Voters in England go to the polls on 7 May with more than 4,850 council seats across 134 local authorities up for grabs.
The elections provide an ideal opportunity to shine a light on some of the huge challenges facing farmers in rural Britain such as rising crime rates, planning bureaucracy and a lack of broadband and mobile connectivity.
Find out what we’re asking for in our report: How local authorities can help shape the future of British farming.
“Decisions being taken by local authorities can have a direct and lasting impact on farm businesses and the communities they support.”
NFU President Tom Bradshaw
Key asks
Key areas identified where local government support is most impactful include:
- Planning: Ensuring local planning officers are trained in agricultural operations and farm needs, leading to consistent, informed decisions that support modern farming practices and diversified rural enterprises.
- Rural crime: Providing accessible waste disposal sites to help reduce fly-tipping; Ensuring markets operating under the local authority are sufficiently regulated and licensed to prevent the sale of stolen goods.
- Rural connectivity: Targeting persistent rural ‘not-spots’ and underserved rural communities and avoid clustering of investment in already well-served areas.
- Food procurement: Procuring at least 50% of the food the council requires from local farmers and growers.
Confidence severely low
Ahead of the elections, NFU President Tom Bradshaw said: “Farming is the backbone of our rural economy and lifeblood of rural communities. Our farmers manage over 70% of the landscape, protect and enhance the environment, and produce food for 70 million people.
“However, confidence within the sector remains severely low. Farm businesses are under extreme cost pressures for feed, fuel and fertiliser, exacerbated by geopolitical tensions, starting with the invasion of Ukraine and most recently the war in the Middle East, coupled with unpredictable climate and extreme weather all impacting on our ability to produce food.
“Decisions being taken by local authorities can have a direct and lasting impact on farm businesses and the communities they support. By championing pro-farming policies on areas such as planning, rural crime and the procurement of more British food, councils aren’t just supporting individual farming businesses — they can help turn the tide and shape the future of our industry by increasing our collective resilience.
“We are engaging with candidates to highlight the NFU’s Blueprints which outline the urgent need to invest in our farmers and growers at a local level to deliver jobs, kickstart rural economic growth and ensure UK food security.
“It’s never been more important to have a resilient British food and farming system with farmers and growers at its heart. We look forward to working with all newly-elected representatives to help create an environment for a thriving and profitable British farming industry.”
