Suffolk farmer educates Labour MPs on sustainable practices

Three backbench Labour MPs have been shown around a Suffolk arable farm as part of a pan-industry scheme to improve their understanding of the contribution farming makes to the environment while producing affordable food.

James Naish, MP for Rushcliffe, Josh Newbury, MP for Cannock Chase, and Maya Ellis, MP for Ribble Valley, visited Lodge Farm, Westhorpe, near Stowmarket, as part of the NFU Food and Farming Fellowship Scheme.

See also: How to host MPs on farm and influence ag policy

The scheme aims to showcase the industry to MPs from all political parties.

It was launched last year in partnership with meat processor ABP UK, the Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC), dairy company Arla Foods, vegetable producer Barfoots, the British Egg Industry Council and food charity Fareshare. 

AIC head of policy Ed Barker, who hosted the tour on his family’s 513ha farm, said:

“It was great to be able to demonstrate how arable farms are run, and show the positive work farmers do to support the environment – and to help the MPs understand the pressures and challenges farmers are facing on the ground.”

As well as producing crops for food, the MPs heard about the many environmental successes achieved on the farm, in part through the Sustainable Farming Incentive.

The farm’s methods for optimising the use of fertilisers and pesticides were demonstrated, and the MPs heard more about ongoing work to support biodiversity and reduce carbon emissions.

The Big Farmland Bird Count, for example, run by the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust, was first launched at the Barkers’ farm in 2014.

The project encourages farmers and land managers to record the bird species and numbers on their farms.

Lapwings, skylarks and turtle doves are among the rare bird species regularly seen on the Barkers’ farm.

The MPs also learned about the importance of soil health in arable farming and supporting the environment.