Farming Frontlines: Cheshire Show Voices Call for Clarity and Support Amid Political Uncertainty

UK-wide Bench Initiative: Agricultural sector seeks increased assistance, dispels myths about subsidies

During the most recent segment of Sky’s UK-wide Bench Initiative, agricultural workers expressed their expectations for future government policies.

Residential editor @JasonFarrellSky

Sunday, June 23, 2024, 1:

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The Cheshire Show stands in stark contrast to the bustling political scene of Westminster. Nestled among displays of farming equipment, pony club competitions, and showcases of premier British livestock, we have inconspicuously brought our cumbersome parliamentary seat into a sector that is deeply influenced by the unpredictable forces of weather and politics.

At a remote area of the exhibition, nestled among the sheep enclosures, Ruth Howard, who specializes in the dietary needs of cud-chewing animals, expresses her concern over the escalating costs of livestock feed. "Especially in the past couple of years, the prices have soared," she remarks.

"A couple of years back, the cost of compound feed was around £200 per ton. However, by last winter, prices had soared to £400 per ton."

"Our guiding principle is to nourish the creatures that sustain the country, and we require assistance to continue this mission.

"Available subsidies have mitigated the impact on household budgets, particularly affecting grocery expenses. Without these financial aids and continued backing for the agricultural sector, the crisis in living costs is likely to escalate."

Discussions often revolve around the farming budget. Sheep farmer Richard Gate remarks, "We receive subsidies, but there's a misunderstanding that these are for the farmers themselves; they're not. They are meant to assist farmers in providing more affordable food to the populace."

In light of the recent unveiling of party manifestos, the National Farmers Union (NFU) has raised issues regarding the financial commitments to agriculture. Notably, the Conservative Party has pledged to boost the farming budget by £1 billion during the next legislative session. However, the Labour Party has not yet specified their financial plans for the sector.

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Rachel Hallos, the vice president of the NFU, expressed to Sky News her concerns, stating, "We are worried. It's important for us to understand the amount of funding that will be designated for agriculture."

"It really is straightforward. I believe the complexity lies in the finer points, which appear to be somewhat lacking."

The Labour Party's manifesto declares that "food security is equivalent to national security" and vows to "support UK agriculture." They aim for at least 50% of all food bought by the public sector to come from local sources.

At the Cheshire Show, dairy farmer Ray Brown had the opportunity to engage with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer. He expressed satisfaction with their grasp of the challenges he discussed.

"He emphasized the country's significant dependence on foreign food imports," he noted. "Recent global occurrences have certainly prompted us to reconsider our food security."

He cautions that certain environmental programs tied to government subsidies for farmers are compelling them to cease cultivation on fertile agricultural fields.

Mr. Brown stated, "The primary issue is the government's approach to policy-making, ensuring that everyone has enough food while introducing sensible environmental programs. It's important to utilize non-arable land rather than neglecting fertile agricultural land."

Andrew Dutton of Cheshire Farm Machinery has reported a decrease in sales this year, attributing the downturn to a rainy spring that has negatively impacted crop and produce outputs. He notes that this has led to a reluctance among farmers to make new investments.

"It's crucial that we increase our support for local farmers. It's important to endorse and sustain British agriculture. We should prioritize purchasing locally and from British sources. Our agricultural community requires assurance that they will continue to receive the necessary financial support moving forward."

Located in Tatton, the Cheshire Show takes place in a reliably Conservative district, previously represented by Chancellor George Osborne. Despite the red ribbons adorning the award-winning bulls, it's improbable that candidates from other parties will claim victory here during the elections, though some doubt remains.

Mr. Dutton remarks, "Am I still on the bench, really?"

He pats the green padding on our Parliament seat. "I've always cast my vote for the Tories. Yet currently, there seems to be no party meeting my expectations."

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A woman clad in riding pants mentions, "I'm supporting the Reform party, and many of my friends are too," yet she opts not to sit down to elaborate further.

We were able to interview two horsemen who had just finished jousting and were still in their knight costumes in the main arena. Both hail from countryside areas represented by Conservative MPs in the Midlands. Holding an axe, Sam Conway from Knights of Nottingham mentions that he usually votes for the Conservative Party but is seeking "clarity and honesty."

He continues: "So far, I haven't experienced any of that. It seems like no one has presented any definitive policies. There's been plenty of political maneuvering."

Mark Lacey, another knight alongside Sam, rests on his broadsword and remarks, "The time for change has come, and let's see what unfolds. I'm pleased with this shift."

"I've always resided in a Democratic stronghold, but it's time for something different. Let's explore how others handle things."

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As we travel through various parts of the UK – including Cornwall, Gloucester, Luton, Southall, Kent, Leicester, and now Cheshire – we encounter considerable uncertainty. Many Conservative supporters are notably reticent, and Labour supporters are openly wondering if their votes will effectively lead to the desired transformations.

The agricultural sector is seeking stronger commitments from Starmer and seems open to change, despite traditionally not being a key electoral area for Labour. Securing a constituency such as Tatton would significantly undermine their competitors.

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