The NFU manifesto – Why Farming Matters in the Election – was given a boost yesterday when a parliamentary motion was tabled calling for its policies to be adopted as future Defra objectives.
The Early Day Motion, tabled by the Labour MP for Chorley, Lindsay Hoyle, has gained cross-party support with signatories from the three main parties. While the EDM will not necessarily lead to anything tangible, it is a significant recognition of the importance of agriculture for a future government. It is also a testament to the high profile attention that the manifesto has received.
The EDM reads:
'That this House acknowledges the National Farmers' Union manifesto for farming recognises the depth of the challenge facing British farmers to maintain productivity levels, comply with environmental pressures and to sustain their businesses; and calls on the government to pledge its support to the British farming industry by taking the seven policy statements in the manifesto into account when formulating the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs objectives.'
Read Why Farming Matters in the Election here.