Give us right signals to boost production
Today's date was flagged last year as the day when our food supplies would run out if all the food produced in Britain, in a year, was stored and eaten from January, writes NFU regional director John Mercer.
Then it was shown that the UK only produced 62 per cent of its own food and it was a really significant date.
Worryingly our self-sufficiency levels have fallen again this year by two per cent, 15 per cent since 1991.
This means that food supplies would have run out on August 7 without imports.
On the back of this startling figure the National Farmers Union is calling for a growth plan for the industry to help generate the right environment for investment, sustainability and on farm productivity.
It is widely accepted that global demand provides an unprecedented opportunity to increase production in a sustainable way and that UK producers need to be a part of this.
Of course there is a place for imports but Government and the whole supply chain need to give farmers the right signals to produce more and the NFU will be making this a priority work area.
Last month saw Defra Minister Owen Paterson replaced by Liz Truss in the cabinet reshuffle. A lot has been said about this already but he was hugely supportive in that role, the hard work and dedication was much appreciated.
He has always been supportive as a Shropshire MP and in his ministerial duties showed he had a real understanding of farmers and the farming industry and knew how important food production and food security was.
He also recognised the need to help farmers capitalise on growing global demand.
While he may no longer be in the cabinet, we will continue to work closely with him on North Shropshire and Oswestry industry issues and we wish him well for the future.
The NFU has already met with Liz Truss and we are looking forward to working together on some of the key issues and challenges facing agriculture and horticulture.
Alongside the many policy issues, our current Back British Farming campaign will be on the agenda and the drive to see more British food on more British plates.
Shropshire shoppers are increasingly showing their support for British farming; they are our best ally and we continue to thank them for backing the industry.
I would extend my thanks to county motorists for bearing with us at this busy time as farmers and growers gather in the harvest.
For further details about the NFU's Back British Farming campaign go to http://www.nfuonline.com/back-british-farming/
