NFU and TFA issue manifestos for farming

With the general election looming, farming organisations have been drawing up their wish lists to present to prospective parliamentary candidates as they embark on the campaign trail.

The NFU says it has five key policy challenges covering Brexit, investment for growth, fairer supply chains, the respect of sound science and caring for the countryside and rural communities.

NFU president Meurig Raymond said: “The success of British farming matters to the British electorate – especially at this time of unprecedented change.

“We can’t ignore that farming is arguably the most vulnerable sector in the Brexit negotiations.

“But the NFU has its sights fixed on solutions and policies to ensure a productive, profitable and progressive farming sector that puts safe, trusted, affordable and quality food on shoppers’ plates.”

See also: Brexit the key general election issue, say farm leaders

Called Back British Farming – Brexit and Beyond, the manifesto sets out agriculture’s economic contribution, supplying 61% of the nation’s food, employing 3.9 million people in the wider food sector and delivering more than £12bn in export earnings.     

It then expands on the five key areas.

In particular, the NFU wants politicians to commit to establishing tariff-free trade with the EU, as well as ensuring access to a competent, reliable workforce.

It also wants a new domestic agricultural policy that promotes productivity, with government spending maintained and with an extended transition period to avoid any sudden drops in income streams.

Investment in growth is also needed, to help farmers grow more and sell more British food, while government should ensure a rapid roll-out of high-speed broadband to rural areas.

The NFU is also calling for better promotion of British food abroad, and a switch in public procurement policies to support domestic food suppliers.

Better country of origin labelling and an extension of the Grocery Code Adjudicator’s powers to protect farmers from unfair practices in the food chain are also highlighted.  

Tenants’ demands

Many of these aspirations are also contained in the manifesto proposals from the Tenant Farmers Association (TFA), issued last week.

In terms of farm support, the TFA is seeking support for a Farm Business Development Scheme, providing annual grants to active farmers for things such as investment in fixed equipment, cost reduction initiatives, protecting against volatility and diversification.

It also recommends a new agri-environment scheme with a menu of options and payment based on outcomes.

And it calls for the use of import substitution tools so the UK can reduce its reliance on imported, temperate food.

“The next government must also grasp the nettle to introduce measures…to encourage longer-term farm business tenancies.”

The Farmers Union of Wales is due to publish its manifesto on Wednesday (3 May), and the Country Land and Business Association will issue its priorities on Friday (5 May).