Lincolnshire farmers call for robust support in upcoming Labour budget
Farming community seeks security amidst economic challenges
Lincolnshire's farming community is urging the government for robust backing in the upcoming Labour budget to sustain the industry amid growing economic pressures.
Henry Moreton is Lincolnshire's County Chair for the National Farmers Union emphasized the importance of food sustainability and adequate support without reliance on cheap imports. Henry said: “We produce high-quality food in the best possible way, and it is crucial that they actually support food sustainability".
The rapid climate changes unpredictable weather have placed further strain on farmers. Fertiliser prices have surged amidst these challenges, leading Moreton to call for fair pricing and better resources to maintain agricultural standards: “We need to make sure this government do not give our red lines up.”
Despite challenges such as flooding and adverse weather impacting crop yields, Henry explained that farmers want a sizeable budget to put infrastructure in place for flood defence. He said "the climate is changing faster than the government can move and we need to make sure they're aware of our problems".
James Casswell founder of Eco Green Compost, in Fulstow, says he wants the inheritance tax scrapped in the budget. He said: "It's killing farmers and if that doesn't change it's just lowering morale".
He continues to say that Lincolnshire farmers don't feel supported by the government. He said "It feels like they've got a war against the rural community and that everything they do is against us".
This call for support underscores the integral role farming plays in national security, aligning agricultural practices with evolving climate challenges and demanding recognition from policymakers.