Labour has pledged to champion British farmers, but, in a move that will go down badly with many connected to the livestock industry, has said it will end the badger cull.
The Labour Party Manifesto, launched by Sir Keir Starmer on Thursday, contains very little detail on food and farming.
It stresses, however, that the party ‘recognises that food security is national security’. “That is why we will champion British farming whilst protecting the environment,” it says.
It says a Labour Government would set a target for half of all food purchased across the public sector to be locally produced or certified to higher environmental standards
The party will introduce a land-use framework and make environment land management schemes work for farmers and nature.
The only other specific pledge related to farming relates to the badger cull introduced by the Conservative Government to help farmers control bovine TB.
“We will work with farmers and scientists on measures to eradicate Bovine TB, protecting livelihoods, so that we can end the ineffective badger cull,” the manifesto states.
Other pledges under the heading of ‘stronger animal welfare’ include a ban on trail hunting and the import of hunting trophies, an end puppy smuggling and farming, along with the use of snare traps, and phasing out of animal testing in partnership with scientists, industry, and civil society.
There is no mention, however, of phasing out conventional farrowing systems on pig farms, or other confinement system on farms. It remains to be seen, however, whether there will be a separate manifesto around food and farming that could include some more detailed commitments.
Country Land and Business Association (CLA) President Victoria Vyvyan said: “Labour says its top focus is economic growth, but its manifesto is silent about how it will unlock the growth potential of the rural economy.
“It says it will support farmers by continuing the Environmental Land Management schemes, but gives no details about the agricultural budget. The manifesto supports reform of the planning system, but again, no detail is provided.
“This manifesto suggests Labour is listening, and we welcome the manner in which they have engaged with us, but much more thinking needs to be done to deliver the serious change in business environment the countryside needs.”