NFU ensures farming voice is heard by Conservative leaders
NFU Deputy President Paul Tompkins and Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs speaking at the Conservative Party Conference NFU Great British Breakfast
Meeting with Opposition Ministers, MPs, councillors, and industry leaders, the NFU had a strong presence at the Conservative Party Conference this year in Birmingham, keeping the issues facing farmers high on the agenda.
At the NFU’s Great British Breakfast, politicians, policymakers and industry stakeholders enjoyed fantastic British produce and heard about the issues facing NFU members.
In a speech to Conservative politicians and members, NFU Deputy President Paul Tompkins warned that this summer had been another difficult one for farmers.
Drought, disease in the form of bluetongue, and conflict in the Middle East are putting severe pressure on previously viable farms and creating acute cashflow problems. This has only been compounded by the roll-out of SFI, with many farmers unable to access this vital funding.
Farming’s contribution to the economy
Paul also spoke about the importance of farming’s contribution to the economy. Businesses create growth, and farmers and growers are uniquely placed to drive it in the countryside: agriculture generated £11.4 billion of gross value added to the economy in 2024 and supported 334,000 people in the agricultural workforce.
Our contribution to food security
With defence a key topic of discussion at the Conservative Party Conference, Paul stressed that food security is national security, and the ability to feed ourselves is a key pillar of our defence.
Plans for ministers to take control
The Opposition Defra Team were in attendance, and Shadow Defra Secretary Victoria Atkins announced that if the Conservatives won a General Election, they would abolish the Environment Agency and Natural England and take their powers directly back under ministerial control.
In response, the NFU Deputy President said: “Britain's farmers and growers are often frustrated with an environmental regulatory system which can be overly complicated, bureaucratic and difficult to navigate, so many of our members will welcome a serious debate about reform.
“The key question is what happens to the rules themselves, and whether we end up with a system that is simpler, more proportionate and better suited to the realities of farming and growing the nation's food.
“The NFU will continue to engage constructively with all political parties for changes that support both a thriving and resilient farm sector and the environmental outcomes we all want to see.”
Making the case for greater resilience
Paul held follow-up meetings to discuss the NFU’s priorities, including our Budget asks, with Opposition Farming Minister Robbie Moore and Opposition Nature Minister Aphra Brandreth, who was promoted to the Conservative frontbench this summer.
After the breakfast, Paul also appeared on a panel hosted by the Smith Institute that discussed whether the UK was ready for climate change, and made the case for greater resilience and adaptation in the agricultural sector.
