Four MPs visited a Suffolk family farm to gain a better understanding of how food is produced and to hear first-hand about the economic pressures facing British arable businesses.
The visit to E J Barker & Sons at Westhorpe, near Stowmarket, formed part of the NFU’s Food and Farming Fellowship Scheme. Discussions focused on food production, rising input costs and trade arrangements as farmers prepare for harvest.
Hosted by the Barker family, whose farming business dates back to the 1950s, the visit brought together South Norfolk MP Ben Goldsborough, Reigate MP Rebecca Paul, Newcastle-under-Lyme MP Adam Jogee and Melksham and Devizes MP Brian Mathews.
Joining them were Norfolk farmer and NFU National Combinable Crops Board chair Jamie Burrows and Ed Barker, head of policy and external affairs at the Agricultural Industries Confederation.
Harvest Pressure
A key theme was the impact of geopolitical instability on farm businesses. Farmers highlighted how conflict in the Middle East has driven up energy, fuel and fertiliser prices while margins remain under pressure.
Mr Burrows said: “It is always great to get MPs out on farm, so they learn more about the industry and the role it plays in feeding the nation, as well as supporting rural communities and the wider economy.
“It is really difficult for the arable sector at the moment. The war in the Middle East has driven up input costs, adding to an already extremely pressured time for farmers who will soon be going into harvest.”
The MPs were also shown how crops are established, managed and protected before harvest, providing an overview of the journey from field to fork.
Policy Debate
Talks also covered the proposed UK-EU sanitary and phytosanitary agreement and its potential impact on arable businesses.
The NFU has argued that sufficient transition arrangements will be needed, particularly regarding plant protection products, to allow businesses time to adapt and ensure crops grown under existing approvals remain marketable.
Mr Burrows said the union would continue engaging with policymakers to improve understanding of the sector.
Supply Chain
Ed Barker said the fellowship scheme provided an opportunity to explain the complexity of modern arable farming and the industries it supports.
“The NFU on the Food and Farming Fellowship Scheme allows the arable supply chain to demonstrate to MPs the dynamics and challenges in farm inputs, and its variety of customers in food manufacturing, malting, milling, animal feed and energy sectors.
“Explaining these through the perspective of an arable family farm builds knowledge and provides a platform for further engagement with parliamentarians.”
The fellowship programme was launched in 2024 and is supported by organisations across the food and farming supply chain. Its aim is to improve MPs’ understanding of agriculture and food production at a time of significant change for the industry.