County chair Graham Price, pictured above welcoming show guest NFU Cymru Deputy President Abi Reader (left) and Lord-Lieutenant of Shropshire Anna Turner JP to the one-day farming showcase on Saturday, 25 May, had a strong message for election candidates.
With a General Election called for July 4 and the rural vote up for grabs the show was an important platform for NFU Shropshire to discuss challenges for county family farms and the big choices ahead for its members.
Set against some of the worst winter and spring weather since records began NFU staff and senior officeholders spoke about the work ahead to ensure the contribution of Shropshire farms to food production, the economy, jobs and the environment is not eroded.
Commit and deliver
Graham said: “As we move towards the General Election the farming vote is up for grabs.
“We need to see all political parties commit to and deliver policies that are going to rebuild farmers’ confidence and underpin the vibrant, thriving farming sector that we all want to see in the future.
“For me it is vital the NFU remains solution focused and we as farmers have a lot of ambition about the productive, profitable industry that we want to deliver and the policies that need to be in place for that to happen.
“I would urge prospective political candidates from all parties to get out on farm so we can talk you through the challenges we face and give you an understanding of how to move this industry forward, as we continue to produce high quality food and enhance the environment.
“Farming remains vital for so many reasons and we don’t want to see out contribution eroded, which is why we need firm commitments from the next government.”
“We need to see all political parties commit to and deliver policies that are going to rebuild farmers’ confidence and underpin the vibrant, thriving farming sector that we all want to see in the future.”
Graham Price, NFU Shropshire county chair
Turbulent time
Rob Newbery, NFU Midlands regional director, said the show also provided a chance for farmers to come together and chat socially and that was important given what a turbulent time they had had emotionally and financially over the past six months.
“There are challenges ahead but we will ensure we will do everything in our power to champion our farming families and their businesses so they remain productive, profitable and progressive.
“The NFU have always pushed for more commitment from Government to secure a more resilient and sustainable future and we will ensure our members’ voices are heard during our campaigning for a better deal for all sectors.”