The National Farmers Union has today met with the new Defra Secretary of State and outlined an ambitious vision for UK agriculture.
NFU President Meurig Raymond held talks with Andrea Leadsom MP to stress to the new Secretary of State the importance of food and farming and its strategic relevance to the country.
Mr Raymond outlined the work being done by the NFU as the union holds its largest consultation in living memory speaking with its 47,000 farmer and grower members.
The results will form the basis for its hopes for a future domestic agriculture policy and will be shared with the new Defra team.
Developing a domestic agricultural policy
"Discussions with the new Secretary of State today have focused on how the NFU and the Government could work together on preparing for Brexit and the development of a domestic agricultural policy" said My Raymond.
"I aim to share our work with the Secretary of State as I hope it will be of great help to Defra as they develop future polices regarding the food and farming sector.
"I told Mrs Leadsom the importance of the NFU and the farming industry working closely with Defra to get the best possible access to markets both in Europe and the rest of the world.
"We want to help shape a new domestic agricultural policy which is adapted to the needs of our farmers and food production which delivers public goods.
"We want to work together to put in place enablers for improved competitiveness including access to labour.
'Profitable, productive and innovative'
"In return the country will feel the benefits of a profitable, productive and innovative food and farming industry which is committed to delivering improvements in health, wealth and environment for the British people.
"With a shared vision in place that delivers for the economy, the environment and the British public, the NFU and UK Government can together and ensure that policies are in place so British farming and food production continues to be major part of the economy.
"While at the same time, increasing its capacity to deliver its fundamental objective - producing food for a growing population.
"I have also outlined the immediate issues facing the industry such as loss of labour in the horticultural sector, the future of agri-environment schemes and tackling bovine TB.
"I did raise a number of urgent issues with the Secretary of State that need addressing more immediately; the loss of labour post-Brexit could have a devastating impact on the horticulture industry – not only damaging the competitiveness of the sector but could also, in the most severe cases, lead to a loss of crops.
"We need a continuing commitment from Government to the 25-year TB eradication strategy - as a matter of urgency, Defra needs to issue culling licences to farmers in those areas which Natural England have deemed fit to proceed.
"Also lastly, we need clarity from Government that agreements for thousands of farmers in Countryside Stewardship schemes will be honoured in full."
