The NFU has secured a prime spot at both the 2024 Labour and Conservative party conferences. We will also be hosting an evening reception at the Liberal Democrats’ party conference.
What are party conferences?
Every year, UK political parties hold their annual conferences. Thousands of people including politicians, party members and stakeholders such as thinktanks, media outlets and charities attend.
Given the inflationary pressures weighing on families and farmers up and down the country, we will be asking how all parties will ensure British farming businesses can continue to deliver high-quality, affordable, and climate-friendly food for the nation while also protecting and caring for our environment.
Putting the issues direct to MPs
Our engaging stand brings to life all of our diverse agri-sectors, featuring a glasshouse and milking parlour along with grassland, field margins and trees.
This year, we’re asking political delegates to pledge their support for farming by signing an apple to hang on our tree and we’ll be providing apple juice tastings and samples of cheese to make for a memorable visit.
The stand provides an opportunity for MPs, Peers, and councillors to meet officeholders, directors and the NFU's external affairs team to learn more about farming’s current challenges.
‘Our farmers stand ready to work with policy makers’
Speaking ahead of the conferences, NFU President Tom Bradshaw said: “With a new government and political environment, it’s more important than ever that the NFU is out in force at party conferences to showcase all that British farming delivers for the nation.
“Farmers and growers are the backbone of the UK’s largest manufacturing sector, food and drink, worth a huge £148 billion to the economy and employing more than four million people. Not only do we provide high quality, climate-friendly food for all, but we are the custodians of our much-loved countryside and the protectors of the natural environment.
“However, our members are under immense pressure. Ongoing uncertainty around the Environmental Land Management schemes, concern over losing BPS payments, devastating weather events and relentlessly high production costs have all contributed to a collapse in confidence and pushing the resilience of farming businesses to the brink.
“Our farmers stand ready to work with policy makers to achieve this goal, and that’s what we’ll be highlighting to MPs from all political parties over the next few weeks.”
NFU President Tom Bradshaw
“This is not only threatening the sustainability of British farming, but also having a serious impact on the mental health of the people at its heart. Our members are feeling the strain, and it’s crucial this is recognised.
“At our Back British Farming Day Westminster reception we heard Secretary of State Steve Reed speak about the mental health challenges in the farming community. We now need policy solutions that will help relieve these pressures, on top of supporting homegrown food production and boosting our national food security. With the budget fast approaching, all parties need to carefully consider how much they value our food security and our environmental ambitions by supporting or delivering a renewed and enhanced agriculture budget to enable a thriving food and farming sector.
“Our farmers stand ready to work with policy makers to achieve this goal, and that’s what we’ll be highlighting to MPs from all political parties over the next few weeks.”
Liberal Democrat party conference
Party conference season kicks off in mid-September as the Liberal Democrats descend on Brighton (14 – 17 September)
NFU Vice President Rachel Hallos will be attending the conference’s flagship ‘business day’.
The NFU will also be hosting a reception that will welcome MPs, Peers, and councillors.
There will be speeches from:
- NFU Vice President Rachel Hallos
- Alistair Carmichael, newly elected Chair of the Efra Committee and MP for Orkney and Shetland
- Tim Farron, MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale.
Labour party conference
The NFU will bring food and farming to the heart of this year’s Labour party conference in Liverpool (22 September – 25 September). Expect the upcoming Autumn Statement to be a key topic of discussion as we engage with MPs on the need for a multi-annual agriculture budget of £5.6 billion.
Conservative party conference
This year, the Conservative party conference will arrive in Birmingham (29 September – 2 October) where the NFU will be delivering a clear message that a multi-year agriculture budget for the duration of the next parliament must be a priority. The NFU’s fringe event will also explore what the Conservative’s offer is to revive rural support.
NFU fringe events
Fringe events are an important part of political party conference activity and a chance for members to get involved. We are hosting fringe events at the Conservative and Labour party conferences, bringing together a range of speakers to discuss the parties’ visions for the future of domestic food production and the policies needed to support a thriving agricultural sector.
