National Farmers’ Union Christmas Event

I caught up with Minette Batters the President of the National Farmers Union (NFU) on Monday 11 December 2023 at the NFU Christmas Event to discuss the latest farming manifesto. The NFU highlighted four main policy priorities the public think would show greater respect to farmers:

• a long-term plan for food and farming;
• a more powerful grocery regulator to ensure that farmers and growers are treated fairly;
• prioritising British domestic food production in the budget; and
• ensuring that more food in our schools and hospitals comes from British farmers.

The NFU undertook a survery of the public, food and farming came second to only healthcare and pharmaceuticals. The survey showed: 

What the public said:

• 91% think that farmers are important to ensuring supermarket shelves are stocked with food.
• 89% say farmers have an important role to play in protecting our countryside and natural environment. 
• 86% say farmers are very important to the future of rural communities.
• 84% think food production targets are either important or more important than environmental targets for farming.
• 82% say it would be a good idea for the government to set targets to increase British food production
• 79% think farmers have an important role to play in tackling climate change and balancing carbon emissions. 
• 75% think the creation of a SAGE (Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies) committee for food, farming and agriculture is a good idea to help the government better plan and navigate food and farming emergencies in the UK. 
• 71% say that rural crime should be treated more seriously by the police.
• 71% say farmers don’t get enough credit for keeping food on our shelves. 

This is a very important sector.  you can find out more by visiting: nfuonline.com