From live broadcast interviews to national newspaper features, we have continued to work behind the scenes to ensure the voice of British farming is heard loud and clear.
“Some farmers are being acutely impacted. There are sheep farmers in Yorkshire who have seen their water pressure fall to zero.”
NFU Deputy President Paul Tompkins speaking to The Observer
Dry weather
Coverage of the impacts of the hot and dry weather on farming and food production has continued this week.
NFU Deputy President Paul Tompkins has been quoted in several national outlets outlining the pressures being faced by farmers and growers, including:
The issue remained high on the news agenda over the weekend, with Paul quoted by a number of national news outlets highlighting both the immediate challenges and the need for greater resilience in the face of a changing climate.
Coverage included:
- (Print) The Sunday Express
- The Observer
- The Independent – warnings that farmers "can't carry on like this" amid dry conditions, featuring NFU Midlands member Ben Andrews
- The Independent – analysis of the UK's "record-breaking" summer
Paul also discussed the issue in broadcast interviews with:
• Sky News' News Hour
• Sky News Radio
• LBC News
Other media interviews on this topic include:
- The Times – interview with NFU Horticulture and Potatoes Vice-chair Stephen Shields
- BBC Radio 4's Farming Today – interview with NFU East members Barfoot Farms
- BBC News Online – interview with NFU North member Olly Harrison and NFU Cheshire Vice-chair Julie Egglestone
Farm Safety Week
Last week marked Farm Safety Week, which is managed and funded by the Farm Safety Foundation, otherwise known as Yellow Wellies, and helps to raise awareness of the importance of keeping safe on farm and aims to inspire change.
NFU Crops Board Vice-chair Andrew Williamson was interviewed on Farmers Weekly’s podcast about his experience of a combine fire last year, while NFU North member Olly Harrison appeared on GB News to highlight the dangers of working in agriculture.
Poultry production
The NFU calling out the use of “industrial” when referencing poultry farming was discussed on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme following claims by scientists that modern poultry production has contributed to an increase in the spread of Campylobacter.
Responding to wider debate on the sector, NFU Poultry Board Chair Will Raw wrote to The Guardian, arguing that constructive engagement with farmers, rather than criticism of modern poultry production, is essential to delivering both food security and environmental goals.
Regional highlights
In the midlands, the NFU’s response and asks around wildfires and moorland grazing have been in the Derby Telegraph, Derbyshire Live and Buxton Advertiser. with Midlands regional board chair and county farmer Jane Bassett on Greatest Hits Radio.
In the north, NFU North Dairy Board and Cumbria member Neil Young have been interviewed by BBC Radio Cumbria about the impact of dry weather on farming.
Over in the east, NFU Surrey Chair Jim Simmons told BBC London News that yields are down by 25% on his farm due to the dry weather.
Tell your story
If you’ve been affected by any of the issues covered in the news this week and want to share your story, contact our press and editorial teams.
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