget and to hold government to account on their commitment to roll over the Defra underspend into the new budget for farmers. The second task will be to help put food production back into agricultural policy.
Alongside a successful reception event, NFU Vice President Rachel Hallos attended the Liberal Democrat Business Day where she highlighted the priorities for British farming to key figures in the party including Leader Sir Ed Davey MP, spokesperson for Treasury, Business and Trade Sarah Olney MP and Chief Whip Wendy Chamberlain MP.
The NFU will now be heading to Liverpool for Labour party conference.
