How the NFU works for farmers at political party conferences

• The NFU attended the Conservative party conference in Birmingham which began on 2 October.
• We engaged with more than 60 Conservative politicians on the stand, including the Prime Minister Liz Truss, and Defra Secretary of State, Ranil Jayawardena MP.
• Party conference season kicked off with the Labour party conference on 25 September in Liverpool.
• We welcomed 46 MPs, Peers and Mayors onto the Labour party stand, including Leader of the Opposition Sir Keir Starmer, who showed their support for British food and farming.
• NFU Cymru President Aled Jones has also been at both conferences, promoting the work of Welsh farmers.

Putting the issues direct to MPs

The 6m x 6m stand provides an opportunity for NFU officeholders and our external affairs team to meet with MPs and political delegates to talk through current issues impacting farmers and highlight the NFU’s work promoting British farmers environmental work, our asks to level up the rural economy and the work taking place inspiring the next generation of farmers and children in schools about food and farming.

NFU President Minette Batters said: “As Britain’s farmers continue to face significant challenges, including rising energy and fertiliser costs, as well as recovering from the ongoing drought, there has never been a more vital time to highlight the importance of domestic food security and just how much farming delivers for the nation.

“As well as producing sustainable climate-friendly food and looking after our iconic countryside, the British food and farming sector contributes more than £120 billion to the UK economy and provides jobs for four million people.

“Attending the political party conferences gives the NFU a valuable opportunity to showcase British farming and engage with MPs, Peers, councillors and party members. It’s crucial that politicians from all parties recognise the value of British agriculture and what more we can do with the right policies in place. I hope to see all of them pledge their support for the industry and back British farming.”

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NFU Vice President David Exwood, Prime Minister Liz Truss, and NFU Director of Trade Nick von Westenholz

NFU Vice President David Exwood with Prime Minister Liz Truss

Chief Whip of the House of Commons, Wendy Morton MP

Financial Secretary, Andrew Griffith MP

MP for Surrey Heath, Michael Gove

Chief Whip of the House of Commons, Wendy Morton MP

Minister of State in the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Nus Ghani MP

NFU Deputy President Tom Bradshaw is interviewed by Times Radio

Defra Secretary of State Ranil Jayawardena MP speaks at joint reception with the FDF

Defra Secretary of State Ranil Jayawardena MP speaks at joint reception with the FDF

NFU President Minette Batters speaks to Times Radio

Secretary of State for International Trade Rt Hon Kemi Badenoch MP with NFU vice chair David Exwood, and Director of Trade and Business Strategy Nick von Westenholz

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NFU Vice President David Exwood with Shadow Climate Change Minister Kerry McCarthy

NFU President Minette Batters with Daniel Zeichner MP – Shadow Defra Minister

Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves and NFU external affairs manager Emma Crosby

NFU external affairs manager Scott Pepe, Shadow Secretary of State of Climate Change and Net Zero, Ed Miliband MP, and NFU external affairs manager Emma Crosby

NFU stand at the Labour party conference 2022

NFU stand at the Labour party conference 2022

NFU stand at the Labour party conference 2022

NFU stand at the Labour party conference 2022

NFU stand at the Labour party conference 2022

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A good reception

The stand was also used to host a reception in the evening. The reception for 50 invited guests was hosted by NFU President Minette Batters and FDF Director General Karen Betts with the Shadow Minister for Food, Farming and Fisheries Daniel Zeichner MP.

NFU President Minette Batters with Daniel Zeichner MP – Shadow Defra Minister

Backing Welsh Farming

We were pleased to welcome the Leader of the Welsh Conservative Group, Andrew R.T. Davies MS to talk to NFU Cymru President Aled Jones at the Conservative party conference.

Aled also engaged with the Shadow Minister for Tech, Gambling the Digital Economy Alex Davies-Jones MP and Chris Elmore MP at the Labour party conference in Liverpool.

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Leader of the Welsh Conservative Group, Andrew R.T. Davies MS with NFU Cymru President Aled Jones

Alex Davies Jones MP And Chris Elmore MP with NFU Cymru President Aled Jones

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NFU fringes

Fringe events are an important part of political party conference activity and a chance for members to get involved. We are hosting fringe events at both party conferences, bringing together a range of speakers to discuss the parties' visions for the future of domestic food production and the policies needed to support a thriving agricultural sector.

For rural and urban voters alike, food policy will be crucial at the next election, so we are asking how both parties would ensure British farmers can continue to deliver high-quality, affordable, and climate-friendly food for the nation whilst also protecting and caring for our environment.