While Ministers were gearing up for their first week back in the House of Commons, the NFU Poultry Board were only a few doors down, taking questions from MPs and Peers across the political spectrum.
More than 25 parliamentarians attended the event, including Farming Minister Mark Spencer, and Shadow Farming Minister Daniel Zeichner.
MPs arrived armed with questions and the board members were ready to provide answers. All were keen to hear directly from farmers about the challenges poultry producers are currently facing, with AI (Avian Influenza), supply chain issues, energy and feed costs high on the agenda.
Poultry Board chair James Mottershead said:“The reception we had from MPs was ‘tell us more of these issues’ and ‘I didn’t know that, tell me how I can help’,” said James.
“It’s fantastic to have the opportunity to put forward potential solutions to some of our problems and they were well received.
“It was a big moment for me to be able to stand in front of the Farming Minister and Shadow Farming Minister as well as my own MP and tell them the severity of the challenges we’re facing, and what the repercussions of inaction could be.
“To other members I would say we all need to be treating MPs as major stakeholders within our businesses. When you explain the issues you face, they get it, which is why we should never be afraid to meet with our local MP so that they can understand the challenges and go on to represent us in parliament.”
