With dairy once again hitting the headlines, the NFU met this week with farming minister George Eustice to press the government for more support. NFU chief dairy adviser Sian Davies reports back.
She writes:
More of our staff blogs...
NFU chief environment adviser Diane Mitchell - CAP must strike right balance on food and the environment
NFU economist, Lucia Zitti - What do beekeepers and farmers have in common?
NFU economist, Lucia Zitti - Nine questions that need answers in the EU In-Out debate
NFU graduate trainee, Eleanor Birch - Rural business MUST escape digital dark age
Senior BPS adviser Richard Wordsworth - Why you need to think about greening for 2016 BPS claims now
Cheshire dairy farmer Robert Brunt - Balance to be struck between emissions and food
Head of government and parliamentary affairs, Matt Ware - What's the future for Defra, food and farming?
But what is the Government actually doing to support our dairy farmers through the most difficult market situation many have ever experienced?
When we met with George Eustice this week, I called for a number of short-term measures, including prompt payment of BPS monies, giving farmers who’re losing money more time to pay tax which is due in January, plus bringing in the five year tax averaging that was announced earlier this year.
We need a government that understands farming and that has a long-term ambition for the growth of our industry. It must send the right business signals...
I also believe government has a role in urging allied industries and the banks to be supportive and understanding of the current market downturn. They can also make a difference when it comes to clearer labelling and I’m glad to see movement in strengthening the UK voluntary code on labelling across all sectors, and the plan to bring in more signatories, including DairyUK.
The Government’s own procurement policy for dairy products is another area which Defra should be looking at to ensure all departments are supporting British agriculture in its time of need. Defra has a role in promoting British agriculture outside our shores too, and I urged the Mr Eustice to raise our concerns in Brussels, where alongside changes to market management measures such as private storage aid and intervention, there is work being carried out on labelling, school milk, promotion and reopening the EU dairy package.
Dairy farmers are proud to produce high quality products for domestic and export markets. We stressed the need for government to support exports – in opening new markets, simplifying the exporting process and reducing trade barriers.
Other issues on the table included the need to continue plans to eradicate bovine TB and to focus attention on other pressing animal health and environmental issues to reduce the burden on farmers.
What is needed now is a strong leadership on all of these issues. We need a government that understands farming and that has a long-term ambition for the growth of our industry. It must send the right business signals to the UK’s dairy farmers in challenging times, as well as in the future.