Farming and food must be focus of election agenda
The importance of farming and food production is top of the agenda for the region’s farmers in the run up to next year’s general election as NFU launches its election manifesto.
The key messages of investment, environment, science and technology surround the NFU’s core message of "How do we produce more with less impact on the environment?" The manifesto will form the basis of debate at the party conferences starting this Saturday with the Lib Dems’ event and from then until the general election next year, it will be the industry’s "shopping list" of issues and priorities.
NFU regional director, Richard Hezlet said: "Food security has shot up the agenda this year as politicians have suddenly become aware of the many challenges we all face. In terms of burgeoning world populations, climate change and the world-wide recession, food production and supply have now become hugely important issues.
"The manifesto highlights what the NFU would like to see an incoming Government do to help ensure agriculture is fully equipped to meet these challenges. Among the priorities highlighted are protection of farmland from flooding and coastal inundation, increased funding for research and development and promotion of renewable and sustainable energy production, putting farming firmly on the political radar.
"Its themes are of fundamental importance to the future of our industry, particularly as the need to produce more food becomes ever more apparent. Farming can provide some of the solutions and this needs to be recognised by our politicians."
Speaking at the launch, NFU President, Peter Kendall said: "With a general election due next year, and the possibility we could be facing a very different political landscape, this is our opportunity to set out the actions we would like an incoming Government to take to allow the industry to respond to change and continue to provide solutions to the nation."
Backing up the manifesto is NFU’s new "Why Farming Matters More Than Ever" document, an up-date of the campaign launched three years ago. It highlights the key roles farming has in producing safe, sustainable food whilst impacting less on the environment and focuses on its major contribution to the economy of the nation.
