No let up in securing farming's future

There have been many challenges for those in every sector from every corner of Shropshire, but fortunately autumn has been benign so far, allowing late silage to be made and extending the grazing season.

Members are now fully into winter work and preparing for the looming season.

From an NFU point of view the lobbying has not let up, from dealing with water shortages to work within the supply chain; from crime to high speed rail – as well as campaigning on plant protection products, TB, labour, environmental work, our home-grown Heartland campaign, agricultural emissions, just to name a handful of our many policy areas.

Then there’s Brexit, which has allowed the NFU to demonstrate its capability.

We’ve spoken to Shropshire farmers and growers and made their views known, met county MPs, lobbied ministers and made the farming case.

We’re now charging towards the end of the year and there’s no let up, it’s vital that Shropshire agriculture and horticulture continues to make its voice heard.

Just last Friday, we met one of our MPs and then held an emergency member meeting over the weekend to consolidate county farming priorities on a range of issues; we had a briefing prepared and in Westminster for Monday.

This type of MP work is something only the NFU can deliver and is critical as now is the time to ensure that farming, which underpins the country’s largest manufacturing sector, has a strong, viable and productive future.

This week NFU President Minette Batters also stressed the need for a comprehensive food strategy which sets out “a collaborative vision of the future of food in Britain”.

The Agriculture Bill offers Shropshire farmers a once-in-a-generation chance to influence our course and we must seize it by setting out a clear vision of where we want to be.

We need a proactive plan which joins the dots between farmers and the wider food manufacturing industry and builds a brand, based on the integrity and standards of British food.

Looking beyond Brexit, we want a progressive food and farming industry which focuses on four key areas – moral imperative, health and nutrition, integrity and standards, and working with nature – delivering for all corners of society while fulfilling our moral obligations in a global economy and a changing world.

Shropshire farmers, industry and decision makers must work together to seize the opportunities we have been given and strive for a future united by food.

Robert Newbery, NFU West Midlands regional director