The NFU has postponed its London rally, which had been scheduled for later this month, amid concerns over the spread of coronavirus.
The NFU said it had taken the decision to postpone the rally, scheduled for March 25, now ‘because of the continued uncertainty regarding the spread of the virus, together with the size and nature of this particular event’. “We will set another date for the event soon and details of this will follow when they are available,” the union announced.
Hundreds of farmers from across the country were due to head to Westminster to persuade the Government to take firm action on post-Brexit food standards, including committing to ensuring future UK trade policy will not allow imports of food produced to standards that would be illegal in the UK.
The plan was to bring together farmers, consumer representatives and experts in animal welfare and the environment, ‘in a show of unity backing the future of British farming and underlining the role farmers play in supplying the nation with safe, traceable and affordable food and protecting our countryside’.
NFU president Minette Batters said: “While necessary, this is of course disappointing news. However, farmers and the public can rest assured that our campaign to ensure that our standards of production are not undermined continues apace.”