NFU’s Tom Bradshaw Voices a Farmer’s Urgent Call
Tom Bradshaw, the president of the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) and a former farmer himself, has fired up the political arena. He’s urging every party that will be in Downing Street next to put the UK’s food production back on track — and he’s keeping a sharp edge about it.
Why the Sector’s on a Knife Edge
- Inflation has hit the cost of everything from feed to energy.
- Weather’s been a real wildcard: nine wet months that stretched the last harvest season.
- The Ukraine war has dented confidence in the market and supply chains.
- Climate change keeps adding pressure, making the planet’s handling of crops more unpredictable.
Bradshaw’s Budget Blueprint
- He’s rounding up a £5.5 billion a year. That’s the “right level” to hit the sustainability targets for UK food production.
- He also wants lawmakers to stop importing food that doesn’t meet UK legal standards.
- Turkey? No, they mean putting a curb on imports that fall short of UK regulations.
Rural Vote: Up for Grabs
Polling shows Labour ahead of the Tories in some rural constituencies. Bradshaw says the “rural vote is up for grabs.” That means if parties can show they’ll back farmers, they might snatch those seats.
What Adam Says
Bradshaw paints a picture of an almost “pivotal” moment for the sector. He says:
“It’s an exciting time. If one party demonstrates a genuine willingness to invest in agriculture and the food supply chain, we can help deliver economic growth in rural communities and tackle climate change. We’re on a knife‑edge, but with the right support, we can win for everyone.”
More Than Just Money: The Environmental Angle
The NFU is lobbying for a “more of an environmental budget.” Current subsidies have moved to the Environmental Land Management (ELM) system, which funds public services like clean water, habitats and soil health. Bradshaw argues:
- “The right level of investment will hit legislated environmental targets while also sustaining food production.”
- “If we focus only on environmental targets, we’ll leave our food supply chains vulnerable.”
The Bottom Line
With War, Weathers, Inflation, and Climate—farmers are strapped for wallets but hold the key to a safe, thriving Britain. Tom Bradshaw is stepping up, pleading for political will and substantial funding. The call is loud: “Back farmers. Invest. Support the future of food.”
