Keep the Red Tractor for traceability and provenance, was the clear message by NFU Deputy President, Minette Batters, at the recent Anglesey NFU Cymru County Conference.
In her address, Minette Batters explained that getting government and politicians to start talking more about food and moving it further up their agendas is a key challenge for the NFU and farming community.
Minette Batters said, “With a general election looming, the next few months will provide an opportunity to reinforce the message, of what is more important than food?”
“The reality is that we face challenging times, with a lot less money around and a reduction in CAP payments, therefore developing new markets, adding value and ensuring fairness for primary producers are more essential than ever going forward. Markets are opening up in the USA and China in particular, and it is absolutely vital that we use PGI status and the assurance that Red Tractor brings with it to tap into these potentially lucrative markets.
“We have got to keep the avenues for trade open and maintain the high health status of UK livestock and highlight our high welfare standards, a fact which was also recently confirmed in a European report. Government has an important role to play here in arranging and progressing meaningful trade discussions.”
Mrs Christine Jones, Anglesey NFU Cymru County Chairman closed the evening with a vote of thanks to Minette Batters for her address and to HSBC bank for its generous sponsorship of the conference. She also paid particular attention to the role of women in farming. She said, “There is strength in union across all sectors of industry, and as farmer numbers continue to dwindle the role of women in the success of many farm businesses must not be underestimated. We are farmers, we are farmer’s wives and we need to stick together as we face the future – NFU United.”
