Industry speaks as one to demand clarity

Agricultural organisations from across the UK have formed a united front to demand the industry’s voice is heard ahead of the general election on June 8.

Countryside bodies which do not always see eye to eye joined a ‘Farming Brexit Roundtable’ which will be chaired by the English NFU’s deputy president, Minette Batters.

NFU Scotland, Scottish Land and Estates, the Soil Association and the Tenant Farmers Association are all members of the group, and they describe the next six weeks a uniquely important time ahead of what could be the “most pivotal election campaign for decades”.

At their first meeting the organisations urged political parties to recognise the importance of agriculture to the economy and the country as a whole.

They also called on parties to set out clear policies that work for farm businesses to give the industry certainty during the Brexit negotiations and beyond the point at which the UK leaves the European Union.

“Our organisations welcome the commitment to honour EU payments until 2020, but farming is a long-term business,” a joint statement said.

“Frankly, the value of the assurance, given in August 2016, diminishes with each passing day.

“Farm businesses need to know the long-term plans of our political parties over the next decade, not just the next two years. So we urge all parties to make their plans clear in their respective manifestos to give farmers the stability required to instil confidence for the future.

“We also considered the trading relationship in which farming will find itself post-Brexit. It’s clear that there is a pressing need to secure continuing access to the European Union marketplace as a priority.

“The vast majority of food exports are to the EU, lamb and cereals being good examples. So every sector needs there to be free and frictionless trade with the EU to thrive long-term, or face economic calamity of over-supplied domestic markets.

“Whatever the final outcome of the general election, the next government must secure a phased transition to the new trading agreements.”

Other members of the group are NFU, NFU Cymru, Country Land and Business Association, British Poultry Council, National Beef Association, National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs, National Pig Association and the Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers.

Minette Batters is the English NFU’s deputy president.