All the county鈥檚 Labour MPs called into the stand for discussions with officeholders and members, and there was also a visit from Shadow Farming Minister Robbie Moore MP.
During the show, scores of members were helped to write letters to their MPs, describing the impact on family farms of the government鈥檚 inheritance tax changes.
Defra Secretary of State Steve Reed also attended the show and had a meeting with NFU Deputy President David Exwood.
Government must back farmers
Speaking during a reception at the stand David told members: 鈥淚t was great to see all four Labour MPs on stand. Some of the decisions this government has taken have been unfair, unjust and unforgivable but we have to work with them.
鈥淭his government has to back farmers. If they don鈥檛 put money in [to agriculture], trust will be broken. Confidence is at an all-time low and farmers are not investing.鈥�
Make the most of positive messages
But David said that despite the current problems it was vital the industry took advantage of the positive messages that were being put out by programmes like Clarkson鈥檚 Farm.
David also took part in a panel discussion which featured a look at tenancy issues and the next generation alongside tenants鈥� rep Rob Halliday, Cornwall YFC officeholder Beth Whell and Caroline Squire, adviser and rural surveyor from the TFA.
The panel took questions from the floor about matters including the best way to recruit and retain staff, the impact of environmental schemes on landlord/tenant relationships and whether parents made good bosses.
There was also a meet the farmer reception, featuring local producers Phillip Stansfield from the Cornish Cheese Company and Sam Lindo of Camel Valley Vineyard.
A right royal visit
The show hosted a royal visit, with the show鈥檚 patron, the Duke of Cornwall, and vice president, the Duchess of Edinburgh enjoying a tour of the Royal Cornwall Food and Farming Pavilion, where they sampled locally produced preserves, artisan gin, Cornish pasties, and Rattler cider.
The Duke then visited the Duchy of Cornwall stand and met several local mental health charities. This is a topic that is very close to his heart and one he is determined to raise awareness of, especially in rural and farming communities.
Show organisers announced an official attendance of 110,676, which is down on the 2024 figure, but said this was not unexpected after the weather took a turn for the worse on the final day.
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