Farm leaders and Defra ministers have held their first partnership meeting as they strive to secure a profitable future for the industry.
The Farming and Food Partnership Board was established on the recommendation of Baroness Minette Batters, whose independent Farming Profitability Review was published late last year following a six-month study.
Uncertain outlook
NFU President Tom Bradshaw said the meeting “could not come at a more opportune time” as ministers and industry leaders gathered to shape how the board will help drive farm productivity and profitability.
“As the geopolitical outlook becomes more uncertain with the conflict in the Middle East and ongoing war in Ukraine, it is essential we build a resilient domestic food and farming industry. We look forward to working with the board to ensure profitability and productivity are at the heart of farming and growing businesses, as this is key to building a stable, homegrown agriculture sector that is resilient for the long term.”
Chaired by Defra secretary Emma Reynolds, the board’s initial work will focus on the creation of sector growth plans, starting with the horticulture sector – followed by a growth plan for the poultry this summer.
Growth potential
Defra sees itself as a facilitator – explainingthat these plans will be led by industry and co-designed with government. It says the focus on horticulture and poultry reflects their potential to drive economic growth and increase domestic food production.
Ms Reynolds said: “The first Farming and Food Partnership Board meeting marks a major moment for British farming, bringing the whole food chain together to deliver real change for farm and food businesses.”
She added: “We are working with industry to boost productivity and profitability, support innovation, drive growth and make it easier for the whole supply chain – from farm to fork – to succeed.”
Defra also reiterated that it is working closely with the industry to support farmers facing rising diesel and fertiliser costs linked to the Iran war. Red diesel prices have almost doubled – with warnings they could rise higher still.