From the editor: Ministers need to focus if farming is to hit top gear

Getting Jeremy Clarkson on board to drive home the ’back British farming’ message was a PR-savvy move by the NFU, securing, as it did, coverage in the national press and causing a buzz on social media.

Ben Briggs
Ben Briggs is the group publisher and editor in chief of Agriconnect, overseeing the media business and titles such as Farmers Guardian, Dairy Farmer and Arable Farming.
clock • 2 min read
From the editor: Ministers need to focus if farming is to hit top gear

Getting Jeremy Clarkson on board to drive home the 'back British farming' message was a PR-savvy move by the NFU, securing, as it did, coverage in the national press and causing a buzz on social media.

Reiterating many of the messages the union, other representative groups and, dare I say, even Farmers Guardian has voiced in recent years about the future of the industry, Mr Clarkson certainly has the ear of a certain section of the public.

Whether he was reinforcing the need to buy British, or the challenges faced by young farmers trying to get a foot on the ladder due to lack of available land, he adopted a thankfully common sense and pragmatic approach.

But whether he helps the industry's cause once the media buzz dies away will be another thing, especially with a Westminster Government which seems to flip flop when it comes to policy and the practical realities within different industry sectors.

The NFU is right to reinforce the need for greater resilience in terms of food production, especially with self sufficiency dropping to around 60 per cent. But given the current challenges the industry faces around workforce and wider supply chain resilience, for example the impact haulage problems are having, there are wider structural problems at play which are not being properly addressed by Ministers.

This is causing increasing concern because, while the NFU should be ambitious in its view for British agriculture and call for people to back the farming sector, it seems the growing economic pressures brought about by Brexit are presenting serious hurdles which need to be overcome in the first instance.

Maybe the images of empty retail shelves, alongside food price inflation, will focus minds in Government, but the current supply chain challenges and lack of available labour need quickly addressing, otherwise the wider aspirations for agriculture will never get the attention they deserve.

More on Farm Life

Herefordshire farm finds its spirit in producing gin

Herefordshire farm finds its spirit in producing gin

Seven years ago, a mixed Herefordshire farm diversified to save waste fruit and following a move to fully recyclable packing their success has reached new heights.

clock 01 May 2025 • 7 min read
Farmer rally urges Gov to back British farmers the way it has backed British steel

Farmer rally urges Gov to back British farmers the way it has backed British steel

Farmers vow to 'fight on' and stand together in face of Inheritance Tax and failing food policy

clock 30 April 2025 • 2 min read
Vets call for ban on farrowing crates

Vets call for ban on farrowing crates

BVA report says almost 75% of vets raised concerns about sow safety in latest study

clock 30 April 2025 • 2 min read