Farron signs NFU farming charter

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has become one of the first MP's in the country to sign the National Farming Union's Back British Farming Charter.

The NFU is urging the public to help turn around a decline in self-sufficiency, which has seen the UK now produce just 62 per cent of its own food. If all the food produced in Britain in a year was stored and eaten from January 1, food supplies would run out on August 14.

The Back British Farming campaign is calling for the public, politicians and food industry to sign the charter and show their support. A One Poll survey has revealed that 78 per cent of consumers think supermarkets should stock more British food, whilst 42 per cent said they were more likely to buy more traceable food produced on British farms.

And farmers are ready to rise to the challenge to produce more food sustainably. The Back British Farming campaign demands:

• The strangle hold of Red Tape is removed from on the sector
• Longer-term trading relationships and an agri-food supply chain with shared objectives and responsibilities
• Assurances that agriculture has its fair share of water when supplies are under pressure and the ability to invest in better water management in times of plenty
• There is increased spending for research and development so that valuable science and new technologies are translated from the lab to the field.
• Farmers have access to the best technologies available, including crop protection products
• A fiscal policy is developed that encourages farmers to invest in farming infrastructure and technology
• More measures are in place to encourage new entrants into the agri-sector and give farming a prosperous long-term future
• All farmers are treated fairly across the EU so that no-one is disadvantaged.

"I was delighted to become one of the first MPs to sign the NFU's charter and look forward to working with them on this campaign."