After joining the Prime Minster at today's Farm to Fork Summit at
Number 10, NFU President Tom Bradshaw has welcomed announcements
made, particularly looking at long-term strategic plans around
food security, horticulture, investment and growth for the
sector.
But after the NFU revealed a crisis of confidence among farmers
and growers in its confidence survey last week, which showed
farmer confidence at a record low following the wettest
winter on record, it stressed the need for immediate support
to help the sector and rebuild much-needed confidence and
resilience.
Prime Minister hosted today's summit at 10
Downing Street. The NFU called for the food summit in the run up
to the Conservative leadership election in 2022, with the first
being held at Downing Street in 2023. The NFU also called for it
to be an annual event and for the publication of an annual Food
Security Index, with this second summit attended by almost a
hundred representatives from food and farming organisations, as
well as members of Cabinet and departments across Whitehall.
At the summit, a series of announcements were made by the
government including:
- A new blueprint to increase domestic production in the UK
horticulture sector
- The publication of the Food Security Index setting out key
data and trends
- Further support for farmers and growers affected by wet
weather
NFU President Tom Bradshaw said: “It was good to return to Number
10 today to see and hear the Prime Minister champion British food
production, putting it at the top of the national political
agenda. Food security is national security.
“Many of today's announcements are extremely welcome,
particularly those long-term strategic ambitions around the
launch of a UK Food Security Index and measures to boost the
production of more British fruit and vegetables.
“We are pleased that the government has taken on board our calls
for a bigger and more accessible replacement for the EU Fruit and
Veg Aid Scheme, and a commitment to legislate to improve
contractual relationships.
“But we cannot forget that our members have experienced the
wettest eighteen months since 1836, including devastating
flooding, and many are facing an acute short-term crisis.
“The NFU's recent confidence survey revealed just how tough it is
out there currently – the reality is that some farmers and
growers believe they may not survive long enough to benefit from
today's announcements.
“That's why, while we are pleased to see the Prime Minister and
Defra saying UK food security is vital to our national security,
we need actions in the short-term that underpin that statement,
in order to rebuild confidence and resilience so farming
businesses can continue producing food.
“We will continue to engage with ministers on the detail needed
for the immediate relief our farm businesses require and believe
that core standards for food imports also need to be part of the
long-term offer.”
