News Get farming message across


ahead of general election • Farming has ‘bright sustainable future’ • Trade and workforce among key issues • Major parties unveil election pledges


F


armers are being urged to get the farming mes- sage across ahead of this


month’s general election – with all major political parties outlin- ing their policies for agriculture should they form the next gov- ernment. The NFU said it was vital that


British farming had a sustain- able and vibrant future – while able to maintain its world-lead- ing standards once the next gov- ernment is elected when voters


Politicians must protect British food standards, says the NFU


go to the polls on 12 December. British agriculture makes an extensive contribution to the na- tion, says the NFU’s manifesto, which says farmers are trusted suppliers of British food produced to world leading standards of an- imal welfare – as well as guard- ians of the countryside.


Investment


NFU president Minette Batters said: “The outcome of this gen- eral election will determine the


“British farmers are already


world leaders in our standards of animal welfare, environmen- tal protection and food safety, pro- viding the nation with a trusted supply of safe, traceable and af- fordable food while caring for our iconic countryside.” The NFU manifesto covers Brexit and the UK’s future domes- tic agricultural policy – as well as the need to secure a long-term food strategy and place science at the heart of decision-making. Three areas require immediate attention from a future govern- ment, says the document.


Commitment


NFU president Minette Batters: ambitious vision


future direction of this country and our farming system, includ- ing how we trade with the world, how we invest in our food system and how we attract a workforce.


The three areas are a commit- ment that trade policy will not allow imports of food produced to standards that would be ille- gal to produce in the UK; the need for long-term investment to sup- port British farming; and guaran- teed access to a skilled and com- petent workforce. Ms Batters said: “With the right political environment we believe that we can deliver even more. From our ambitious vision for net zero agriculture by 2040 to increasing our self-sufficien- cy by producing more high-qual- ity, British food at home, British farmers are up for the challenge.” But agriculture still faces very


real threats, added Ms Batters. “If we crash out of the EU with- out a deal or introduce a trade policy that allows imports of food produced to standards that would be illegal to produce here, deliv- ering on our ambitions suddenly becomes very challenging. “That is why we are urging all political parties to commit to pro- tecting our standards of produc- tion in future trade policy as one of our headline asks.”


What’s in the manifestos?


Conservative • Support farmers with ‘public money for public goods’ • Maintain current farm budget for duration of next Parliament • Encourage public sector to Buy British • 10k annual quota for seasonal farm workers


4 ANGLIA FARMER • DECEMBER 2019


Labour • More county farms to replace those lost • Re-establish Agricultural Wages Board in England • Ensure rights of union representation for farm workers • Establish National Food Commission


Lib Dem • Improve animal health & welfare standards • Increase funding for tech centres on farming • Support farmers to restore natural environment • Reduce farm support payments to larger recipients


Green • 50% of all farms engaged in agroforestry by 2030 • Halve pesticide use by weight by 2022 • Tax meat & dairy to encourage plant-based diets • 1.4% land value tax • End badger cull


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