For our farmers

THE NFU is aware of the need for British farming to talk about what it delivers for the country and our members know we’re proactive in doing so, despite Agromenes’s column saying the opposite (November 16). We are determined to seek out the opportunities that Brexit might provide—this period of uncertainty is a time for the industry to show leadership and work with Government to ensure and improve the nation’s ability to produce food and nurture the environment. Agromenes was right to highlight farmers’ roles in flood prevention and mitigating climate change, but I would like to add that their planting of wildflowers to enhance biodiversity has more than doubled in the past two years. Moreover, they maintain more than 120,000 miles of public footpaths crisscrossing farmland that COUNTRY LIFE readers use regularly (November 23).

We must also remember that British farms fuel the largest manufacturing industry in the Uk—food and drink— which contributes well over £100 billion to the economy. The Government can’t afford to sideline British food. Meurig Raymond, NFU President

ISHOULD like to add a thought to Agromenes’s article (November 16). As the consequences of Brexit and Donald Trump impact on the economy and our standing in the world, the electorate might change its view on the EU over the next two or three years. The NFU, should, begin to campaign, together with likeminded politicians and organisations, for a second referendum to be held once the divorce proceedings are known. Michael Strauss, Kent