Key farming issues put under the spotlight during Hertfordshire meeting with NFU President

Hertfordshire farmers and growers discussed some of the key issues facing the industry with NFU President Tom Bradshaw.

Mr Bradshaw was the guest speaker at the NFU Hertfordshire AGM, held at Verulam Golf Club in St Albans.

He spoke about how the NFU has been working for Hertfordshire farmers and growers at county, regional and national level during a year dominated by extreme weather, soaring input costs and government inaction.

Mr Bradshaw said October’s Budget had been a missed opportunity to ‘press the reset button’ and send a signal that the government was on the side of business.

Instead, it was moving forward with plans including a carbon emissions tax that would increase the cost of fertiliser.

Mr Bradshaw said: “Our problem is not the tax on fertiliser. Our problem is that imported food isn’t subjected to the same tax. If we’re going to be importing food grown with fertiliser that isn’t taxed, then we are at a competitive disadvantage once again.

“That’s where it’s completely wrong. There needs to be a level playing field, but that field is getting further away and more vertical rather than level.

“That’s the real challenge we have in continuing to produce food, because it has been an incredibly challenging year.”

Mr Bradshaw said the past three years had been a disaster for anyone trying to make money out of arable farming.

Many farms had diversifications, but he queried why farmers continued to ‘prop up food production’ with diversified income.

He highlighted the fragility of the food chains and said investing in domestic food production should be a government priority.

“How can they talk about increasing defence spending without recognising that food security is the other side of that coin?” he said.

Mr Bradshaw said that despite the current difficulties, it was crucial to continue fighting for the future of the industry.

“It is challenging now, but we’ve got to make sure we are here for the next generation. That must keep motivating us to get through these difficult times,” he said.

At the meeting, which was held on Tuesday, November 10, it was confirmed that Royston mixed farmer Robert Law has been elected as NFU Hertfordshire Chair for another two years.   

In his report, he highlighted the issues around rural crime, including large-scale fly-tipping, hare coursing and farm thefts.

Two on-farm rural crime meetings are being planned for the spring, and the setting up of a WhatsApp group has improved communications between the police and farmers

Mr Law said: “It is vital that members continue to report these crimes so the police hierarchy continues to know there is a problem and ensure that sufficient resources are available.”

Hannah Buisman, who farms near Welwyn Garden City, was chosen as the county vice-chair.