We had a strong presence at this year’s Labour party conference in Brighton, with Deputy President Stuart Roberts sitting on two Fringe event panels, President Minette Batters hosting a reception and the NFU having a busy and engaging exhibition stand highlighting how British farmers are leading the way.
Pledges to Back British Farming
In total over 500 delegates visited the stand and pledged to Back British Farming by buying British and eating seasonally. Discussions with conference delegates also focused on trade deals and export opportunities as well as the work of British farmers to protect and maintain our natural environment.
The Exhibition stand has also attracted over 56 visits from a range of parliamentarians, including Leader of the Labour Party Sir Keir Starmer, and Shadow Cabinet members – Luke Pollard, Emily Thornbury, Ed Miliband, Rachel Reeves, Jonathan Ashworth, Peter Kyle, Preet Gill, Rosena Allin- Khan and Nia Griffith, as well as the First Minister of Wales Mark Drakeford and the Leader of Scottish Labour Anas Sarwar.
?? @Keir_Starmer ??
— NFU Political (@NFUPolitical) September 27, 2021
This morning, we were delighted to welcome the Leader of the Labour Party Sir Keir Starmer to our exhibition stand at #Lab21 to discuss the future of British agriculture ???????? #BackBritishFarming pic.twitter.com/QiXpjaN90Q
On Sunday evening, NFU President Minette Batters hosted a reception on our exhibition stand, held in partnership with the British Beer & Pub Association.
The NFU was joined by joined by Shadow Secretary of State for Food and Rural Affairs Luke Pollard MP and CEO of the Beer & Pub Association Emma McClarkin.
On Monday lunchtime, Stuart Roberts joined a panel with by Shadow Secretary of State for Food and Rural Affairs Luke Pollard MP, Maria Eagle MP and Mark Bridgeman from the CLA to look at the findings of Labour’s rural review.
This lunchtime, NFU Deputy President @HertsFarmer is taking place in a @LabourCC Fringe event at #Lab21 looking at early findings from Labour’s Rural Policy Review.
— NFU Political (@NFUPolitical) September 27, 2021
Also on the panel:
? @LukePollard
? @meaglemp
? Mark Bridgeman from @CLAtweets#BackBritishFarming ???????? pic.twitter.com/1BnSqqXE62
In the evening the NFU’s main fringe event took place to debate the question ‘Are we trading away the future of British Agriculture?’
Stuart Roberts was joined by Shadow Secretary of State for International Trade Emily Thornberry MP and the WWF’s Chief Economics and Economic Development Adviser, Angela Francis. This panel discussion was chaired by Politico reporter Emilio Casalicchio.