皇家华人

How the NFU works for farmers at political party conferences

02 October 2024

The annual political party conferences happen in September and October every year. Find out below how we will be engaging with MPs and other important figures at these keystone events in the political calendar.

Summary:

  • 皇家华人has secured a prime spot at both the 2024 Labour and Conservative party conferences.聽
  • Kicking off the political party conference season in Brighton, the NFU hosted a farming reception for the Liberal Democrats where the agriculture budget and ELMs were high on the agenda.
  • 皇家华人was at the Labour party conference in Liverpool where the team engaged with more than 50 MPs including Defra Secretary Steve Reed and Farming Minister Daniel Zeichner.
  • 皇家华人finished up the political party conference season at the Conservative party conference in Birmingham where 476 delegates signed our 鈥榩ledge apple鈥� in support of British farmers.

What are party conferences?

Every year, UK political parties hold their annual conferences. Thousands of people including politicians, party members and stakeholders such as thinktanks, media outlets and charities attend.

Given the inflationary pressures weighing on families and farmers up and down the country, we will be asking how all parties will ensure British farming businesses can continue to deliver high-quality, affordable, and climate-friendly food for the nation while also protecting and caring for our environment.

Putting the issues direct to MPs

Our engaging stand brings to life all of our diverse agri-sectors, featuring a glasshouse and milking parlour along with grassland, field margins and trees.

This year, we鈥檙e asking political delegates to pledge their support for farming by signing an apple to hang on our tree and we鈥檒l be providing apple juice tastings and samples of cheese to make for a memorable visit.

The stand provides an opportunity for MPs, Peers, and councillors to meet officeholders, directors and the NFU鈥檚 external affairs team to learn more about farming鈥檚 current challenges.

鈥極ur farmers stand ready to work with policy makers鈥�

Speaking ahead of the conferences, NFU President Tom Bradshaw said: 鈥淲ith a new government and political environment, it鈥檚 more important than ever that the NFU is out in force at party conferences to showcase all that British farming delivers for the nation.

鈥淔armers and growers are the backbone of the UK鈥檚 largest manufacturing sector, food and drink, worth a huge 拢148 billion to the economy and employing more than four million people. Not only do we provide high quality, climate-friendly food for all, but we are the custodians of our much-loved countryside and the protectors of the natural environment.

鈥淗owever, our members are under immense pressure. Ongoing uncertainty around the Environmental Land Management schemes, concern over losing BPS payments, devastating weather events and relentlessly high production costs have all contributed to a collapse in confidence and pushing the resilience of farming businesses to the brink.

鈥�Our farmers stand ready to work with policy makers to achieve this goal, and that鈥檚 what we鈥檒l be highlighting to MPs from all political parties over the next few weeks.鈥�

NFU President Tom Bradshaw

鈥淭his is not only threatening the sustainability of British farming, but also having a serious impact on the mental health of the people at its heart. Our members are feeling the strain, and it鈥檚 crucial this is recognised.

鈥淎t our Back British Farming Day Westminster reception we heard Secretary of State Steve Reed speak about the mental health challenges in the farming community. We now need policy solutions that will help relieve these pressures, on top of supporting homegrown food production and boosting our national food security. With the budget fast approaching, all parties need to carefully consider how much they value our food security and our environmental ambitions by supporting or delivering a renewed and enhanced agriculture budget to enable a thriving food and farming sector.

鈥淥ur farmers stand ready to work with policy makers to achieve this goal, and that鈥檚 what we鈥檒l be highlighting to MPs from all political parties over the next few weeks.鈥�

Liberal Democrat party conference

Party conference season kicked off in mid-September as the Liberal Democrats descended on Brighton (14 鈥� 17 September).

NFU Vice President Rachel Hallos attended the conference鈥檚 flagship 鈥榖usiness day鈥�.

皇家华人also hosted a reception that welcomed more than 100 MPs, Peers, and councillors.

Attendees at the reception heard speeches from NFU Vice President Rachel Hallos, Liberal Democrat Efra spokesperson Tim Farron MP and the new chair of the Efra Select Committee Alistair Carmichael MP.

There was significant discussion about the NFU鈥檚 ask surrounding the urgent need for a renewed and enhanced multi-annual agriculture budget to give farmers the confidence to invest and deliver for food production, the environment and clean energy.

Labour party conference

皇家华人stand with its front row position has been the centre of activity for political engagement at this year鈥檚 Labour party conference.

Visits were received from:

  • Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves
  • Defra Secretary Steve Reed
  • Secretary of State for Science Innovation and Technology Peter Kyle
  • Secretary of State for NI Hilary Benn
  • Secretary of State for Defence John Healey
  • Farming Minister Daniel Zeichner
  • Defence Minister Luke Pollard
  • Work and Pensions Minister Stephen Timms
  • Defra Under Secretary Mary Creagh.

Key topics of discussion include the need for a multi-annual agriculture budget of 拢5.6 billion, inheritance tax and the Farming Recovery Fund.

A total of 647 delegates have signed an apple to back British Farming and the NFU has hosted media interviews with ITV, the BBC and GB News.

The conference in photos:

121580,121581,121614,121579,121584,121583,121582

Conservative party conference

This year, the Conservative party conference was in Birmingham (29 September 鈥� 2 October).聽

皇家华人welcomed all four of the Conservative leadership candidates to the stand as well as nine Shadow Cabinet and Ministerial visits.

Following the packed fringe event on Monday evening, Shadow Defra Secretary Steve Barclay visited the NFU stand on Tuesday.

In addition, 476 delegates showed their support for farming by signing a pledge apple.

The conference in photos:

121683,121684,121685,121691,121692,121693,121694,121695,121696

NFU fringe events

Fringe events are an important part of political party conference activity and a chance for members to get involved. We are hosting fringe events at the Conservative and Labour party conferences, bringing together a range of speakers to discuss the parties鈥� visions for the future of domestic food production and the policies needed to support a thriving agricultural sector.

This page was first published on 11 October 2023. It was updated on 02 October 2024.

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