Isobel shares this latest news from NFU. Ed
Island NFU members have updatedIsle of Wight Conservative MP, Andrew Turner on farming issues and discussed the future of agriculture.
NFU members discussed post Brexit options for the development of a domestic agriculture policy during a meeting yesterday (September 19) at Marsh Green Farm, Brighstone, courtesy of NFU member and dairy farmer Richard Fisk.
MP challenged
Farmers and growers challenged the MP to back British farming when a new agriculture policy is developed and also discussed ways to halt the decline of the Island’s dairy sector.
NFU Isle of Wight Adviser, James Osman said:
“It is vitally important that we get in front of MPs and decision makers to ensure that farming is not forgotten in the Brexit negotiations. Future trade deals will be pivotal for farming – we do not want to see food produced to lower safety, welfare and environmental standards flooding into the country and undercutting our high quality British produce. There has to be a level playing field with our competitors.”
The MP heard how the NFU has been working with its dairy farmer members to investigate potential options for the industry on the Island.
Mr Osman added:
“We asked our MP to press government to redress the balance between supermarkets, processors and farmers. As it stands, farmers take on all the market risk for very little reward.”
The NFU’s biggest ever consultation of its 47,000 farmer and grower members, on the NFU’s ambitious vision for British agriculture post-Brexit, started last month. NFU members’ views will be collated into a report that will then go before NFU Policy Board on September 29, before final agreement by NFU Council in October.
