With coverage across ITV, BBC, the Daily Mail, The Telegraph and the Financial Times, here are some of the places we’ve been making our voices heard this week.
“No farmer wants a lifetime’s work to become a burden for a family grieving their loss.”
NFU President Tom Bradshaw writing in The Telegraph about the family farm tax
Drought and food security
The impact of this summer’s drought continues to be covered by the media. ITV Tonight interviewed NFU President Tom Bradshaw this week about the immediate crisis facing farmers and growers following the challenging weather, with NFU Dairy Board Vice-chair Rob Davies and members Eleanor Gilbert and Rodger Hobson also featuring.
Tom was also quoted by the Daily Mail on the topic in a story about the rising costs of staple food products and by The Financial Times about the government’s drive to increase public procurement from British businesses.
The topic of drought has also been further covered by BBC News Online, who interviewed NFU South member Sarah Sladen from the Newbury Show about charity grants supporting farm businesses affected by this summer’s drought.
NFU Huntingdon member and potato grower Luke Abblitt was also interviewed by Nick Ferrari on LBC’s breakfast show about the impact of this summer’s drought on potato production
SFI and the Budget
Following the opening and closure of window two of SFI, NFU Vice-president Robyn Munt was interviewed on BBC Radio 4’s Farming Today, calling for a system that matches farmers’ ambition and provides greater certainty.
This week, the NFU also outlined its asks to government to reduce the cost of producing food and restore farm business confidence in the upcoming autumn Budget. Writing exclusively for The Telegraph, NFU President Tom Bradshaw urged the government to scrap the family farm tax.
Rural crime
The Daily Mail has featured comments from NFU Vice-president Robyn Munt in a story highlighting the impact of hare coursing on farms. The newspaper also speaks to farmer, Tom, about his experience of hare coursing gangs targeting his Hampshire farm.
Regions in the spotlight
It has been another busy week across our regions, with our fantastic members making their voices heard and sharing their stories with the media.
Over in the East, NFU Hertfordshire member Will Dickinson was told there was a 75% chance he would never walk again after being crushed by hay bales.
Now he is due to make a full recovery.
Will is determined to use his story to support the NFU's work to promote farm safety and to help others stay safe on farm. He was interviewed along with NFU North Hertfordshire Vice Chair Will Grovestock on ITV London and ITV Anglia.
In the North, Lancashire vice chair Jon Forshaw was interviewed on ITV Granada about food security.
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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