The NFU outlines its asks of government to prevent UK farm businesses from becoming collateral damage to global politics.
The NFU calls for the CBAM (carbon border adjustment mechanism), which is due to come into force in January 2027, to be postponed, and for a market review to be conducting in 12 months' time.
“British farmers largely rely on fertiliser to grow and produce our food, yet we no longer make it here. Adding a CBAM to this essential input as it arrives at our ports would pile even more costs onto farms already under intense pressure,” said NFU Deputy President Paul Tompkins.
Following increased reports of fuel theft as thieves target heating oil tanks, the NFU raises these concerns with the NRCN (national rural crime network) at its latest meeting.
In a joint statement, the four UK farming unions: the National Farmers’ Union, NFU Cymru, NFU Scotland and Ulster Farmers’ Union, highlight the significant uncertainty facing farmers as volatility in global energy markets, linked to ongoing tensions in the Middle East, continues to drive fluctuations in the cost and availability of key inputs such as red diesel and fertiliser.
The move follows calls from the NFU and government for more current data, as previously AHDB was updating on UK fertiliser price data on a monthly basis.
After the Chancellor tells MPs that the government is exploring targeted reductions to agri-food tariffs to help bring down food prices, the NFU warns this would have a marginal impact on inflation, but could have a devastating impact on domestic producers.
"I would strongly urge the government not to reduce agri-food tariffs on products we are producing here in the UK," says NFU President Tom Bradshaw.
Defra raises concerns with the CMA (Competition and Markets Authority) following the meeting with the NFU about the prices of fertiliser and red diesel.
In response, CEO of the CMA Sarah Cardell says the regulator would continue to monitor the impact on red diesel and fertiliser as part of its wider monitoring work.
She warns that the regulator would act “without hesitation, using our full range of powers, if there is evidence that competition or consumer protection law has been broken”.
NFU President Tom Bradshaw meets with Defra Secretary Emma Reynolds and Farming Minister Dame Angela Eagle to stress the need for greater price visibility and confidence in availability of key inputs.
He reports back that Defra is in listening mode, and that Ms Reynolds “recognised that volatility in the global energy market has a huge impact on our food supply chains here and they are watching this very closely”.