Hundreds of farmers in the South East have come forward to help the NFU respond to government plans for future farming policy, which they say “fail to recognise the vital role of food production”.
NFU South East has just completed a round of meetings to gather its members’ views on the government’s “Health and Harmony” command paper on the direction of farming policy after Brexit.
It asks questions about how farmers should be supported in future and what for, but according to the NFU’s chief horticulture adviser Hayley Campbell-Gibbons growers have criticised it for being “thin”, “environmentally driven” and “lacking in emphasis on food production and horticulture”.
A continued lack of clarity on labour provision is of particular concern, according to Campbell-Gibbons.
The NFU branch said it was collating a formal response to the Brexit paper by the end of April and has urged its members to respond individually to it.
Regional director William White commented: “Commercial farmers and growers believe that future farm policy must recognise the importance of food production as a public good.
“The NFU will be urging government to develop an ambitious policy that retains and enhances the productive capacity of the farming industry, as a national strategic asset.”
He added: “Many farmers question how government will reconcile future trade deals and a desire to keep food affordable to the consumer with the maintenance of our world-class standards for animal health and welfare.
“There is agreement that a transition period will be necessary to design, develop and prepare for a new policy, though views on the timescale are mixed.
“All farmers and growers agree that farming delivers a high quality landscape with environmental benefits and farmers can continue to deliver this, provided the policy incentives are practical. Farm support should be fair and equitable to all farm businesses, irrespective of size or system.”
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