The message is clear for any political party wanting to win the General Election; back food and farming. Not only would this help win votes among the farming and growing community but also the public, according to the NFU.
As it launches its own manifesto, it has found that food and farming are a key issue. This manifesto leads with new research which demonstrates how much food and farming matters to voters in the run up to the general election, showing a strong appetite for greater government support to boost home-grown food production.
The research shows that 84% think food production targets are either as important or more important than environmental targets for farming. As well as that, 82% say it would be a good idea for the government to set targets to increase British food production. Approximately 66% think that a commitment to a long-term plan for food and farming will be an important factor in who they vote for at the next election.
In its manifesto, the NFU call for policies to be put in place by parties which support British farming, with all Whitehall departments developing policy through the lens of food production. It also warns that the UK could fall into the trap of importing more food if targets are not put in place for British production to rise.
But to achieve this, several things must change. Yes, policies need to be put in place, but other laws and regulations need to be looked at such as making planning laws more flexible to make it easier for more glasshouses to be built. Also, before growers can invest in new glass, they need to see energy prices come down or to be more supported in this area.
There also needs to be more support for growers against the demands of the supermarkets. Despite the efforts of the Groceries Code Adjudicator, there still seems to be evidence of unfair practices.
Why does it take the valiant efforts of a company such as Riverford Organic to highlight this and force a debate in Parliament? Riverford should be applauded for its work on the campaign to support small-scale growers and let’s hope some progress is made in this area soon.
Riverford founder Guy Singh-Watson has sent an open letter to the CEOs of the leading supermarkets, warning them that the British farming industry is “on its knees” and calling for fairer trading practices. Despite this, even as over 100,000 customers sign the petition, there has been a notable absence of response from the retail giants.
Riverford’s research showed that nearly half (49 per cent) of growers are concerned about their survival over the next year, which is a startling indication of the crisis.
This has got the attention it’s deserves, but now it is time for action.
The January issue also includes articles on,
- Hot topics at BPGA conference
- IPM Preview
- Cyclamen – What’s new 2024
- Fertiliser challenges when reducing peat
To read these and more from “The Commercial Greenhouse Grower” subscribe today – find out more here.