NFU president Tom Bradshaw met with the new Defra Secretary of State, Steve Reed, on his first day in office.
They discussed key, immediate actions that are needed to enable the British food and farming sector to thrive.
Topics on the agenda included the critical role of food security in delivering national security, the investment required for the future of farming and restrictions around planning policy.
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Mr Bradshaw said: “It was great to meet with the Secretary of State today and put the importance of investing in the future of British agriculture directly to him.
“With this big change in government, it’s crucial the voices of our 46,000 farmer and grower members are heard loud and clear within the new Defra team.”
Alongside meeting with Mr Reed, the NFU has written to MPs and cabinet ministers, emphasising the importance of British farming for the nation.
Each letter, sent to all English and Welsh MPs, and more to cabinet ministers in the context of their portfolios, set out the priority policies to support the nation’s shared ambition for food security.
This involved putting British farming “front and centre” as MPs take their seats across Parliament.
The priorities outlined included:
- An increased multi-year agriculture budget for the duration of the next Parliament.
- A transparent transition to Environmental Land Management (ELM) schemes.
- Regulation on supply chain fairness and public procurement.
- Controls on imports that don’t meet core production standards.
- Access to competent, motivated and skilled workers in the horticulture and agriculture sector.
- Planning system reform to allow investment in modern buildings and infrastructure.
- Effective water management and compensation for storing floodwater on agricultural land.
- An evidence-based plan for disease management, including action on bovine TB.
Mr Bradshaw added: “In an increasingly volatile world, the production of safe, sustainable and affordable homegrown food has to be high on the political agenda.
“It’s something that matters to everyone and every MP.”
