The ten-year strategy forms a central pillar of the UK ‘growth mission’ and should result in a policy landscape in selected areas that smooths investment and spurs growth.
The NFU made a powerful case across departments that UK food and drink – a sector that is already worth £146 billion to the nation and supports more than four million jobs – should be included.
The two focus areas, agri-tech under an ‘advanced manufacturing’ strand and precision breeding as part of a ‘digital and technology’ drive, mean that farmers and growers should see new opportunities to contribute to national growth, create jobs, cut emissions, boost productivity, and drive investment in sustainable food, fibre and energy production.
“With the right investment, farming has the potential to be a key driver in future growth and that’s why we have been pushing hard for it to be included in the Industrial Strategy.”
NFU Deputy President David Exwood
Their inclusion should also open up important links with other areas of industry identified as ripe for development under the strategy.
Precision breeding and innovation funding
Precision breeding came as a particularly pleasing inclusion for the NFU, after it lobbied for years to see the Precision Breeding Act become reality, with the regulatory process for new genetic technologies that could boost food security and farm resilience due to be in place this autumn.
While more specific detail will emerge, the announcement does include a clear commitment to continue investment in the Farming Innovation Programme with at least £200 million until 2030.
‘We have the blueprints’
NFU Deputy President David Exwood said: “Since winning the election almost a year ago, the government has repeatedly said it wants to deliver growth. As the backbone of the food and drink industry – the UK’s largest manufacturing sector – farming is in a great position to contribute to this.
“The UK agriculture sector is world class with innovative and tech-hungry farm businesses. With the right investment, farming has the potential to be a key driver in future growth and that’s why we have been pushing hard for it to be included in the Industrial Strategy.
“We already have proposals within our blueprints for growth to support the government’s goals and intend to feed these in as part of next steps.
“This focus on agri-tech should help farming businesses become more productive, sustainable and resilient, and ultimately deliver even more for the British people and the government’s growth ambition.”
