Shropshire farmers' manifesto for the general election

With such a short time for candidates to campaign, we sprang from the starting blocks with a comprehensive set of election manifesto requests for the next Government.

This manifesto, ‘It’s time to Back British Farming: Brexit and beyond’, covers a range of topics that are essential for Shropshire farmers and growers.

These include making Brexit a success - the focus being on trade agreements that work for British farming, alongside ensuring access to a competent, reliable workforce and creating a domestic agricultural policy which promotes productivity; investing in growth; seeking the next Government’s commitment to a long term vision for British farming’s future.

We’re also calling for improved promotion of British food at home and abroad and safeguarding fair, safe and secure food chains for shoppers.

We want to see a clear, honest country-of-origin labelling system, a fair supply chain that promotes trust and shared values, and an education system which supports the industry.

Science also needs to be at the heart of policymaking, including a commitment to continue with the 25-year TB eradication strategy, increased investment and use of agri-science and technology and the retention of plant protection products. Caring for our countryside and rural communities is also vital and this can be done by helping farmers grow their businesses in balance with the farmed environment.

Safeguarding access to the water that Shropshire farmers need to grow the nation’s food is key and we also need to see clear commitments on faster, better broadband and mobile connection and a Government promise to combat increasing level of rural crime. I think it would be all too easy for the needs of farming and growing to be put on the back burner by prospective candidates and their parties, so we need to be proactive in making the case.

There will be a number of farmer hustings events and as ever we will hold successful candidates to account on their pre-election promises after June 8.

As the election looms and Brexit rolls forward, we need to be clear and articulate in our pitch for farming’s strategic importance in the economy.

The fact is food is big business and the nature and value of that is very much dependent on consistent supplies of ingredients produced on our farms.

Rob Newbery is NFU West Midlands regional director