Senior NFU officeholders joined York and North Yorkshire Mayor David Skaith on 8 July in the wake of serious challenges for food production, rural businesses and the countryside and to discuss ways to help county business thrive.
At the Great Yorkshire Show, an NFU panel discussed a new report from the mayor and other issues threatening the future of Yorkshire family farms.
These include:
- the current drought
- the government’s proposed changes to inheritance tax
- concerns that US bioethanol imports could displace our own bioethanol
- rural crime
- a lack of fairness in the supply chain
- uncertainty over the future of SFI.
NFU President Tom Bradshaw, NFU Vice-president Rachel Hallos and NFU West Riding County Chair Richard Pears were at the show to discuss the new report with the mayor and other key stakeholders, exploring ways of working together to overcome some of the challenges.
Report makes for concerning read
Senior NFU officeholders agreed the report made for concerning reading, with many farmers struggling to keep their businesses viable. If left unchecked, Yorkshire's food production will be severely undermined in addition to farmers' ability to maintain and protect the countryside.
The report has identified that 52% of county farms do not make a profit and proposed changes to inheritance tax could increase the proportion of farms with an unsustainable profit to 61%, even with tax planning, with this increasing to 73% if businesses don’t seek advice.
“Farm businesses are often the bellwether of the rural economy, and many have curtailed investment.”
NFU President Tom Bradshaw
NFU President Tom Bradshaw described farm businesses as “the bellwether of the rural economy”, adding that many have curtailed investment on their farms because every penny they have, or could have borrowed, will now have to go on saving the future of the farm.
He added: “From Yorkshire builders to vets and feed merchants, fencers, machinery dealers and tool manufacturers, there’s been talk of calls drying up and order books looking sparse for the rest of the year as their customers – county farmers – face a cash flow and confidence crisis.
“The NFU is pleased to join Ripon Farm Services, which is the largest agriculture machine dealership in Yorkshire, and David Skaith at the show to highlight the issues that matter and consider the way forward.”
Sustained pressure
David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, said: "Farmers don't want a handout, but this report highlights that, after sustained challenges, they are overdue a helping hand.
“As mayor of a region that is home to almost 7,000 farms, I have a duty to offer that helping hand.
“The report I commissioned shows the sustained pressure on farms and farmers, and highlights ways in which we can work collaboratively with farmers and farming organisations to improve the profitability and resilience of farms in our region."
Richard Simpson, CEO of Ripon Farm Services, noted the extreme economic pressure farmers are under. "Add to this the ongoing impact of unpredictable and extreme weather, rising input costs, fluctuating commodity prices and increased regulatory burdens, it’s clear that the future of UK agriculture hangs in the balance,” he said.
Farmers critical to rural economy
Key issues raised during the NFU panel discussion at the Great Yorkshire Show also included engaging politicians, accessing labour, support for the sector during extreme weather, improved market transparency and fairness and the need for more police resources to tackle rural crime, among other issues.
The panel also looked at how now, more than ever, support for British farmers is critical to the entire rural economy and why the need for investment in the future of farming across Yorkshire has never been more important.
“As Mayor of a region that is home to almost 7,000 farms, I have a duty to offer that helping hand.”
Mayor of York and North Yorkshire David Skaith
NFU West Riding County Chair, Richard Pears, said what Yorkshire farmers needed now was confidence and “real, meaningful action”.
He added: “The NFU continues to push for more commitment from the government to secure a more resilient and sustainable future for our farming families and it has never been more important to have our members’ voices heard.
“Yorkshire Show is a superb platform to do this and gives us the opportunity to meet up, discuss businesses, showcase our industry, and engage with politicians from all parties to ensure we have a more positive future for the county’s farming community and allied trade.”
Push for firm commitments from Farming Minister
NFU President Tom Bradshaw also held talks with Farming Minister Daniel Zeichner at the show to highlight key issues facing the farming sector.
They were joined by Yorkshire farmers and NFU members in a roundtable discussion where senior officeholders put questions to the minster to discuss the state of the industry and plans for growth.
With recent government changes in policy, the NFU reminded the minister of the many benefits farming provides in terms of food production, to jobs, the environment and communities and made it clear how support and investment in the sector will ensure this continues.
Other key topics discussed included support for upland farmers and clarification on the future of SFI.
The importance of water for food production and abstraction was also high on the agenda given the current drought affecting farmers and growers across the region and further afield.
NFU President Tom Bradshaw said: “The conversation was positive, and it was good to hear that there is a will to work collaboratively, which was welcomed by all the farmers attending the meeting.
“We all recognise the problems, and we have put forward the solutions.
“Let’s increase the confidence of our farmers by giving them the support they need right now.
“We are proud to produce British home-grown food and care for our beautiful countryside, but we need the confidence that government supports our farmers and growers too.”