This in from Isobel on behalf of the National Farmers’ Union. Ed
The Isle of Wight NFU chair is urging all levels of government and the food supply chain to back British farming during 2016.
Island NFU chair Caroline Knox, of Merstone, Newport, said:
“Across all sectors, 2015 has been a tough year for farming and recovery may be some way off. But we have to focus on the future.
“The UK will become the most populous country in the EU by the mid-2040s, with many more mouths to feed. So we need action from the EU, our own government and the supply chain to enable a competitive and profitable farming industry.
“This will assure the nation of a safe, secure and affordable supply of British food now and in years to come.”
Food and farming growth plan
Ms Knox explained that the NFU was ‘right behind the Government’s food and farming growth plan and its agri-tech strategy to boost UK production and reverse the long-term decline in self-sufficiency’.
In the short term, the NFU has urged banks to help farmers who have been experiencing cashflow problems, caused by low commodity prices and latterly, the late arrival of farm support payments*(1.Basic Payment Scheme/BPS).
Farmers can now use five year tax averaging and the Annual Investment Allowance of £200,000, said Ms Knox. The Chancellor announced these as a direct result of NFU lobbying, she explained. Another bonus will be new regulations for tractor and trailer weights and speeds negotiated by the NFU.
EU referendum
Ms Knox encouraged NFU members to read the NFU’s EU referendum document: UK Farming’s Relationship with the EU.
She said:
“All our members should know the facts before casting the vote that could completely change the way our industry works The NFU has not taken a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ stance but it is providing information on the financial impact of being in or out in of Europe.”
Eradication of bovine TB
The NFU is lobbying Defra and government agencies to improve the delivery and administration of BPS payments and the green farming scheme, Countryside Stewardship.
The NFU will also continue to press government to implement its 25-year eradication plan for bovine TB (bTB), said Ms Knox.
In the absence of a licensed cattle vaccine this disease remains a huge problem for dairy and beef farmers, particularly in the west of England, and it is an ever present threat to historically disease-free areas.
Image: grassrootsgroundswell under CC BY 2.0
