Braving rain to get Manchester to back farming

A digital advertising van was placed near the commuter hub of Piccadilly Gardens displaying eye catching artwork with the slogan “It’s time to Back British farming”.

Assisted by NFU staff, North West based members from the dairy, livestock and crops sectors battled a typical Manchester downpour, having conversations about the perilous financial state of many farming and growing businesses with workers and shoppers as they left their trams and buses.

National dairy adviser Rosie Maltby was also in attendance with vice-chairman of the national NFU Dairy Board Michael Oakes.

Due to the current high profile in the media regarding problems within the dairy industry, understandably, many consumers wanted to ask questions of the dairy farmers present - the majority pledging support and wishing them well in the fight to stop farm-gate milk price cuts.

However, all those present made sure dairy did not dominate with NFU staff also keen to point out that lamb producers are experiencing low prices whilst competing against an influx of New Zealand product.

From a North West perspective, we also made shoppers in Manchester aware that the horticultural growers of West Lancashire are also suffering as they are continually forced to fund supermarket promotions, whilst dealing with huge labour costs and battling to keep their businesses from going under water when the Environment Agency turn off drainage pumps.

Unsurprisingly because of the weather, many folk had their heads down and simply wanted to get from ‘A’ to ‘B’. Those who did stop were given stickers, key rings and promotional literature explaining why it’s time to support British farming.

“In recent weeks we have seen farmers take part in protests which shows the level of desperation felt by some facing severe financial hardship in the current situation. Farming as a business has relatively long production cycles to produce the nation’s food. What happens one year will continue to have impacts for the immediate years to follow.

"Back in 2012/13 we saw that the weather is one factor that can cause extreme uncertainty, today however, that volatility is being caused by uncertainty in markets which is not helped by retailers playing fast and loose on promotions, a lack of investment across the board and pressure from increased imports.

“We have met with the UK Farming Unions this week and agreed a list of urgent actions to move us on from this current dire situation. Nobody would want a situation where Britain produced less than half the food it needs, we need action now to ensure that the British public – who tell us time and time again that they want to buy British – have that option in the future.”

It's Time to Back British Farming - find out more and download free resources here.