“We've got to do a lot more about considering what water infrastructure looks like across the country.”
NFU Deputy President Paul Tompkins speaks to LBC News
UK-Switzerland trade deal
This week saw the government announce a trade deal between the UK and Switzerland, securing improved market access for beef, lamb, dairy and some horticultural products for UK farmers.
NFU President Tom Bradshaw was interviewed by BBC Radio 4’s Farming Today on Wednesday morning’s episode about the deal, which he said will allow UK traders to have better access to what is probably the “highest value food market in Europe”.
Tom Bradshaw talks UK-Swiss trade deal with BBC
Paul Tompkins speaks water availability with LBC News
Impact of extreme weather
Much of this week’s national news coverage has again focused on the impact of the heatwave, as high temperatures continue.
NFU Deputy President Paul Tompkins spoke to LBC News on Friday, 10 July, about how farmers can adapt to changing weather but need government support to do so.
Paul talked to LBC News on the topic again on Tuesday from a poultry farm in Shropshire. He highlighted the importance of water availability to help farmers to continue producing food in extreme weather conditions.
Members in the spotlight
Our members have also been out speaking to the media this week, including NFU East members Hugh Lowe Farms which has been supplying strawberries for Wimbledon for more than 25 years.
Farm director Amelia McClean told BBC’s Farming Today about how the farm has strengthened water resilience, which has helped their business during this week's heatwave.
Farming Today also caught up with Staffordshire member James Thomas at the Royal Horticultural Society’s annual show about the importance of show season for his business and the impact of the heat on his plants.
Regional highlights
This week also saw the NFU land front pages in two major regional newspapers.
Tom Bradshaw's interview with The Yorkshire Post at the Great Yorkshire Show was the splash on Tuesday, while NFU East member Andrew Blenkiron featured on the front page of the East Anglian Daily Times talking about how water levels on the reservoir on his farm have dropped amid soaring temperatures.
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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