Key challenges facing farmers and growers were put under the spotlight when the NFU met politicians at the NFU’s hospitality stand.
Farmer members, NFU Deputy President Paul Tompkins and staff held roundtable discussions with Tatton MP Esther McVey, Chester South and Eddisbury MP Aphra Brandreth, MP for Congleton Sarah Russell and Shadow Farming Minister Robbie Moore at the show on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Issues discussed included national food security, trade deals, biosecurity, food standards, planning and water security. The challenges with the weather and bovine TB were also on the agenda during discussions.
The meetings were held as part of the NFU’s ongoing lobbying work with politicians from all political parties to deliver a positive future for British farmers and growers.
Cheshire County Chair Rob Brunt, who runs a dairy farm near Congleton, said: “There are currently a host of farming issues and policy the NFU is working on, including consultations on animal health and welfare, agri-environment schemes, permitting, air and water quality, dynamic alignment and others. We had a positive discussion and covered a lot of ground.
“It was great to see all MPs at the show, and we thank them for taking the time to talk with us as we push for policies that will benefit county farms.
“Farmers are facing some huge challenges at the moment, and we will continue to keep pressure on the government to reconsider some of these policies and to work with us to give farmers more confidence to invest in the future.
“This will enable our farms to be more resilient, deliver national food security and continue to deliver for the economy and the environment.”
Award-winning stand
The NFU’s Let’s Talk Farming marquee, which is organised and run by a group of local farmers and members, won best stand at the Royal Cheshire County Show.
Families and schoolchildren visited the education marquee throughout the show to meet the animals on stand and learn more about where their food comes from. Activities included apple pressing, digging for potatoes, feeding calves, lambing sheep and milking demonstrations.
The NFU’s presence at the show generated significant media coverage throughout the event including local radio and TV interviews. BBC North West Tonight ran a pre-recorded feature focused on the county’s young farmers and filmed live from the Let’s Talk Farming marquee.
NFU Cheshire County Adviser Helen Wainwright said: “It has been another hugely successfully year at the Royal Cheshire County Show, which was topped off by being awarded the top prize of best stand.
“The stars of the show this year were undoubtedly our younger team members, who deserve a huge round of applause for their knowledge, confidence and professionalism when speaking with the public.
“The feedback from the judges highlighted just how impressed they were with the way these young farmers engaged with visitors and communicated the story of where their food comes from. They were a real credit to themselves, their families and the industry.
“It is great to meet the public at the education tent and was also helpful to have politicians on our stand meeting NFU members and staff and have them hear our views. The NFU is working hard to tackle some major challenges, and the support of the public is vital to this work, and we are so grateful for the huge amount we receive from the people of Cheshire.”
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