Tom Bradshaw
NFU President
The resilience of British farming remains the bedrock upon which our national food security is built.
After being pushed to the absolute limit by global geopolitical shocks, price volatility, extreme weather and the threat of changes to inheritance tax, our sector proved it can stand firm against even the most punishing conditions.
But for true resilience to take root, we need more than just survival; we need a policy environment that fosters growth and long-term investment and allows us to farm smarter, not harder, to feed the nation.
British farming underpins the nation’s largest manufacturing sector, food and drink, worth £153 billion to the UK economy.
Working towards profitable farming businesses
We’re working closely with Government to implement recommendations from the recent Farm Profitability Review to help drive competitiveness and create a more collaborative and equitable marketplace.
Creating an enabling planning system will allow farmers to diversify and start investing in on-farm infrastructure such as slurry stores, poultry sheds and reservoirs to support efficient and innovative farming operations.
We need to ensure supply chains are transparent and provide fairer returns for farmers. Our ‘alternating’ climate — from flooding to drought — underlines the urgent need for investment in water management and energy resilience to protect British food production.
Further clarity on the future of environmental schemes is vital so farming businesses can help deliver ambitious biodiversity targets. Globally, growing exports for British food abroad and ensuring imported products meet our own high production standards will ensure we can compete on a level playing field.
We need to ensure supply chains are transparent and provide fairer returns for farmers.
Food system resilience must be a genuine political priority
Critical questions remain about whether food system resilience will be a genuine political priority. Hopefully, we’ll see answers within Defra’s 25-year Farming Roadmap and the UK’s Food Strategy.
British agriculture can be a driving force behind the country’s economic renewal. With the right priorities and a genuine partnership between Government and industry, and with the public’s continued support, we can shift towards a more resilient, thriving and profitable farming industry. One where our farmers continue to produce great-tasting and nutritious food while protecting and enhancing our precious landscapes.
