The NFU's Head of Government and Parliamentary Affairs, Matt Ware, says that the Conservative Party Conference is an vital opportunity for the NFU to inform MPs in rural areas about the needs and demands of the British farming industry.
The tired looks on the faces around Westminster are testimony that Political Party Conference season is in full swing.
The Conservative conference in Birmingham, representing the largest governing party, is therefore the zenith of this year’s conferences and as such the NFU employs additional resources and staff for the higher anticipated attendance to our fringe. Last year more than 200 people came to hear more about the demands of the agricultural industry.
The draw for delegates and NFU members alike is getting to ask questions directly to those in power, namely the Secretary of State Elizabeth Truss and Defra Minister George Eustice along withour own officeholders, NFU President Meurig Raymond and Vice President Guy Smith.
"We hope to build upon the positive response to the NFU Manifesto at the Labour fringe , where an audience of more than 100, including several Labour prospective candidates, heard Shadow Minister Huw Irranca-Davies praise many of our policies," Ware said.
The Labour party agreed with the NFU on reservoir building, a food plan and broadband provision.
NFU Vice President Guy Smith challenged him to commit to these policies publically, to which he received a good politician’s answer. However there were noticeable areas of disagreement on tackling bovine TB and the abolished Agricultural Wages Board.
"Overall the Labour conference was business-like, although noticeably smaller in area and exhibitor numbers. There were lots of references to 'when we are in power', although only time and the electorate will determine when that is. Time will tell on that one.
"After our fringe event in Manchester we got caught up in the stage managing of the line-up of supporters for Ed Milliband as he arrived to give his leader’s speech;if they can arrange the election as well as they did the backdrop the media had, they will be in with a good chance!
"With many Conservative MPs and councillors representing rural areas we are hoping for a positive response to our policy ideas. The Coalition has completed 10 - and partiality finished another 13 - NFU policies from our 2010 manifesto and we hope to build upon this success with our 47 policy suggestions for 2015," said Ware.
"No doubt that Meurig and Guy will push the Conservative ministers to commit to our policies on growth, supporting our industry so we can meet the food security challenge while remaining profitable.
"There is always a buzz in the air at the governing party conference and we look forward to an intense week lobbying and networking whilst hopping between other fringe events such as Federation of Small Businesses, CBI, Friends of the Earth, CPRE, Countryside Alliance, Crop Protection Association, Conservative Rural Affairs Group, RSPCA and receptions running at breakfast, lunch and dinner times and beyond."
