‘British farmers must be suppliers of choice’

NFU calls for new policy after UK leaves the EU

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

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

This should be led by new rules for British procurement, the union’s president Minette Batters said, meaning schools, hospitals, hotels and restaurants should all source British-assured ingredients wherever possible.

After a series of meetings with its members, the farming group, which represents 55,000 farmers in England and Wales, has outlined its vision for what the future should look like when the UK leaves the EU-wide Common Agricultural Policy.

A domestic replacement for the EU policy which sees farmers paid subsidies has been the centre of a Government consultation which closes today.

The Government has protected subsidy payments for a twoyear transitional period after Brexit but its Command Paper on which farmers have been consulted acknowledges calls for taxpayers’ money to be spent only on public goods such as protecting landscapes and wildlife and preventing flooding, rather than the current system of payments for owning land.

Although the NFU supports payment reforms, it insists that continued financial support is necessary to enable farmers to be productive and deliver and maintain environmental enhancements in a prevailing climate of low market returns.

The NFU says food production must be recognised as being in the national interest and that the public already benefits from a sufficient degree of selfsufficiency, safe and traceable domestic food supplies, agricultural jobs and investment and high standards of welfare and environmental protection that must not be eroded by cheaper food imports made to different standards.

Yet the NFU is concerned that the Government’s proposals are at times contradictory, with a tension between its international trading objectives and its demands of its domestic industry.

Ms Batters said farmers are ready for change but it must be fair and equitable industry-wide.

She 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 growers to remain the number 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 different 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.”

EVEN IF the Government – and the most passionate Brexiteers – still don’t know how Britain will function or fare when the country leaves the European Union in March next year, the outlook of farming leaders is more certain and confident.

This is borne out by the policy submission that the National Farmers’ Union is sending to Environment Secretary Michael Gove today. “I am clear on what success will look like. I want British farmers and growers to remain the number one supplier of choice to the UK market,” declares Minette Batters, its recently elected president.

Brexit critics will, inevitably, interpret this as a coded warning that the agricultural industry could lose out. This would be disingenuous. Ms Batters, a born optimist, does say that she wants consumers to “enjoy more sustainable, quality, affordable British food at a range of different prices that suit all incomes”.

However this ambition should be tempered by some realism. While the NFU believes that productivity, environment and volatility should be the three cornerstones of future policy as it prepares for the biggest upheaval since the adoption of the Common Agricultural Policy 45 years ago, the opportunities will only be realised if key challenges can be overcome.

First, the escalating row over customs arrangements impinges upon all future trade – farm produce included. Second, Ministers don’t realise the importance of migrant labour to many farm businesses – particularly the harvesting of fruit and vegetable crops. Third, the potential merger of Asda and Sainsbury’s could be so serious that leading East Yorkshire farmer Lord Haskins, the former chairman of Northern Foods, has suggested the return of the Milk Marketing Board to protect the financial interests of dairy farmers.

These are just three obstacles. There are many more. Yet, perhaps, the biggest threat to farming’s future is the Rural Payments Agency – the body that distributes subsidies. Irrespective of how the system is reformed to take account of Mr Gove’s environmental agenda, it does not have a track record for competence.

And, unless Defra invests time – and money – ensuring it is Brexitproofed and fit for purpose, the NFU’s optimism will be shortlived.