NFU president Peter Kendall was invited to No 10 last week, to discuss current farming and growing issues with Prime Minister Tony Blair.
Topping the agenda was the issue of Single Farm Payments, as well as CAP funding, the imbalance in the food chain, and the role of farmers in combating climate change.
Kendall said he welcomed the opportunity to address the prime minister on critical issues for the farming industries, both long and short-term.
“While making sure farmers receive their Single Farm Payments is at the top of the immediate list, the really critical issue is that farming is able to prosper and be competitive in a functional food chain,” he said.
“I therefore talked to the Prime Minister about the growth of the supermarkets and the competition between them which is now threatening the food supply chain.”
Kendall said the code of conduct recommended by the Competition Commission in 2000 had failed to have any impact on the way they treat their suppliers.
“The downward pressure on prices may favour the consumer in the short-term but in the long term it will drive producers out of business and ultimately affect product choice and availability,” he claimed.
On the topic of energy efficiency, Kendall emphasised the important role biomass, biogas and biofuel could play in providing the country’s electrical power, with proven carbon savings.
“I was anxious for Mr Blair to understand how much farmers can do to provide fuels that will help to combat climate change and for the need for more joined-up solutions which must include Government measures,” he added.
Although it has witnessed radical reforms for CAP funding, the NFU has voiced its concerns about the handling of the EU budget going forward.
“According to the recent budget deal, individual countries may opt out of funding rural development,” Kendall said.
“We fear that while other EU Governments continue to support their rural communities our Government may not. If that happens, it will seriously disadvantage British farming.
Despite the grandeur of such issues, Kendall ended his briefing on an upbeat turn.
“Overall I told the Prime Minister that I was hugely positive about farming and what it could do for the country and for climate change,” he said.
“I told him I want to work in partnership with him to ensure a profitable, competitive industry that provides solutions for consumers and for Britain as a whole.”
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