Why not invite local MP to your farm? 

The union said that hosting an on-farm visit is a great opportunity to get across your specific local issues, as well as inform the MPs about the broader problems impacting farmers up and down the country. 

A spokesperson for NFU said: “MP meetings are our best hope of changing the current policy proposals, giving policymakers a first-hand look at the challenges and opportunities within British agriculture. 

“Hosting MPs and councillors demonstrates the realities of food production, sustainability and rural businesses while ensuring they understand the sector’s needs.”

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NFU president Tom Bradshaw added that there is no substitute for getting decision-makers out on farm. 

“Farmers should take every opportunity to engage with policymakers, ensuring that agriculture remains a priority in political discussions,” he continued. 

NFU said that it organises hundreds of MP visits every year, but farmers can organise them for themselves too. 

A spokesperson for the union explained: “The NFU team can help set up your visit; read details of how to get in touch below. Your regional NFU colleagues will be able to accompany you on farm to help facilitate the MP’s visit. 

“Do get in touch with your local NFU team to let them know the visit is taking place.”

Preparing for an MP visit 

NFU has prepared a few pieces of advice for farmers: 

• In your invitation be clear and concise about why you’d like your MP to come and visit you. Do you want to discuss a specific issue relating to your business or is this just a general chat about the sector? 
• Invite your MP on a Friday, when MPs tend to be in their constituency, or during any weekday over the parliamentary recess. You can check recess dates with the NFU’s external affairs team by emailing nfulondon@nfu.org.uk or on the parliamentary website. 
• Ensure the MP knows they’ll need to bring appropriate footwear and clothing and they have clear instructions to get to the farm. What3Words is one tool that offers a more precise location than a postcode alone. 
• MPs and their staff always appreciate an agenda ahead of the visit and this allows them to come to discussions better prepared. It also increases the likelihood of them being able to come, as MPs often have calendars full of meetings and public appearances. Your local NFU team can help with this. 
• A suggested plan could be a farm walk, followed by a kitchen table discussion. The farm walk gives MPs the chance to see how your business runs day to day, as well as a nice photo opportunity. 
• A kitchen table discussion also allows you to go over some of the key issues you wish to raise in more detail. It’s worth having a bad weather contingency plan, just in case. 
• Be clear about whether they are a backbench MP, involved in a committee, part of a parliamentary interest group, or hold a role in government. This will have an impact on what action the MP is able to take up on your behalf. The external affairs team can help with this if you’re unsure. 

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