SOMERSET farmers are being urged to ‘get the message out’ to parliamentary candidates about the opportunities and challenges facing the industry ahead of the general election.

Speaking on the eve of this year’s Bath & West Show, James Miller, the NFU’s Somerset county chairman, said it was ‘a critical time’ for farming, with many sectors under a great deal of pressure.

“Dairying continues to be challenged in just about every way conceivable, in particular by recent reductions in milk prices and hikes in most key costs, like feed and fertiliser.

“As someone who has significant involvement with dairy farmers across the South West, I get to see first-hand the pressure they remain under, working incredible hours and maintaining the highest standards possible, often under huge financial pressure,” said Mr Miller, a former dairy farmer himself.

With an election campaign in progress and Brexit on the horizon there is sure to be discussion at the show about who will form the new Government and what its attitude towards agriculture is likely to be. 

The industry is worth about £200m to the economy of Somerset and employs just over 12,000 people, with the financial benefits rippling out along the supply chain to include food processors and allied trades like vets and feed suppliers.

In its election manifesto, the NFU is calling for the new government to develop an export strategy which would open new markets and give British dairy farmers the chance to sell their produce globally, a move which could substantially lower the trade deficit in dairy products, currently running at about £1bn.

The NFU also wants to see mandatory price reporting in the dairy sector. 
Mr Miller said: “This would provide farmers with reliable and timely market information which is not currently available, allowing them to better manage their businesses.”

“It is vital that trade agreements provide fair access to markets, protect the integrity of British food production and give farmers access to sufficient numbers of seasonal workers from outside the UK.”