The NFU 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’s event, which is now being held annually following a commitment secured by the NFU during its Conference earlier this year.
The summit coincided with several announcements representing major wins for the NFU, including:
- 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 £72 million to help combat endemic disease.
- A £22 million infrastructure grant for laying hens to help poultry farmers improve the health, welfare, and productivity of their flocks.
- £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.
- £3 million of support for abattoirs.
- A new producer organisation offer for the UK horticulture sector.
- A blueprint for growing UK horticulture.
Mr Bradshaw said: “It was good to return to Number 10 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.
“We 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 – but 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.
“The NFU’s recent confidence survey revealed just how tough it is out there currently – the reality is that some farmers and growers believe they may not survive long enough to benefit from today’s announcements.
“That’s 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.
“Many of today’s 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.”
