NFU President urges Cambridgeshire farmers to keep championing the industry

NFU President Tom Bradshaw urged Cambridgeshire farmers and growers to keep highlighting farming’s vital role in supporting national security, the economy and the environment to MPs and councillors.

Speaking at the NFU Cambridgeshire AGM Mr Bradshaw said it is vital to keep farming firmly on the political agenda.

He said: “Ahead of the next General Election there will be a real fight for the rural vote.

“This gives us a crucial opportunity to get solid commitments from the political parties to deliver the changes our members need.

“We need you to keep getting MPs and councillors from all parties out on farm, highlighting the issues and concerns.

“We do not just stop at scrapping inheritance tax; we need more than that.

“Establishing core standards is vital. The government is allowing food to be imported into this country which would be illegal to produce here. We need a level playing field.

“We have had an outbreak of salmonella this year from eggs imported from Ukraine, produced to lower standards.

“Two people died and our entire egg industry risked being tarnished.

“That demonstrates just how crucial it is to establish core standards.”

Mr Bradshaw told the meeting, held at City of Ely Golf Club on Tuesday, November 10, it is important to build momentum and help MPs, councillors and other key stakeholders to fully understand why the country urgently needs a resilient farming industry.

Mr Bradshaw said: “The government is talking about increasing defence spending to 3% of GDP, which I am in favour of.

“But that will be a complete waste of time and money if they do not help us to build a resilient British food and farming industry to back that up.

“Our country simply has to be able to feed itself and the current geopolitical situation highlights just how important that is.”

Issues discussed during the meeting included the Budget, trade negotiations between the UK and the EU, water security, the government’s environmental support schemes and the need to educate and inspire future generations of farmers.

Despite the current difficulties, Mr Bradshaw said he remains optimistic about the future.

He said: “We have a nation of 70 million people who need food three times a day.

“I know things are very tough out there, but with that customer base on our doorstep there are huge opportunities to grow our industry.

“The NFU will keep pushing for the support we need to be able to do that.”

During the meeting NFU Cambridgeshire Chair Alison Morris and NFU Cambridgeshire Council Representative Mat Smith spoke about the importance of farmers supporting each other and prioritising their physical and mental health.

Miss Morris said: “If you’ve not heard from a friend or relative for a while, give them a call, check they are okay.

“We need to work together to get though these difficult times.”

The meeting also welcomed Megan Hudson as the new NFU Cambridgeshire County Adviser, who has recently replaced Rory Kerr in the role.