NFU East seeks Budget action to support the region's farmers
NFU East is highlighting the crucial need to support the region’s £13.6 billion agri-food chain ahead of the upcoming Budget.
Members and staff have been meeting MPs, councillors, stakeholders and banks to raise awareness of the serious challenges facing farm businesses and to call for action.
The NFU is urging the Chancellor to use the Budget to reduce the cost of producing food, restore farm business confidence and strengthen Britain’s food security.
“The government has said that food security is national security. It’s time for the Chancellor to match these words with action.”
NFU Regional Policy Manager Charles Hesketh
Regional Policy Manager Charles Hesketh said farmers are facing a crisis in cash flow and confidence, due to factors including the Middle East conflict and serious drought.
“We have been making a concerted effort to raise our Budget asks at every opportunity,” he said.
“This includes meetings with the Bank of England and Oxbury Bank, at the East Agri-Food Industry Council, and at five MP meetings in the past couple of weeks.
“We will continue to make the case right up until the Budget on 28 October.
“The government has said that food security is national security. It’s time for the Chancellor to match these words with action.”
A key NFU ask is for a government-backed, interest-free loan, linked to the losses caused by this summer’s drought. This would give farm businesses the working capital to invest in next year’s food production.
NFU Norfolk Council Representative Nick Deane said: “The Budget must be relentlessly focused on reducing the cost of producing food in Britain.
“Farmers need to be given confidence to invest in their business and be sure they can pass it on to future generations that can keep providing the food our country needs, while caring for the countryside and continuing to drive the economy.”
