The NFU has urged candidates standing in next month’s local elections to play their part in helping to shape the future of British farming.
Voters in England go to the polls on 7 May with more than 4,850 council seats across 134 local authorities up for grabs.
The union said the elections provide an ideal opportunity to shine a light on some of the huge challenges facing farmers in rural Britain such as rising crime rates, planning bureaucracy and a lack of broadband and mobile connectivity.
It outlined key areas where local government support is most impactful, including:
- Planning: Ensuring local planning officers are trained in agricultural operations and farm needs, ensuring consistent, informed decisions that support modern farming practices and diversified rural enterprises.
- Rural crime: Providing accessible waste disposal sites to help reduce fly-tipping. Ensuring markets operating under the local authority are sufficiently regulated and licensed to prevent the sale of stolen goods.
- Rural connectivity: Targeting persistent rural ‘not-spots’ and underserved rural communities and avoid clustering of investment in already well-served areas.
- Food procurement: Procuring at least 50% of the food the council requires from local farmers and growers.
NFU President Tom Bradshaw said: “Farming is the backbone of our rural economy and lifeblood of rural communities. However, confidence within the sector remains severely low.
“Farm businesses are under extreme cost pressures for feed, fuel and fertiliser, exacerbated by geopolitical tensions, starting with the invasion of Ukraine and most recently the war in the Middle East, coupled with unpredictable climate and extreme weather all impacting on our ability to produce food.
“Decisions being taken by local authorities can have a direct and lasting impact on farm businesses and the communities they support. By championing pro-farming policies on areas such as planning, rural crime and the procurement of more British food, councils aren’t just supporting individual farming businesses — they can help turn the tide and shape the future of our industry by increasing our collective resilience.”
- The NFU ‘local elections briefing’ can be read here.