Veg grower has hosted a group of MPs as part of NFU scheme to see on-farm operations and discuss key issues for the sector including planning barriers and seasonal workers
MPs have visited leading veg grower Barfoots to discuss key challenges facing growers including planning barriers, supply chain relationships and seasonal worker visas.
The five parliamentarians visited Barfoots’ Sefter Farm last week (3 July), where Tenderstem is being picked, where they heard how the business will harvest 4,500 acres of sweetcorn and 300 acres of courgettes this year.
They also toured farm’s water treatment plant and new reservoir, and visited the company’s sweetcorn packhouse.
“Barfoots is at the sharp end when it comes to climate change, the effects of geopolitical events and changing sentiment towards farming and food production,” said group CEO, Julian Marks.
“Engaging with parliamentarians from across the political spectrum enables us to showcase the work we are doing to protect and enhance the environment whilst putting healthy nutritious vegetables onto plates every day.
“It was a pleasure to show this highly engaged group of MPs around our operations,” he added.
NFU Horticulture and Potatoes board chair, Martin Emmett, said: ”Engaging with politicians and policy makers on days like this is so important.
“Getting MPs out on farm really helps them to understand the challenges facing the sector and the vital role growers play in producing the nation’s food, driving the economy and supporting rural communities.
Emmett urged encourage all produce businesses to take part in the NFU’s survey on the government’s Horticulture Sector Growth Plan, to share their views. “This will help to shape a plan that build resilience into the horticulture sector, boosts domestic food production and puts the country’s growers at its heart,” he said.
The MPs, who included three from Labour and two Lib Dems, are part of the NFU’s Food and Farming Fellowship Scheme, which aims to showcase the industry to MPs and help them better understand UK farming and food.
The scheme launched in 2024 in collaboration with companies and industry bodies including including Arla Foods, Barfoots, BEIC (British Egg Industry Council) and FareShare (now Felix).
