The NFU President joined the first meeting, which was chaired by Defra Secretary Emma Reynolds, alongside other representatives from across the supply chain.
The creation of the Board builds on the work of Baroness Batters’ Farm Profitability review; its initial work will focus on sector growth plans, starting with horticulture and poultry.
Defra has said these plans will be ‘led by industry and co-designed with government’, with the focus on these two sectors reflective of their potential to drive growth and increase domestic production.
It has confirmed work on the horticulture plan will begin immediately, followed by poultry in the summer.
“We look forward to working with the Board to ensure profitability and productivity are at the heart of farming and growing businesses.”
NFU President Tom Bradshaw
Key to resilience
Following the meeting, NFU President Tom Bradshaw said: “The first Farming and Food Partnership Board could not come at a more opportune time. As the geopolitical outlook becomes more uncertain with the conflict in the Middle East and ongoing war in Ukraine it is essential that we build a resilient domestic food and farming industry.
“We look forward to working with the Board to ensure profitability and productivity are at the heart of farming and growing businesses, as this is key to building a stable, homegrown agriculture sector that is resilient for the long term.”
Defra Secretary Emma Reynolds said: “The first Farming and Food Partnership Board meeting marks a major moment for British farming, bringing the whole food chain together to deliver real change for farm and food businesses.
“We are working with industry to boost productivity and profitability, support innovation, drive growth and make it easier for the whole supply chain – from farm to fork – to succeed.”
Defra also reiterated that it is working closely with the industry to support farmers facing rising diesel and fertiliser costs linked to the Iran war. Ms Reynolds attended a COBR meeting on Monday to coordinate the response, and Ministers continue to raise concerns about price gouging with the CMA (Competition and Markets Authority).
Photograph: Defra
