Farming leader's plea over coalition promises

A farming leader today called on the coalition Government to deliver on rural promises it made before the election and show it values farmers and the agricultural industry.

In an interview with the Shropshire Star Gwyn Jones, vice president of the National Farmers Union, said the farming industry was "slightly nervous" but was "optimistic" for the long-term.

The last 12 months have been "steady" but have included problems with the Bluetongue disease in the UK and the country's major economic downturn, added Mr Jones, who was visiting Shrewsbury for the Shropshire County Show on Saturday.

He said: "I think we are definitely optimistic for the future. We might be slightly nervous but are certainly optimistic in the long-term.

"We need to have some demonstration from this new coalition Government that they value the industry, value farmers for what they do and are actually going to deliver on the promises they made before the election. Now is the time to deliver."

Mr Jones said there was also a time of optimism for young farmers, adding that during his visit he was told that student numbers were up for Harper Adams University College at Edgmond, near Newport, and the Walford and North Shropshire College, based at Oswestry and Baschurch,

Job

He said: "Each will be able to choose between a job. There aren't many industries that can offer more jobs than there are students. We're desperate for young people and for young people to come to do the jobs that are needed."

Looking back at the last 12 months he said certain issues had been faced by the industry — both providing a positive and negative impact on agriculture.

"The weak currency was probably one of the big effects because it allows people to export and has had a big effect on the sheep trade and the cattle trade as well to a point," he said.

"We have had a bit of a disease scare with Bluetongue which has been very well contained. Full marks should go to farmers, the Government and Defra on how that has been handled.

"That's a good example of what can be done if we allow the Government and Defra to work with us. I think it needs people to keep vaccinating animals against the disease because the effects can be devastating.

"I'm hoping this Government will now do some real tangible work on bovine TB," he added.

He said important decisions needed to be made on the country's economic situation, following last week's budget and the NFU would work hard to protect what is "valuable" in the industry.

By John Kirk