Potential MPs urged to get behind agriculture

NFU manifesto to focus on five key areas

The farmers’ union south of the border has called on all prospective parliamentary candidates to back British farming ahead of next month’s general election.

The NFU will today launch its election manifesto which is focused on five key areas.

These are: making Brexit a success; investing for growth; safeguarding short, fair and secure supply chains; placing science at the heart of policy making; and caring for the countryside and rural communities.

“The general election in June provides an opportunity for the farming sector to impress on candidates of all colours the critical value of British farming to our economy, to our wellbeing and to our environment,” said NFU president Meurig Raymond.

“The success of British farming matters to the British electorate – especially at this time of unprecedented change.

“Indeed, YouGov polling commissioned by the NFU this year shows that 85% of people think it is important that Britain has a productive and resilient farming industry.”

He said the farming sector was the most vulnerable sector in Brexit negotiations and it must not be forgotten.

“The nation needs a food and farming industry with a government strategy, it needs a safe food chain, and it needs a government which looks after the countryside and rural communities,” added Mr Raymond.

“In our manifesto, we are setting out five key policy challenges. The British food and farming sector, working alongside government, must address these points in the next Parliament.”