NFU President Calls for Government Focus on Food Security in 2024
Source: The DairyNews
In her New Year message, Minette Batters, president of the National Farmers' Union (NFU), emphasized the need for the government to prioritize food security in 2024.
Batters highlighted the challenges faced by farmers in the past year, including soaring production costs, global turmoil from the Ukraine war, and extreme weather conditions. Delays in future farm payments further risked the resilience of British farmers.
Despite these challenges, Batters acknowledged the incredible successes of the farming industry, with the public's unwavering support. She expressed gratitude for the public's recognition of farmers' vital work in producing climate-friendly food, caring for livestock, and protecting the environment.
While appreciating the government's commitment to food security targets, Batters urged urgent action to embed national food security into the Sustainable Farming Initiative. She expressed concerns about the tapering of Basic Payment Scheme payments and the disparity in payment rates between grassland and arable land.
Batters emphasized that food production and environmental conservation should be treated as interconnected goals. She called on the government to invest in the farming and growing sector, considering it essential for productivity, job creation, and economic and environmental outcomes.
Despite these challenges, Batters acknowledged the incredible successes of the farming industry, with the public's unwavering support. She expressed gratitude for the public's recognition of farmers' vital work in producing climate-friendly food, caring for livestock, and protecting the environment.
While appreciating the government's commitment to food security targets, Batters urged urgent action to embed national food security into the Sustainable Farming Initiative. She expressed concerns about the tapering of Basic Payment Scheme payments and the disparity in payment rates between grassland and arable land.
Batters emphasized that food production and environmental conservation should be treated as interconnected goals. She called on the government to invest in the farming and growing sector, considering it essential for productivity, job creation, and economic and environmental outcomes.
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