Speaking after attending the ‘Farm to Fork’ summit, hosted by
Prime Minister at Downing Street today (16
May), NFU Scotland President Martin Kennedy said: “This summit
must be viewed by the UK Government as the start of an annual
process that recognises the importance of domestic food
production and puts robust measures in place to ensure the whole
food supply chain, from farm to fork, takes positive steps to
address the significant shortfalls that we currently see around
the nation’s food security.
“I commend the Prime Minister for ensuring that all those with a
stake in delivering sustainable and transparent food supply
chains were present – farmers, processors, major retailers,
Cabinet Ministers and Secretaries of State - giving this the
potential to be a major stepping stone. That momentum must
not be lost, and progress must be regularly reviewed.
“The event brought a sharp focus on the importance of domestic
production and the need for change. All in the room needed
to appreciate that recent events, including empty supermarket
shelves, means that food can no longer be produced for prices
that are below the cost of production.
“The solution is clear. If you're looking to secure
domestic food production, it starts by supporting the primary
producer in the face of rising input costs and volatile output
prices, poorly negotiated trade agreements and supply chain
inequities.
“The commitment to a wider, accelerated use of the UK Agriculture
Act to deliver fairness and equity in horticultural and egg
supply chains, building on the work started on pigs and dairy, is
something for us to welcome and pursue.
“The summit also presented an opportunity to raise the huge
challenges we continue to face. A commitment that the
45,000 seasonal worker visas available this season could be
extended is welcome, but our growers need long term commitment
from the UK Government to this scheme to allow them to plan
ahead. It also remains hugely disappointing that our
farmers and growers will not benefit from the highest levels of
relief on energy despite the huge costs now associated with
rearing, growing and storing produce. That decision needs
to be reversed or farmers and growers will simply cut production
to limit losses and our food security will deteriorate,
undermining the amount of good work today’s summit
achieved.”
