The National Farmers Union has appealed to the industry to respond to the biggest farming consultation since 1947, with the deadline just days away.
Defra's command paper 'Health and Harmony: the future for food, farming and the environment in a Green Brexit' is a once in a generation chance to ensure farming’s voice is heard when it matters – as the UK government shapes future agriculture policy.
The NFU said the decisions made today will impact food and farming for years to come. The deadline for the consultation is 8th of May.
The farming union has highlighted three key areas that it feels are crucial. Firstly, food production - the union said maintaining a robust and resilient domestic food production sector is in the nation’s interest.
Secondly trade - the NFU said it is essential that government trade policy ensures that the industry's current world leading production standards are not undermined.
And thirdly the environment - producing food in a productive and resource efficient way brings environmental benefits for the UK and the world, the union explained.
NFU President Minette Batters said it is both a "historic and influential time" for the farming sector with the current consultation looking to develop future farming policy.
“This is the time for the voice of farming to be heard loud and clear. It is also fantastic to see such a positive response from people out in force on social media and online saying why they think British food farming is so important to the nation, both now and post-Brexit,” Mrs Batters said.
“The Government’s Health and Harmony consultation gives every single person in this country the chance to make clear the importance of British food and farming to the nation.”
Ways to respond
Responding directly via the government’s website. This involves completing a web-based questionnaire. You do not have to reply to all of the questions that are posed.
Responding via email: agricultureconsultation@defra.gsi.gov.uk
Farmers wishing to do this option should either address the specific questions set out in the command paper, or provide more general views and feedback.
The NFU suggests sticking to the themes and areas of questioning in the command paper. This will make it easier for Defra to collate the feedback.
