John Hayes MP, conservative member for South Holland and the Deepings, described his Lincolnshire constituency as the “food basket of Britain".
“The food industry is of immense economic significance to the UK, and its importance cannot be underestimated,” he said.
But the industry needs to be honest about the critical challenges that it, along with the public policymakers responsible for its smooth running, face.
“There needs to be a balance between convenience, affordability and sustainable farming,” said Hayes. “I believe there are 10 points to address which should dominate in finding this balance.”
Hayes noted that a rebalance of the food chain in favour of primary and secondary producers is fundamental to the future of farming, along with fair food labelling, a reduction of red tape, a re-appraisal of new opportunities for the farm business, including bio-fuels and bio-crops, and the introduction of support measures to enable growers to add value to their fresh produce.
The support of young entrepreneurs in farming, the marketing and recognition of farm assurance schemes, a sustainable settlement on the supply of labour, a public sector procurement policy favouring British produce and a government that understands the countryside and cares about rural UK were Hayes’ other vital factors to ensure the success of UK farming.
“As a public policymaker I want to do my utmost to ensure that British farming operates on a level playing field,” Hayes added. “Life is too short to eat badly, and the worse you eat, the shorter it becomes.”
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