Barney Kay: Farmers need the public to support quality local food

There is no doubt that it has been an incredibly difficult and challenging 12 months for businesses across the country, and farming is no different.

Recently Prime Minister David Cameron described farmers as the “backbone of Britain” and despite many challenges this incredible industry continues to deliver. It provides the raw ingredients for the food and drink sector, worth around £85bn, it provides jobs for some 3.5 million people and farming has created the very landscape that surrounds our towns and cities.

And we have all learned lessons this year. The horsemeat scandal has shown that we must not chase around the globe for the cheapest deal. More recently, Tesco’s chief executive Phil Clarke has reminded us all that the era of cheap food is over. So where does our call for the public to Back British Farming fit in? Why should you sign our pledge to buy British food?

Let’s start with the increasing goodwill from everyone. A recent One Poll survey has revealed that 78 per cent of consumers thought supermarkets should stock more British food and 42 per cent said they were more likely to buy more traceable food produced on British farms.

But it’s not just about buying British. It’s also about supporting the industry around you. The North East produces world-famous York hams, Northumbrian Hill lamb, not to mention Yorkshire puddings, and there’s the Yorkshire rhubarb triangle.

The region’s lush grass provides grazing for dairy cows, and the region also offers everything from asparagus, peas, tomatoes, apples, pears and strawberries to cereals, chicken and eggs. 
This in turns supports around 50,000 people working in the industry.

This needs to continue and grow. And this is why. I keep talking about challenges, and here’s one more – perhaps the most important of all – to produce more food, sustainably, for a growing population.

Currently we produce 62 per cent of all food consumed in this country. It makes us as a country more reliant on imported food at a time when the pressure from rising global population has never been more acute.

Farmers are working harder and smarter than ever to ensure this current decreasing self-sufficiency trend is reversed. So, we need politicians, supermarkets, retailers, food processors, restaurants and cafés to play their part to see farmers and growers do their job – and do it well.

I mentioned working smarter. From precision farming that can target fertilisers and crop protection products to within centimetres to crops grown under cover to lengthen the British growing season – these are just two examples of technological advances that enable us to produce more. But again, this growth must be supported by an over-arching government food vision so farmers have the confidence to invest and grow their business.

We need to see the stranglehold of red tape removed and all farmers across the EU being treated fairly so that no one is disadvantaged. Retailers must continue to develop shorter, fairer and supportive supply chains, with shared objectives and responsibilities.

We need increased spending for research and development so that valuable science and new technologies are translated from the lab to the field. Farmers need to have access to these technologies, such as crop protection products. Bright young farmers need to see a thriving agri-food sector with a prosperous, long-term future.

The British public increasingly show their support for British farming and you are our best ally. I would ask you to continue showing your support by asking your local supermarket, restaurant, or MP what they are doing to Back British Farming.

The NFU has created a charter calling for a commitment to put British farming at the heart of the challenge of feeding us all in the future – and we need your support. Sign it at www.farmingdelivers.co.uk and help our industry to feed our nation for generations to come.

• Barney Kay is the North East regional director of the National Farmers’ Union.