National Sheep Association calls for continuity in Labour's Defra Secretary

NSA president Phil Stocker said: "We want to start that stability with continuity with the shadow team that has engaged so far with industry. A change of personnel into these roles will not be welcomed"

05 July 2024 鈥� 3 min read

The National Sheep Association has called for 'continuity and stability' in Sir Keir Starmer's new Government, adding a change in personnel in the Defra Secretary role would not be welcomed.

NSA chief executive Phil Stocker said now was the time for the new Government to 'engage, listen and develop a food, rural, agriculture and land use policy that supports rural communities and food security in the UK.'

Labour Government

"We want to start that stability with continuity with the shadow team that has engaged so far with industry. A change of personnel into these roles will not be welcomed," he added.

Mr Stocker said he was concerned by the little reference to the farming industry made by Labour throughout their election campaign.

He said: "The Labour manifesto was short on detail and depth and when the party has been questioned on future agriculture budgets has responded that we need more understanding of the value and benefits of investments to date.

Party manifesto

"NSA agrees with this but we are also strongly of the opinion that current budgets are inadequate given the urgency of many challenges ahead. We urgently need wider and deeper impact assessments of the new farming and environmental schemes as well as more complete recognition of public goods delivery – including food production as a public good."

Mr Stocker said it was 'imperative that there was not another U-turn in policy for the industry', adding existing policy needs to be built upon and fundamental issues must be addressed.

Priorities for the sheep industry

NSA has highlighted eight priorities that the sheep industry are seeking to build a positive sector for the future, these include a commitment to increasing the agricultural budget across the nation to ensure delivery of the outcomes we want; recognition of food production as a public good; appreciation of the value of grazed livestock as a multi-functional farming and land management activity; a clear strategic policy to ensure agriculture offers viability and stability whilst giving new entrants clear support, and a commitment to reviewing carbon offsetting, biodiversity net gain, and nutrient neutrality policies.

Food production

NSA chair and Devon sheep farmer Peter Delbridge said: "The food industry is the largest manufacturing sector in UK, and as farmers we are providing the raw materials for it.

"This demonstrates the importance of support for agriculture from our new government not only to promote a sustainable UK farming industry and support rural communities but also to help sustain the many jobs that are also dependant on our sector."

NSA policy manager Emma Bradbury said the country's food insecurity cannot be ignored and that the production capabilities of domestic farming systems must be valued.

Ms Bradbury said: "It is imperative that both politicians and the public are aware of the significant impact agriculture has on the environment, biodiversity and the economy, and British farmers must be supported and enhanced through any future policy."