The NFU has been briefing MPs on how spiralling input costs threaten the UK’s food supply and the viability of farm businesses at this crucial time of year, and this week, following a statement from the Prime Minister about the situation in the Middle East, MPs from both sides of the house highlighted the challenges that their farming constituents are facing, from price spikes to volatile markets.
Red diesel
Labour MP Alison Hume (Scarborough and Whitby) told the PM that the “skyrocketing price of red diesel” was causing deep concern for farmers “with the busiest period of the farming calendar approaching”. She asked what measures the government was considering to support farmers with these escalating costs.
The continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which around 20% of the world’s oil and gas shipments pass, has caused oil prices to spike, driving up the cost of red diesel. Fertiliser has also been affected, as its production relies on natural gas, and one fifth of global ammonia and urea, also key inputs for fertiliser, passes through the Strait.
The NFU has called for improved transparency and market fairness in the pricing of red diesel and fertiliser and we are gathering reports from members to feed into government about the situation on farms.
Food security
Tim Farron MP (Liberal Democrat, Westmoreland and Lonsdale) raised the issue of food security and called on the Prime Minister for it to be prioritised alongside defence security and energy security. He also highlighted the impact of “the doubling of the price of red diesel for farmers who produce our food”.
Since the beginning of the conflict, NFU President Tom Bradshaw has met with Defra Secretary of State Emma Reynolds and Farming Minister Angela Eagle to underscore the threat to domestic food production posed by the conflict in Iran and the need to build long-term resilience in the farming sector to guard against global shocks such as this.
Energy costs
Liberal Democrat MP for Thornbury and Yate Claire Young asked when the government would act to support “energy-intensive sectors such as […] farming”. The NFU has urged the government to reform electricity standing charges for horticulture and other energy-intensive agricultural sectors.
NFU lobbying continues
It is encouraging to see MPs standing up for their farming constituents and ensuring their concerns are heard by the Prime Minister.
With no clarity about when shipping will resume through the Strait of Hormuz, and an increasing risk of fuel and fertiliser shortages, the NFU will continue to lobby MPs and the government to ensure that domestic food production is a priority for fuel supplies and the threat to farm businesses is fully understood.
