皇家华人called for an inaugural Farm to Fork event during the Conservative leadership elections in 2022, with the first summit held in 2023.
NFU President Tom Bradshaw and NFU Director General Terry Jones attended this year鈥檚 event, which is now being held annually following a commitment secured by the NFU during its Conference earlier this year.
Wins
The summit coincided with several announcements which represent major wins for the NFU.
- The publication of a Food Security Index.
- A commissioner for the farming sector who has a non-statutory responsibility for helping to facilitate and resolve issues between landlords, advisors, and tenants.
- Confirmation of 拢72 million to help combat endemic disease.
- A 拢22 million infrastructure grant for laying hens to help poultry farmers improve the health, welfare, and productivity of their flocks.
- 拢75 million of funding for internal drainage boards.
- New regulations in Parliament for eggs, fresh produce and pigs to ensure contracts in the sector are reasonable and transparent.
- 拢3 million of support for abattoirs.
- A new producer organisation offer for the UK horticulture sector.
- A blueprint for growing UK horticulture.
Food Security Index
皇家华人welcomes the launch of the inaugural Food Security Index, which was announced by the Prime Minister at NFU Conference in February following a long campaign by the NFU.
The Food Security Index is designed to capture and present the data needed to monitor levels of food security annually, which is especially important against a backdrop of months of devastating flooding, unsustainably high production costs and low market returns.
The critical thing now will be how the government responds to the index in future to ensure that domestic production retains a fundamental role in our nations鈥� food security.
"It really puts farming and food production on the political agenda in a way which wouldn't be possible if they didn't have this strategic day"
— National Farmers' Union (@NFUtweets)
NFU President Tom Bradshaw () updates after attending the UK Farm to Fork Summit at No.10 this morning.
Importance for farmers and growers
NFU President Tom Bradshaw said: 鈥淚t was good to return to Number 10 today to see and hear the Prime Minister champion British food production, putting it at the top of the national political agenda. Food security is national security.
鈥淢any of today鈥檚 announcements are extremely welcome, particularly those long-term strategic ambitions around the launch of a UK Food Security Index and measures to boost the production of more British fruit and vegetables.
鈥淲e are pleased that the government has taken on board our calls for a bigger and more accessible replacement for the EU Fruit and Veg Aid Scheme, and a commitment to legislate to improve contractual relationships.
鈥淏ut we cannot forget that our members have experienced the wettest eighteen months since 1836, including devastating flooding, and many are facing an acute short-term crisis.
鈥淭he NFU鈥檚 recent confidence survey revealed just how tough it is out there currently 鈥� the reality is that some farmers and growers believe they may not survive long enough to benefit from today鈥檚 announcements.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 why, while we are pleased to see the Prime Minister and Defra saying UK food security is vital to our national security, we need actions in the short-term that underpin that statement, in order to rebuild confidence and resilience so farming businesses can continue producing food.
鈥淲e will continue to engage with ministers on the detail needed for the immediate relief our farm businesses require and believe that core standards for food imports also need to be part of the long-term offer.鈥�
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A closer look at our wins from the summit
New Food Security Index – what does it mean for British farming?
Laying Hen Housing for Health and Welfare grant round 1 – key details
Defra seeks views on egg sector “fair dealing” regulations
Egg marketing standards – removal of 16-week grace period
See our manifesto asks
Our manifesto
Our听general election manifesto 鈥� Farming for Britain's Future听鈥� outlines our key asks of the next government to ensure farmers and growers can continue to deliver for the environment, economy and local communities while producing more of the great British food we all enjoy.