Agriculture alone is worth around £1.1bn annually to the South West and about £319m to Devon. Around 60,000 people are directly employed in agriculture across the region, about 18,500 of them in Devon.
The union will be emphasising the crucial role economic role farming plays in the economy of the South West by arranging for many of the suppliers who work with Devon NFU county chairman Jim Stephens to meet NFU President Meurig Raymond and EU Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan, who will be the NFU’s guest at the show.
Times have been particularly tough for farmers over the last 18 months or so. According to the Bank of England, farm borrowing has gone up by eight per cent to around £17.6bn, whilst the latest Defra figures show that farm incomes have declined by 29 per cent. Tractor sales, a good indicator of the health of the agricultural sector, have gone down by nearly 13 per cent in the last year.
“We must not forget that whilst we are finding it hard, that makes it equally tough for those in industries allied to farming,” said Jim, a sheep and beef farmer from Sandford near Crediton, who has invited many of the businesses he works with along to the NFU’s stand.
“As farmers we are at the hub of the community. I was thinking of all the people we come into contact with: vets, feed suppliers, solicitors, accountants, butchers, machinery suppliers, agronomists; all sorts of people who depend on a profitable farming industry to make their own living.
“That is why it is essential we do as much as we can to improve the outlook for British farming.”
Melanie Squires, regional director of the South West NFU said: “We will be taking the opportunity to show the Commissioner just how many other businesses and allied trades depend on a thriving farming sector for their own survival.”
There will be a question and answer session with Meurig Raymond and Commissioner Hogan at 10.30am on 19 May in the NFU marquee, which will be in its usual place above the livestock ring.
Along with continued pressure on farm gate prices across all sectors, red tape and bovine TB the forthcoming EU referendum is certain to be high on the agenda and there will be a discussion of the issues at 11:45 on 19 May with former Environment Secretary Owen Paterson MP, Neil Parish MP and Meurig Raymond.
There will also be the opportunity to discuss agricultural issues with Meurig Raymond at 3pm that day and with NFU Deputy President Minette Batters at 3pm on 20 May.
Terry Jones, the NFU’s director general, will also be attending the show on 19 May; Devon will be the first show Mr Jones has visited since taking up the post in April.
Members are invited to call in for complimentary drinks throughout the show – hot and cold food will also be available as usual.