Bedfordshire farmers took time out from harvest to meet local MP, Andrew Selous and update him on key farming issues.
The meeting took place as part of the #yourharvest campaign, set up by the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) in order to highlight the arable sector’s contribution to the economy, environment and society. The campaign has sought MPs’ support for policies that will allow crop production to thrive after Brexit.
NFU County Chairman, Gary Speirs, said: “This harvest has seen challenging conditions and yields are perhaps 15% below expectations. While there’s lots to do on farm, especially now, it was vital to meet Andrew and to brief him on important issues, both locally and nationally.”
“We work hard to put food on the table for the nation. Every year we will produce around 20 million tonnes of grain and 9 million loaves of bread are baked daily using British grain.
“British farmers are passionate about producing food in a way that sets standards for food safety and environmental care. We need MPs’ support to ensure farmers can continue this proud tradition to deliver as we leave the European Union, on a level playing field with competitors. We must have simple effective environmental schemes which are open to all and which recognise the value to the wider public.”
NFU members also raised the impact of rural crime and its effect s on local farm businesses within Andrew’s South West Bedfordshire constituency.
Andrew said: “It was a pleasure to meet Gary and his NFU members and thank you to the farmers who hosted and attended. They are hugely proud of the work they do growing food and caring for the countryside, and rightly so. I also recognise that rural crime is an important issue and I will continue to work with my local NFU on this.”