West Sussex farmers call for homegrown food targets on Back British Farming Day

West Sussex farmers called for ambitious homegrown food targets on Back British Farming Day as new NFU research reveals Britain is producing less food than it did 30 years ago.

The UK’s self-sufficiency in 10 out of 11 everyday foods, such as wheat, vegetables, beef, poultry meat and eggs have fallen in the last 30 years, the Ready to Grow report reveals. 

At the same time, food import volumes are up 70% over the period while export volumes have stalled.

To turn the tide and secure a future for British food production, the NFU is calling on government to set ambitious targets for homegrown food.

West Sussex Farmers backed these calls on Back British Farming Day on Wednesday (September 9).

NFU Regional Board Chair for the East of England Caroline Harriott, who farms near Worthing, said: “British farmers are delivering for the environment and for the public.

“But this new report demonstrates the extent of the challenges we are facing.

“The impact of climate change and global insecurity are demonstrating the dangers of being overly reliant on imports.

“Ambitious homegrown food targets would be an important step forward in enabling farmers here in West Sussex and across the country to keep delivering for the country and striving towards delivering national food security, which is essential for our national security.”

The NFU’s calls are backed by the public, with new survey results carried out by OnePoll revealing that 93% of British households agree that it’s important to maintain or increase UK food self-sufficiency.

The Ready to Grow report underlines the need for action to ensure farmers can meet the public’s demand, as it shows that much of Britain’s food is being produced at a loss:

·  65% of wheat and barley grown on cereal farms came from farm businesses operating at loss.

·   On lowland livestock farms, only 26% of some sheep products came from profitable farm groups.

This comes at a time when the worst drought in 50 years is set to cost wheat growers £370 million, while the UK's largest-ever bluetongue outbreak and soaring fuel, fertiliser and energy costs linked to the conflict in Iran are pushing farm finances to breaking point.

Despite this, agriculture continues to deliver for the economy. Gross value added (GVA) has risen by 57% in England and 55% in Wales, helping power the UK's largest manufacturing sector, food and drink, worth £162.3 billion and supporting 4.1 million jobs.

Ahead of Back British Faming Day, West Sussex farmers held meetings on farms with MP for East Worthing and Shoreham Tom Rutland, MP for Worthing West Beccy Cooper, Worthing Borough Council Leader Caroline Baxter and Deputy Leader John Turley on Friday, September 4.

Issues discussed included rural crime, inheritance tax, fertiliser tax, farmers’ work to support the environment and the wider pressures facing farm businesses.

NFU West Sussex Chair Frans de Boer said: “Farming is really important in Sussex.

“We have a lot of farmers and growers, growing a lot of food for our nation, while supporting the environment.

“Farmers are so grateful for the support we get from the public and that is clear to see on Back British Farming Day.

“People can keep supporting British farmers by checking food labels, looking for the Union Jack logo and buying British where they can, using local businesses, encouraging their friends and family members to buy British food, writing to their MPs and local councillors to express how important farmers are to their local communities and helping us to spread positive messages about British food and farming all year round.”