The visit to a dairy farm at Ambergate, near Belper, allowed the Minister and Derbyshire Dales MP, John Whitby, to hear directly from the NFU and its members about the challenges and opportunities within the sector.
A central theme of the visit was on dairy contracts but a whole host of other issues were discussed including inheritance tax.
During the visit the Minister met host dairy farmers and NFU members Michael and Jo Oulton and their son Barney, as well as NFU Dairy Board Chair Paul Tompkins, Hartington farmer Jane Bassett, NFU Midlands regional chair, and Shottle farmer Emily Mosley.
“I felt the Minister and John Whitby MP were interested and receptive and I hope these discussions can now continue as we look ahead to the Budget and beyond.”
NFU Derbyshire and Regional Chair Jane Bassett
Profitable future
Michael Oulton, who sits on the NFU Midlands Regional Dairy Board, said it remained important to get MPs and members of the Cabinet out on farm and show them food production first-hand.
He said: “Speaking with politicians out on the farm to see what we do remains crucial, especially as our businesses continue, in the face of great challenges, to make a real contribution – we want this to continue.
“We’ve had to deal with a huge amount over the past two years from extreme weather to market volatility, policy changes and other issues and want to get on and produce food for the nation, care for the countryside and help grow and drive the economy.
“Farmers want to have confidence going forward and a future where we can invest and be profitable.”
'Invaluable' work
At the meeting, the Minister was able to see the family’s 370-strong herd of cows and tour the family business.
Photograph: Exposure photography
Farming Minister Dame Angela Eagle said: “I want to thank Michael and the whole team at Springfield Farm – as Farming Minister, it is invaluable to see the sterling work undertaken by our farmers to put food on our tables.
“Supporting farmers to run profitable businesses is vital for food security and growing the whole economy.
“We’re backing British farmers to create a productive, profitable, and sustainable future for farming. Through new technology, streamlined regulation, and nature-friendly farming schemes, we’re providing the right conditions to help farmers produce food for the nation.”
Minister pressed on SFI
During the visit, the group discussed milk production, challenges for the sector and the vital role of the Agricultural Supply Chain Adjudicator to ensure producers receive fair treatment across the supply chain.
Environmental schemes also featured prominently and the group welcomed the successful roll over of Countryside Stewardship Mid Tier agreements for thousands of farmers following several months of NFU campaigning.
There was also a focus on the next phase of SFI, with the group keen to stress the need for transparency over budgets and timelines for SFI rollout.
This, they said, would ensure farms could continue to deliver high quality, traceable, nutritious, affordable food alongside positive environmental outcomes through the new scheme.
Looking ahead to the Budget
Derbyshire Dales MP John Whitby, who represents the constituency, also highlighted the importance of maintaining a balance between environmental delivery and food production to help safeguard national food security.
Photograph: Exposure Photography
Bovine TB, tenant farming issues and access for new entrants were also put under the spotlight, and the group highlighted opportunities for those coming into the industry.
They talked about the significant contribution of farms to rural economies and the exciting, innovation and science-driven opportunities within farming sectors.
As expected, priorities were also discussed ahead of the Autumn Budget on 26 November and they urged the Minister to continue making the case to the Treasury to consider options on the table to help safeguard family farms, food security and the rural economy.
Receptive talks
Following the visit, NFU Derbyshire and Regional Chair Jane Bassett said: “This was time well spent because we covered issues that really matter to farm businesses on the ground at what is a pivotal time for many of us.
“Alongside the potential impact of inheritance tax, sector demands for dairy and bovine TB we were also able to look at what is needed for farms to be able to invest.
“That included how farmers can invest in new infrastructure to modernise, drive efficiency and even continue to reduce emissions.
“I felt the Minister and John Whitby MP were interested and receptive and I hope these discussions can now continue as we look ahead to the Budget and beyond.”
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L-R John Whitby MP, Barnaby Oulton, Dame Angela Eagle, Michael Oulton, NFU Dairy Board Chair Paul Tompkins, Derbyshire County Chair Jane Bassett, County Adviser for Derbyshire Andrew Critchlow.
NFU Dairy Board Chair Paul Tompkins and Dame Angela Eagle
