NFU President Minette Batters told the Cornwall meeting of her continued frustration at the kind of trade deals being struck by the government and her hopes for the NFU’s ‘food summit’ which is being held in December.

“It is not about pulling up the drawbridge, but I feel strongly the Government should commit to backing British farming and the 60% food self-sufficiency figure,” she said.

Sofia Valles collects the 2021 Cornwall group secretary award

Gloucestershire members heard from NFU Deputy President Stuart Roberts, with the Summers Award for making an outstanding contribution to farming in the county given to Sue Pullen of Gloucestershire Farming Friends; the group secretary award going to Anthony Richardson from the Cinderford office.

Devon’s meeting heard from NFU Vice President Tom Bradshaw. Tom talked about how the policy mechanisms needed to enable farmers to prosper must be put in place.

There was also a panel discussion featuring three different farm businesses from across the region, looking at how they were facing up to the challenges ahead, including environmental legislation and sourcing labour.

Minette Batters also spoke at the Wiltshire county meeting, where she highlighted the NFU’s campaigning work with Jamie Oliver and Jeremy Clarkson and the work of the NFU’s education team, which has reached thousands of school children with virtual lessons.

There was also a debate about the economics of the emerging carbon market, with guest speaker Prof Louise Manning from the RAU warning farmers “not to give away” their ability to capture the greenhouse gas.

NFU Vice President Tom Bradshaw also spoke in Dorset, where he picked up the environmental theme, expressing his frustration at the “greenwash” surrounding the COP26 summit and the focus on dietary change rather than reducing the use of fossil fuels. There was also a lively debate about Red Tractor assurance.

Panel of speakers at the Devon county meeting