Farmers meet councillors to discuss food production and farming challenges
“Farmers were well received by shoppers and we also had constructive talks with councillors”
County farmers and growers welcomed Leicestershire councillors on farm near Lutterworth to discuss sector challenges and opportunities for growth.
The NFU met Leicestershire County Council representatives on farm at Lutterworth along with members of their rural estate team, with the county farm estate high on the agenda.
During the meeting, farmers and councillors discussed what is needed to help safeguard food supplies after an extremely challenging year.
Business have faced extreme weather alongside other issues this year including soaring costs for energy, fuel and fertiliser due to the conflict in Iran among other issues.
They also discussed water, planning barriers and a host of other topics including agri-environment schemes and the work being done to protect the landscape.
NFU Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland county adviser Marie Charles said the meeting was useful and helped to move forward discussions between farmers and the authorities on a host of issues.
She said: “We toured the farm and looked at some of the different issues and challenges and looked at what could be done at a local level.
“Councillors and their teams have a good handle on the rural brief but it remains important we meet with decision makers nationally and at a local level to look at ways to help build resilience, confidence and to support thriving farms that can invest and grow the economy and support vibrant communities.”
The Leicestershire visit was to Lutterworth and Rugby NFU vice chair Emma Grieg’s beef and sheep farm, which she runs in partnership with her partner Pete Jarrom – the business is part of the council’s farm estate.
Earlier this year Leicestershire County Council committed, as part of its new rural estate strategy, to further support farming tenants on the council-owned farm estate, safeguarding more than 60 businesses.
Other farmers were at the meeting alongside Rachel Fyfe, NFU Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland chair.
All regional events were part of wider activity around the NFU’s Back British Farming Day on 9 September that celebrated farming and food production.
The previous day the NFU had a stand at Melton Mowbray Market where they spoke to shoppers and offered Stilton samples from Long Clawson Dairy and locally produced sausage.
Mrs Fyfe, LNR county chair, said: “Back British Farming Day was a great opportunity to speak to shoppers about the work we do to produce food and manage the countryside often under challenging business conditions.
“Farmers were well received by shoppers and we also had constructive talks with councillors.
“People really value county produce and all of those growing crops and rearing livestock, alongside those busy providing commercial plants and flowers regionally.
“The week of farm visits proved useful as we were able to cover the issues that really matter to our farms.
“We hope to forge stronger links with councillors going forward as we look to strengthen farming in Leicestershire.”
On Back British Farming Day the NFU launched its Ready to Grow report offering government a clear alternative and a route away from a growing food security crisis.
The report underlines the need for action to ensure farmers can meet the public’s demand, as it shows that much of Britain’s food is being produced at a loss.
Ready to Grow also showed self-sufficiency in 10 out of 11 everyday foods, such as wheat, vegetables, beef, poultry meat and eggs have fallen over the last 30 years as the country's reliance on imported food continues to grow.
Agri-food import volumes across the county and wider country are up 70% while export volumes have stalled.