Farmers make pitch to be supplier of choice

British farmers and growers should remain the “number one supplier of choice” to UK consumers after Brexit, farming leaders have urged.

The English National Farmers’ Union wants to see the planned new farming policy after the UK leaves the European Union allow consumers to enjoy more sustainable, quality and affordable British food, whatever their income.

The farming group has outlined its vision for what the future should look like when the UK leaves the Eu-wide common agricultural policy which pays subsidies to farmers, which the government is currently consulting on.

Amid calls for taxpayers’ money only to be spent on “public goods” such as protecting landscapes and wildlife and preventing flooding, rather than the current system of payments for owning land, the NFU has said food production should be recognised as in the national interest.

The UK public benefits from a sufficient degree of self sufficiency, safe and traceable domestic food supplies, agricultural jobs and investment and high standards of welfare and environmental protection, the NFU argues.

It called for policies which are fair to farm businesses, provide a level playing field across the UK and with competitors, and gives time and certainty for farmers to plan, adapt and invest in the future.

And it must ensure public investment remains effective in promoting productivity, helping farmers manage volatile market conditions and fairly rewards environmental action, the NFU urged.

NFU president Minette Batters said: “We are now on the cusp of a pivotal moment, as we leave the common agricultural policy and once again take sovereign control of our agricultural affairs. I am clear on what success will look like.

“I want British farmers and growerstoremainthenumber one supplier of choice to the UK market, and I want British people to be able to enjoy more sustainable, quality, affordable British food at a range of prices that suit all incomes.

“A future farm policy could uplift British farming’s ability to produce food for the nation, giving us greater security in the supply of safe, traceable and quality British food that the public trust.

“The policy could further enhance our reputation for high-welfare British food, which delivers for the environment, across the world.”

0 Farmers want to be supported in their efforts to produce food for consumers across the UK