Influencing the corridors of power

Labour and the Conservatives went head-to-head at the Royal Show, demonstrating that food and farming are of political importance to the current and possibly future government.

The Food Miles campaign was quick to attract support from DEFRA secretary David Miliband and Conservative leader David Cameron both of whom were vociferous in their backing at the show.

Mr Miliband presented prizes for the Low Food Miles lunchbox competition.

“The children have really grasped the important contribution that buying locally produced food can make to preserving the environment.

It’s very pleasing to see,” he said.

The Conservative leader – who attended the supermarket petition presentation – said:

“I am a great supporter of the campaign.

It is highlighting an issue that for too long has been overlooked.”

Earlier in the day, in an exclusive recorded interview for Farmers Weekly, he said he had even been growing cucumbers two feet from his back door.

“I’ve achieved food inches, not miles,” he said.

And wider support has come from an Early Day Motion tabled by Conservative MP Geoffrey Clifton-Brown in Westminster.

Over 140 MPs have signed it, making it one of the most popular EDMs currently open.

Farmers Weekly has learned that support from over 100 MPs demonstrates a significant and meaningful endorsement.

In Scotland and Wales similar motions have also been as popular.