Lots to play for ahead of the general election
The big challenges that farmers face still require a more hands-on approach from Government, writes NFU regional director Rob Newbery.
Challenges such as the supply chain power imbalance, a lack of tools to manage volatility and little or no promotion and development of the British food offer, all must be addressed.
Last week there was a step in the right direction when Defra Secretary of State Elizabeth Truss agreed to an industry-wide round table meeting to look at current issues in the British dairy sector.
We would like to thank her, as it gave the NFU an opportunity to discuss ways of helping dairy farmers who are struggling to cope with the impact of market volatility. She made it clear that she will take forward many of our demands for immediate help such as looking at any overdue SPS payments and the ability to stagger tax payments and support from banks.
We continue to believe Government should also look at addressing other areas including lifting the EU intervention price and profit averaging over a longer period.
In the short term a working group will be convened to look at all aspects of milk contracts, including implementing the recommendations of the Voluntary Code review and the need for more trust and transparency when it comes to milk buyers' contracts with their suppliers.
This group will also further explore the role of futures in the dairy sector.
Longer term, Government will support the UK dairy industry in its ambition to reduce the trade deficit on dairy through encouraging and developing new markets for export.
I think it was reassuring that everyone around the table, Government, retailers, processors and banks, showed commitment and a desire to back British dairy farmers.
What we need to see now is action to help those farmers through this difficult period.
With the general election just around the corner in May, now is the ideal time for farmers to challenge the future Government across all sectors.
The NFU will run a series of meetings to both allow members to challenge prospective parliamentary candidates and to lobby them to adopt policies conducive with food production and a competitive industry.
The NFU 2015 general election manifesto is available to view at www.nfuonline.com and other information is also available on the Westminster NFU office homepage.
