Our work behind the scenes ensures the voices of farmers and growers are heard loud and clear by the public, politicians and key decision-makers.
Catch up on where you, our members, have featured in the news, where we’ve been, what we’ve said and how the media is helping push farming up the agenda.
You can also keep up to date with all of our activity by following us on X (formerly Twitter) @NFUPress.
“Farmers and growers are seeing a huge increase in the risk and the cost of growing the crops without knowing whether we’re going to be able to pass that cost on and get any of that increased investment back.”
NFU President Tom Bradshaw speaking to BBC News
Iran war
The war in Iran and the subsequent disruption to global oil and gas markets has again been highlighted in ongoing media coverage this week.
The NFU and its members continue to voice their concerns about how the conflict is impacting UK farmers and growers and the wider food supply chain.
NFU President Tom Bradshaw was interviewed on the BBC News channel last week on the issue. He suggested the UK should hold stocks of fertiliser to try and “guard against some of the global volatility that is becoming all too frequent at the moment”.
Tom also spoke to Tom Swarbrick on LBC (1:10:00) about the effects of the conflict on farming and food. He said the longer disruption to global supply chains continues, the “wider the implications are for next year and beyond”.
NFU members have also been busy in the media this week talking about how their farming businesses have been impacted by the Iran war.
They have been interviewed by:
- BBC News Online - NFU South members Neil Cole and Cornwall County Chair Ashley Jones.
- BBC News Online – NFU Midlands members Ali Capper and Ben Savidge.
- BBC Radio 5 Live (2:13:00) – Ali Capper also spoke with BBC Radio 5 Live about how her production costs have gone up.
- BBC Radio 5 Live (1:09:00) - NFU Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland County Chair, Rachel Fyfe.
- BBC News Verified Live (07:00).
- BBC News Online – interview with NFU South member, Jim Hopper.
Tom talks Iran war on BBC news
Luke Abblitt teaches children about potatoes
UK-EU SPS negotiations
The NFU’s position on the SPS (Sanitary and Phytosanitary) negotiations with EU on food and drink rules was highlighted on the latest episode of The Guardian’s Today in Focus podcast (18:15), one of the UK's top news and current affairs podcasts, during talks about the UK forming closer ties with the EU. This follows reports that the Prime Minister is preparing to adopt single market rules under new legislation.
NFU figures on EU exports were also mentioned during discussions on the topic on Times Radio (1:57:00).
Members in the media
North Regional Board Chair, William Maughan, was interviewed by BBC News Online in response to the government’s announcement of plans to allocate a further £1 million towards exploring the reintroduction of golden eagles.
And finally, NFU East member Luke Abblitt, otherwise known as Farmer Luke, has featured on an episode of CBeebies programme, What’s in Your Plant Pot, teaching children all about his job as a potato farmer.
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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