From BBC Breakfast, BBC News at One and Sky News to the Financial Times, The Times and The Guardian, we’ve been highlighting the impact of the challenging weather conditions on farmers and growers, responding to the government's £65 million support package and meeting with the Prime Minister to discuss the challenges facing the industry.
Take a look at some of the key places we've been making our voices heard this week.
“We need this to be a starting point for an urgent conversation with government.”
NFU President Tom Bradshaw speaking to BBC Breakfast
Dry weather
Dry weather continued to dominate the news agenda this week, with NFU representatives and members highlighting the growing impact on farm businesses and wider food production.
NFU President Tom Bradshaw has spoken on the topic with national broadcasters including:
- Times Radio
- LBC – Long-form YouTube piece also featuring NFU East Regional Board Chair Caroline Harriott
Tom also penned an opinion piece in the Financial Times, outlining the need for a planning system “that recognises food production as a national priority”.
NFU Deputy President Paul Tompkins has spoken on the topic in interviews with:
- BBC Breakfast – NFU member Amy Eggleston also interviewed live from her dairy farm in Leicestershire
- BBC News at One
Paul was further quoted by the Express, highlighting the need for “meaningful action” to be taken to strengthen the resilience of the country’s food production system.
NFU Acting Livestock Board Chair Clare Wise and NFU Horticulture and Potatoes Board Chair Martin Emmett spoke to The Guardian about the impact of the dry weather on their sectors.
Finally, NFU Crops Board member Ryan McCormack spoke to The Times about the effect of weather conditions on yields at his Suffolk arable farm.
Government support package
At the end of last week, the government announced support for farmers and growers who are continuing to produce the nation’s food in prolonged dry conditions, including a £65 million funding boost.
Following the announcement, NFU President Tom Bradshaw was interviewed by:
- BBC Breakfast
- BBC 5 Live Breakfast
- Sky News
- Farming Today
Following a visit to a farm in Cornwall with Prime Minister Andy Burnham, Tom was also quoted by The Mirror and BBC News Online. He said the measures were a "really welcome start", but added that "it doesn't affect the crisis today”.
NFU Deputy President Paul Tompkins discussed the support package in interviews with LBC, ITV News and LBC News.
Paul Tompkins was further quoted in The Telegraph welcoming the funding as a "step in the right direction" while stressing that it is not the complete solution to the immediate challenges facing farmers and growers.
Members in the spotlight
NFU member Eleanor Gilbert spoke to the Financial Times about how she is having to harvest through the night to beat the heat following a fifth heatwave in just months.
NFU Shropshire Chair Kate Mayne was quoted in The Sun, highlighting the difficulties farmers are facing irrigating crops during the hot and dry weather.
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