NFU President Tom Bradshaw spoke at a special reception for members on the first day of the show, which featured sparkling strawberries and cream.
The event was sponsored by NFU panel firm Birketts, with wine from Castlewood Vineyard and cream from Langage Farm.
Huge range of policy
Tom told a busy marquee that the NFU was working across a huge range of policy areas, including making the Government aware of the impacts of the war in Iran and the importance of bolstering food security, which would include reducing the commercial barriers to farm growth.
“We're producing less poultry than we were five years ago, less vegetables than we were five years ago, less cereals than we were 20 years ago, and less red meat. That is not a supply chain that is resilient,” said Tom.
“When we look at the geopolitical pressures that we see around the world, where we see that climate change is having an impact on food production, we've got to look at how can we rebuild the productive capacity of UK agriculture to deliver for 70 million people.”
There was also a farewell to Exeter Group Secretary Richard Pyle, attending his last county show in an official capacity. Richard is retiring after 40 years working for the NFU and NFU Mutual.
Devon County Chair David Chugg thanked Richard for all his hard work over a long career.
Sheep Vision launch
On the second day of the show there was a launch event for the NFU’s Sheep Vision.
National Livestock Board Chair David Barton and Vice-chair Clare Wise spoke at a special launch reception for the vision, which outlines how the sector can deliver growth, environmental benefits and food security.
David and Clare speak at the Sheep Vision launch
Clare, a fifth-generation farmer from County Durham, told members: “We need government, industry and the entire supply chain to back the policies we’ve outlined in our vision.
“This will give sheep farmers the confidence to invest in their businesses and maintain breeding capacity, drive growth and build a resilient, sustainable and thriving sheep sector, one that can meet increasing demand at home and abroad.”
Following the presentation David and Clare took questions about topics including bluetounge, the provision of local abattoirs and how uplands farming can be supported.
A packed stand
The NFU stand was packed across the three days with members taking the opportunity to enjoy some refreshments and talk to members of the regional and national teams as well as meeting representatives form Acorus Planning and NFU Energy.
Visitors included Shadow Defra Secretary Robbie Moore, MPs Richard Foord, Ian Roome, David Reed and Mel Stride, as well as Devon and Cornwall Police rural crime team.
The stand also drew a lot of media attention. Radio Devon broadcast live from the stand on the first day, with County Chair David Chugg and Deputy Chair Cathy Case both featuring in the programme.
NFU officeholders also appeared on ITV Westcountry and BBC Spotlight as well as Greatest Hits Radio and LBC.