Back British Farming campaign builds as trade talks continue

MPs and other parliamentarians will be urged to back British farmers next week ahead of a crucial four months of Brexit negotiations.

With the clock ticking, talks between London and Brussels will be ramped up in the coming weeks to secure a free trade agreement.

This is seen as essential for the UK and EU to continue trading without tariffs, quotas or other barriers after the Brexit transition period ends on 31 December.

Without a deal, trade between the UK and EU will be left on World Trade Organization terms and tariffs – a scenario NFU president Minette Batters has repeatedly warned would be catastrophic for Britain’s growers and livestock producers.

See also: #FeedTheNation: Government video thanks farmers for support

To highlight the importance of UK agriculture, politicians will be asked to sign a pledge to “Back British Farming”. And in a visual display of support, MPs will be asked to wear British wheat lapel badges during prime minister’s questions on Wednesday, 9 September.

The NFU says this year is also a chance for farmers to remind MPs, peers and the UK government that it is vitally important to uphold British food and farming standards in any future trade deals negotiated with the US and other countries.

Previous years have seen scores of parliamentarians put pen to paper – keen to demonstrate their backing for an agri-food sector that the union says is worth more than £120bn to the national economy each year, employing more than 4m people.

Similar numbers are expected to pledge their support this year. But it is worth remembering that many of those signing the pledge will have voted earlier this year against an Agriculture Bill amendment to enshrine British farm standards in legislation.

This autumn will be crucial for the future of domestic farm policy as the Agriculture Bill returns from the Lords to the Commons for further scrutiny before it is eventually passed into law. And with a big government majority, few substantial changes are expected.

As a gentle reminder that changes are needed, the NFU will use the day to launch a report highlighting the importance of protecting British farmers and growers from a flood of cheap food imports produced to standards that would be illegal in the UK.

It follows an NFU petition – signed by more than 1m people and backed by celebrity chef Jamie Oliver – calling on the government to maintain a ban against imports of foods such as chlorinated chicken or hormone-implanted beef from the US.

There are other issues too. The UK horticultural sector remains heavily dependent on seasonal workers from overseas – and the NFU says a large-scale seasonal agricultural workers’ scheme is needed to prevent crops from rotting in fields at harvest.

Further worries include food security. The union wants the government to report on the UK’s food security situation each year – rather than every five years as the bill proposes – to prevent any further decline in agricultural self-sufficiency.

For its part, the government has established a trade and agriculture commission to ensure its new trade policies uphold British standards and secure export opportunities for UK farmers. While a step in the right direction, concern remains that the commission’s role is advisory only.

Back us to help feed the nation, says Brexiteer farmer

Rutland mixed farmer Monty Andrew says the government must do more to support British farmers and local producers to help feed the nation.

“To me, Back British Farming means supporting British farmers like me to supply the country with good quality, affordable food,” he told Farmers Weekly.

“My primary role is to support the nation and keep people fed. We have got to do it as cheaply as we can, so that food prices don’t become unrealistic.”

Monty Andrews © Tim Scrivener

Mr Andrew, a staunch supporter of Brexit, said the balance must be shifted to give primary producers a bigger share of the profits. “There is a big gap between what reaches the farmers and the person who pays for it.

“The supermarkets have got to look at themselves. We need a proper price for the food we produce.”

Mr Andrew, who farms at Holmes Farm, near Stamford, said the phased withdrawal of direct payments risk leaving tenant farmers with problems paying their rent.

“The new green schemes will have to be paid for by the farmers before they get the money – everything from equipment, hedging and seeds,” he said.

“The government should look to pay farmers up front – and then come and see if the job has been done properly. If not, then do something about it.”