NFU gears up to put farming on the election map

In what has become an impossible-to-callgeneral election campaign, the NFU’s government and parliamentary affairs team is preparing a"30 to watch...and one to keep watching"list of constituencies which reflect farming interests.

Thirty representative constituencies across England and Waleshave been selected based on:

• Where farmers are standing;

• Where candidates who haveinfluenced the farming agenda in the past or, if elected, could well influence it in the future, are standing;

• Where the farming vote could influence the outcome.

Ahead of the election the NFU’s government and parliamentary affairs advisers will be providing commentary and analysis inrelation tothe 31 constituencies, explaining what the key issues are, who stands for what and whythe outcomes matter. This will be followed by an hour-by-hour analysis of resultsonNFU Onlineas they come inonelection night and into the next day.

The NFUTwitterfeed will also be utilised throughout the night to give views and analysis from the team.

Acting Head of Government and Parliamentary Affairs Julie Robinson said:"The results of this election will be key for the many issues affecting our farmers and growers. They need strong political backing if they are to play their part in tackling the global challenges of increasing population, dwindling resources and climate change.

"For our industry to thrive we need to see farming and growing at the heart of policy-making. The 30 to watch seats we have identified include many of the rural constituencies which are marginal and could make all the difference to the result come election night on May 6."