NFU President Tom Bradshaw said: 鈥淭he primary focus of the new food strategy and the Advisory Board needs to be economic growth. Without that, businesses the length of the supply chain, including farms will be unable to focus on the other themes outlined for the strategy. Right now, the challenges facing primary producers are severe. Farmers and growers are grappling with inheritance tax bills that many will be unable to pay, uncertainty over environmental schemes, drastic cuts to direct payments, and rising National Insurance costs.
鈥淲ithout profitable farming businesses it will be difficult for the strategy to realise its other goals of maintaining food security, boosting environmental delivery and securing the supply of healthy produce. The NFU鈥檚 recently launched Blueprints for Growth1 provides key policy solutions that will support these missions.聽
鈥淢inisters say they want to restore pride in British food. I am more interested in restoring confidence in British food production. Our Blueprints for Growth set out a clear vision for building sustainable, profitable farm businesses 鈥� ensuring food production for 70 million people, protecting the countryside, and helping ministers achieve their policy goals. It鈥檚 a win-win.
鈥淚 know that the Board鈥檚 farmer representative, Sam Godfrey, will bring his valuable experience of representing the sector previously and will offer essential firsthand insight into the realities of farming in these uncertain times.
鈥淎longside the valuable discussions that will happen on the Advisory Board, the NFU will be engaging directly with Government and through its longstanding involvement in the F4 group alongside the other key supply chain trade bodies. We look forward to engaging with the food strategy to drive meaningful progress and build back growth in the industry.鈥�
More information聽
- Read more about the NFU鈥檚 Blueprints for Growth here.