Yorkshire Post Manifesto: Farming

Loopholes in European law mean that food can be labelled as British even if it was just packaged or handled here. This has placed UK agriculture at a disadvantage for several years as inferior foods pour in.

Since the Yorkshire Post launched our Clearly British campaign there have been commitments from retailers and politicians to end this practice while the wheels are in motion within the EU to outlaw it. No matter who wins power, the Yorkshire farming community will want to see leadership on the issue of labelling.

Another crucial area, particular to the region, is the ongoing plight of farmers operating in the hills.

These farmers act as custodians and guardians of some of the region's most spectacular and valuable resources. However they are in many cases expected to get by on as little as 5,000 a year.

Number of dairy farmers quitting the industry per day – two.

Annual income for some hill farmers in the Dales – 5,000.

Cost per claim for Rural Payments Agency – 1,700

Average age of UK farmer – 60

Farmland lost to development in 20 years – nine square miles.

CASE STUDY: lABELLING FIGHT

Richard Longthorp has been fighting the battle to abolish dishonest labelling.

The Howden pig farmer has worked with the National Pig Association and other bodies to lobby hard for an end to the practice.

Mr Longthorp said: "There is a lot of good demand for locally sourced produce. People are attracted to that degree of integrity and honesty."

And while the recent strides in the right direction have been helpful, Mr Longthorp claims the battle has yet to be won.

"It has got to be translated into action," he said. "I believe there is an increasing awareness and demand for locally sourced produce.

"Waitrose offers 100 per cent British pork as does Morrisons and they have both increased their market share quite significantly over the last 12 months. It shows that shoppers want to see this happen."