A future Government that understands farm businesses 'is crucial', the NFU have said.
In the lead up to the election, the farmers have embarked on a campaign to meet as many sitting MPs and prospective parliamentary candidates as possible to discuss investing for growth.
The NFU's latest meeting was with Labour’s prospective parliamentary candidate for Bury North, James Frith, who was joined by the party’s Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper MP. Clitheroe based livestock farmer, Thomas Binns, who is the NFU’s North West Chairman, attended the meeting on behalf of local members and questioned the Shadow Home Secretary.
Mr Binns said: “It is common knowledge that we have a growing population in the UK but our capacity to produce food is continually reducing. If we were to only consume British produced food we would run out by August. As this is paramount to our national security what is Labour’s strategy for growth in agriculture?”
Yvette Cooper MP replied: “If we were in Government we would invest in the right sectors and we would make sure food and farming is part of that wider strategy. We would also be keen to look at devolving powers more locally and growth in agriculture fits into devolution. What are our rural assets in the North West? What are the strengths and weaknesses?
“For farming our links to Europe are also crucial. We import but our exports are also very strong. We need to keep and enhance these important trading links but currently there is no vision about how that should happen.”
Local candidate James Frith added: “Any small business has to deal with cash flow issues and red tape and I expect farms are no different. If farmers bring issues to me they will be met with empathy and patience.”
