The NFU has set out what it wants from the next elected Government, as five of the main political parties get set to take part in day two of the annual NFU Conference.
Our asks include a robust champion for UK agriculture in European discussions; a comprehensive agri-food strategy to boost UK food production; more power to the Grocery Code Adjudicator; and incentives so farmers can tackle volatility and invest for the future.
NFU President Meurig Raymond said it was vital that whichever party ended up at Number 10, all should take role of British food production extremely seriously to ensure they had the rights policies and tools in place to help the sector grow.
He said: “I want to know how a future Government can back British farmers. I am not asking what farming wants, I’m arguing for what the country needs. Simply, voters expect a British Government to back its own farmers and producers.
“My challenge to Government is this: Ensure you have a robust plan for increasing the productive potential of farming, stimulating investment, providing the tools to manage volatile markets and ensuring that the drive to increase British food production. And ensure this is at the heart of every government department.”
The Conservatives, Labour, Liberal Democrats, Plaid Cymru and UKIP will today take part in a political discussion at our event in Birmingham, in a session hosted by journalist and broadcaster John Humphrys.
