Dorset farmers say they’re tired of "poor policy and empty promises"

Dorset’s NFU chair has warned food security and safety are at risk after agriculture was barely mentioned in the Budget.

Tim Gelfs said he emailed Dorset’s rural MPs this morning to ask whether they or their teams would discuss his concerns.

Mr Gelfs said: “We are sleepwalking into a real problem on food security and more importantly food safety.”

He said agriculture and the rural economy received little attention in the Budget speech and opposition response. Mr Gelfs said he was unsure whether to feel happy or concerned.

He said the industry had little political weight and might be ignored until a shock affected food supplies.

Mr Gelfs said: “I know governments like getting the fire engines out to put out the inferno, when a fire extinguisher with good industry led policy would of controlled the initial flames.”

He warned that good work in Dorset, producing food while supporting nature and landscape recovery, could be lost during a crisis.

Mr Gelfs compared this risk with changes after the European Union’s Common Agricultural Policy and the Agriculture Act 1947. He also referred to Covid, when the industry restructured quickly to help maintain supplies.

Mr Gelfs said: “The whole industry is tired of poor policy, no clear leadership and empty promises.”

He called for action to prevent rising food inflation and protect food safety and security.

Mr Gelfs said: “The sands of time are almost through the hour glass, the time to act is now.”