It's time for everyone to back British farming
Farming and food remains at Shropshire’s heart – through the produce grown and reared on our land to industry support for our economy and communities.
When you factor in all rural businesses and our larger urban firms, then we’re a lot stronger than perhaps we realise.
While it is not all about agriculture, it is the bedrock of the UK’s largest manufacturing sector – food and drink.
Much has been said about our diets in past weeks. But the fact is there are no bad foods, just bad diets.
Choice remains fundamental of course, but it is important to have accurate facts and information to help people get there; www.countrysideonline.co.uk is a good starting place.
What aggrieves many farmers is how our industry is portrayed, usually by a small, vocal minority, in a way that does not reflect the reality of UK food production.
We stand by our high production, welfare and environmental standards.
People can have an opinion on what we should and should not be producing, but the fact is the county can and will continue to grow it all – poultry, beef, dairy, cereals, vegetables, fruit.
Some areas are only suitable for grass production, supporting the livestock that graze it, and we’re making best use of that space to produce a great product. Farming in this way, over generations, has shaped the landscape of which we are so fond.
We’re in a fortunate position that our countryside allows us to have very mixed production and we have skilled farmers who have innovative, science-led businesses.
As a country we’re a long way away from being self-sufficient in food but with Brexit looming we simply can’t open our doors to the rest of the world without check or challenge.
I was pleased, as NFU regional livestock chairman, to welcome Remi Fourrier, AHDB export manager for France, to Telford this week.
France represents the single most important export market for UK lamb, taking over 50 per cent, so holding talks with people like Remi is vital, as we move forward.
While we need to secure access to new markets for our high quality beef and lamb, we also need to defend well-established markets where there is demand for our food.
The future is not written. Shropshire farmers are ready and able to tackle the challenges ahead, as well as making the most of new opportunities.
I would urge everyone – producers, processors, politicians, retailers and shoppers – to back British farming like never before as Brexit unfolds.
Richard Yates is a Middleton Scriven farmer
