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.
Quote of the week
“I’d like to thank all the Labour MPs who have stood up to show that they cannot support this pernicious policy.”
NFU President Tom Bradshaw on the Finance Bill’s IHT resolution vote
Inheritance tax
The NFU’s campaign on the family farm tax made headlines this week, as the NFU’s efforts on Tuesday to urge Labour MPs to abstain from voting on a Finance Bill resolution related to the family farm tax were covered by the Independent, Daily Mail, Sky News and Daily Express, with Tom was quoted thanking MPs who stood with farming families. Politico’s London Playbook PM also amplified our call – a key read for those in Westminster, this ensured our call landed in MPs inboxes just before the vote. Politico's Wednesday morning London Playbook newsletter also covered the number of Labour MPs who abstained.
Autumn Budget
Reaction to the Autumn Budget was equally widespread. Tom Bradshaw spoke to BBC Radio 4’s Farming Today (10:07) and GB News’ Breakfast with Stephen and Anne (1:04:16), stressing that the Chancellor’s small tweaks to inheritance tax for farms does not go far enough to address the human impact. He emphasised how the NFU’s campaign will continue, while also welcoming positive news on apprenticeships and raising concerns about the impact of minimum wage rises.
Further overage included The Guardian, The Times, Daily Express, GB News online, Daily Mail and The Telegraph’s live Budget reporting. Tom’s comments were also reiterated in presenter Nicky Campbell’s discussion of the Budget’s impact on ordinary people on BBC Radio 5 Live (10:35) and on BBC Radio 4’s Six O’Clock News (13:53).
Finally, an opinion piece in The Telegraph from farmer and columnist Jamie Blackett discussed how the government fails to understand the plight of farmers, addressing the Chancellor’s refusal to meet with Tom Bradshaw over the policy.
Tom Bradshaw on the family farm tax
Tom Bradshaw on Budget announcements
International trade
Beyond Westminster, trade talks kept farming firmly in the spotlight.
Politico reported on Tom Bradshaw's concerns over beef access being deprioritised in UK-US negotiations. The article also references the joint letter the NFU, other UK farming unions, WWF and the RSPCA wrote to the Prime Minister, warning that concessions on beef, dairy and poultry could undermine the UK’s high welfare and environmental protections. Politico’s Morning Trade UK newsletter also highlighted Tom’s call for a swift implementation of the 13,000-tonne beef quota with the US to safeguard the UK's market access.
The Daily Mail covered Tom giving evidence to the House of Commons’ Business and Trade Committee on the UK-India trade deal, where he stressed the need for reciprocal dairy access and warned the government to not use farming as a “sacrificial lamb” in trade deals. His attendance at the session was also trailed in Politico’s London Playbook newsletter.
Elsewhere in the news
- ITV’s Good Morning Britain reported on the government’s commitment to end badger culling, referencing the NFU’s stance that it remains a crucial tool in tackling bTB.
- The Telegraph featured Lincolnshire member David Hoyles, who is adapting to climate change by growing olive trees, while Montgomeryshire member Sarah Yeomans raised concerns over holiday let regulations and council tax rules.
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.
Email: [email protected]
Or contact our press team below:
Lucy Wood
NFU Press Officer