Govt urged to increase ag budget on Back British Farming Day
11th September 2024
The government is being urged to value UK food security by increasing the current agricultural budget.
Today, on the ninth Back British Farming Day (11th September), the NFU is asking politicians, the public, retailers, food processors and manufacturers to celebrate and champion British farming.
The food and drink sector in the UK’s largest manufacturing sector, worth £148 billion, and employs more than four million people.
But there are huge challenges, said NFU president Tom Bradshaw, speaking ahead of a breakfast reception for MPs in parliament today.
Calls for £5.6Bn budget
“Over the past 18 months we have seen a collapse in farmer confidence, driven by record inflation, falls in farm income and a changing climate with unprecedented weather patterns delivering relentless rain which left thousands of acres of farmland under water.”
He continued: “While in opposition we heard consistently from Labour that food security is national security.
“The prime minister, speaking at NFU Conference last year, pledged that Labour ‘aspires to govern for every corner of our country, and will seek a new relationship with the countryside and farming communities on this basis, a relationship based on respect and on genuine partnership.’”
On Back British Farming Day, the NFU is asking the government to deliver a multi-annual agriculture budget of £5.6 billion on the 30th October.
The call follows recent media reports that England’s farming budget could be slashed by £100 million to help plug a £22 billion Treasury shortfall.
“This budget is essential in giving Britain’s farmers and growers the confidence they desperately need to invest for the future and deliver on our joint ambitions on producing more sustainable, affordable homegrown food while creating more jobs and delivering for nature, energy security and climate-friendly farming,” he said.
READ MORE: Labour manifesto: ‘Food security is national security’
READ MORE: What does a Labour government mean for farming?
At a tipping point
Surveys show the public rank farming as one of the most important and well-respected professions, second only to nursing.
91% also believe farming is important to the UK economy, with 85% believing we should increase our self-sufficiency in British food.
“On this Back British Farming Day, we are at a tipping point, so we call on government, all MPs, to also show their unstinted support.
“Seize this opportunity to harness the passion and the drive of British farmers and growers to ensure a thriving future – a future that is good for shoppers, good for the environment and good for a secure supply of British food,” Mr Bradshaw concluded.
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