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.
“Every extra cost on fertiliser runs the risk of feeding through the food chain, increasing the cost of producing food and adding to inflation for consumers.”
NFU Deputy President Paul Tompkins in The Telegraph
Iran war
The conflict in the Middle East has remained in the media spotlight this week.
The NFU continues to highlight how it is impacting UK farmers, growers and the wider food supply chain.
NFU President Tom Bradshaw has been quoted in The Guardian on the issue. Tom said the pressure faced by farm businesses will “only grow” if disruption to global oil and gas markets continued.
With farmers already facing rising costs because of the war, NFU Deputy President Paul Tompkins discussed government plans to implement a carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) for a story in The Telegraph.
Paul said the carbon tax would “pile even more costs on to farms already under intense pressure” and called for the tax to be postponed.
NFU Horticulture and Potatoes Board member Jon Swain has been interviewed by ITV News (16:50) as part of a feature on the impacts of the Iran war on farmers and growers.
As part of the story, ITV News' Economics Editor Joel Hills visited Jon at one of his heated greenhouses to discuss how rising gas and energy costs are affecting his tomato and cucumber growing business.
The interview was later picked up ITV News’ Instagram and TikTok.
Electricity standing charges
NFU national Horticulture and Potatoes Board Chair Martin Emmett was interviewed last week on the latest episode of the Farmers Weekly podcast (15:50) about electricity standing charges, as steep increases came into force at the beginning of April.
Martin spoke about how hikes in the rates for growers could impact food inflation and future crops supply.
British food production at Easter
With the Easter break taking place over the past week, NFU national Dairy Board Chair Ian Harvey was quoted in The Telegraph in an article about chocolate eggs being made with palm oil rather than British milk.
Ian urged all chocolate manufacturers to “back British dairy farming by continuing to source local dairy ingredients”.
NFU Livestock Board Chair David Barton spoke about the cost of lamb on Easter Sunday in an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live (1:28:00). He said he was “confident” British lamb will continue to be in demand despite its price increase.
David has also written an open letter urging retailers to continue backing British farming following reports that British roasting joints were being mixed with New Zealand and Australian produce and positioned on shelves under signs of the Union Jack.
Earlier this week, he was also interviewed on BBC Breakfast after inheritance tax rules came into force on 6 April. David talked about the impact of facing an “impossible position to a difficult one” and the hopes the farm will remain in the family. David also highlighted the financial challenges in continuing to produce food and run profitable, sustainable businesses, offset against those involved in planning for the future.
Members in the spotlight
- The i Paper – interview with NFU South member Richard Heady
- NBC News – interview with NFU East member, John Rix, at his farm in Essex
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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