Image caption, Farmers say they want food security higher on the parliamentary agenda Article information Author, Lucinda Adam Post, BBC Sussex, Political reporter
22 minutes ago
Farmers in Sussex say food production is not being prioritised as politicians fight to secure votes in local seats.
Food production provides 45,500 jobs and £813 million to the South East and London economies, according to the latest figures from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
But the National Farmers Union (NFU) said candidates campaigning ahead of the July 4 general election were not mentioning food and farming.
Rural constituencies will be key battlegrounds in the election as the Conservatives try to defend “blue wall” seats targeted by Labour and the Liberal Democrats.
“They need to put food, food production and the rural economy at the heart of their debate,” said Caroline Harriott, who farms dairy, beef and sheep at Broomhurst Farm, Lyminster, near Arundel, and is NFU representative for West Sussex.
“You don't hear it in the debates, you don't hear it when you're talking to congressional candidates.
“We eat three meals a day. As farmers, we want to produce food for three meals a day. We don't want to import food,” she said.
“We want to be environmentally friendly, but food production is at the heart of what we do.”
Image caption, Tom Gribble is a dairy, beef, sheep and arable farmer
Local voters will have more power than ever before in shaping the next government.
Farmers say they want food security to be placed higher on the parliamentary agenda.
Tom Gribble, who farms dairy, beef, sheep and arable in Fawl, near Lewes, East Sussex, says uncertainty in the industry is creating challenges.
“We are facing a very volatile situation, with milk prices dropping from 55p a litre to 35p to 42p and fertiliser prices fluctuating all over the place,” he said.
“Wheat prices are fluctuating from a high of £280 to a low of £180 and we're planting wheat but not knowing how much we'll be paid in 12 months' time.”
Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook. Xand on Instagram Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.
More in this story
Source link
