Peter Kendall kicks off the NFU conference
National Farmers Union president Peter Kendall has kicked off the NFU annual conference in Birmingham with a call for the government and others to take a long-term view of agriculture and its contribution to the national economy.
Mr Kendall quotes the chairman of Rolls Royce who recently said the country needed a broad portfolio of assets. "If you are a one-trick pony you have to hope that people continue to to like your trick. If they stop liking it, you become pet food." Agriculture, Mr Kendall implies, is a crucial asset worth fostering, otherwise I guess, the UK will become even more of a dogs dinner that it currently is.
But the biggest irony is that Mr Kendall's theme of looking long term, means that (as he points out) there's likely to be a Tory government soon. Cosying up to Hilary Benn might, therefore, be wasted effort.
The NFU's leaders should be shouting a round for shadow minister Nick Herbert...be interesting to see who they're entertaining at the bar!
Keep up to date with the NFU conference live on our special report page.