A resolution that would have seen the WI campaign against large-scale farming over the coming years was not voted on today.
In an unprecedented series of events at the WI’s AGM, a decision was made not to continue with a vote on an issue which is surrounded by myths and misconceptions.
It follows months of work by the NFU, which saw farmers and staff travelling the country to speak to nearly 110 WI group meetings about ’factory farming’ and the resolution which urged Government to ensure that planning permission for ’such projects’ was not granted.
NFU President Peter Kendall said: ’The WI is an organisation that passionately supports British agriculture. Like the NFU, the WI wants to have a debate about the future of farming that’s based on the facts rather than myths and misconceptions. For our part, we very much look forward to being part of that debate.
’If British producers are going to rise to the challenge of feeding a growing population in this country ’ an estimated 70 million by 2030 ’ it is vital that the industry can join forces, to grow and to invest in the very latest equipment, housing and technology.
’If we don’t do that, we will find it difficult to compete against cheap, lower animal-welfare meat from the rest of the world. Right now, we are less than 60 per cent self-sufficient and the risk is that this will drop to 50 per cent if we cannot find new ways of producing more here.
’The NFU will carry on tackling myths about livestock farming, and engaging in the debate about how British farmers can meet the food production challenge. Our farmers will continue, regardless of scale, to work to world-class welfare and environmental standards and to deliver a whole range of high-quality, affordable food to the British consumer.’
