Conservative Agriculture Spokesman in Europe, Anthea McIntyre MEP, warmly welcomed Meurig Raymond MBE to Harewood End to speak to the Herefordshire Conservative Business Forum.

Mr Raymond has just completed his term as President of the National Farmers Union and Miss McIntyre, Chairman of the business forum,  said: “It is a great honour to have Meurig Raymond with us. As President of the NFU, he has been a fantastic ambassador for British Agriculture and has worked tirelessly in Brussels and Westminster on behalf of our farmers and growers.” 

After travelling from his home in Pembrokeshire, Mr Raymond praised the ‘superb looking county’ of Herefordshire.

He noted that the UK population was predicted to increase by 10 per cent over the next 10 years, but self-sufficiency could fall from 72 per cent to as little as 50 per cent over the same period.

He said the importance of supply-chain security could not be over-emphasised.  One or two bad-weather harvests could result in a calamity in the supply chain that would push up food prices. So supporting British farmers who ensured a certified-quality product was also supporting the public at large.

He emphasised three areas of concern: free trade post-Brexit, the movement of people for the UK Labour market - especially for agriculture and horticulture - and the future of farming policy. 

Brexit could result in export tariffs being applied.  This would have a significant impact on the export of sheep and grain.  Due to existing agreements this was an area of difficulty with no obvious solution. 

With full employment in the UK, agriculture and associated businesses were dependent upon EU labour. The importance of EU labour needed to be higher on the agenda of Government Ministers. 

On future policy, Mr Raymond said he had held several discussions with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, Michael Gove MP. Food deflation had continued over the last seven years, but Mr Gove wished to emphasise environmental benefits and high quality food for the public good.

While UK food standards were a benchmark, Mr Raymond said concern was over the standards for cheaper food imports.  Correct labelling was also an issue with imports.

Farm support was essential to ensure continued production, but tax allowances were required to enable capital investments and development.

Julian Partridge, from Upper Pengethley Farm, thanked Mr Raymond for all his work with the NFU and drew attention to his tremendous breath of knowledge.

In closing, Miss McIntyre thanked Mr Raymond and said that although he has now retired as NFU President, she hoped he would stay involved with agricultural policy making. “His experience and his expertise are invaluable”, she said.