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Farming unions agree shared ambition for UK farming
The farming unions from England , Wales , Scotland and Northern Ireland have committed to work together on a new shared ambition for a progressive future for farming in the UK post-Brexit .
R epresenting 76,000 farm businesses across the UK , the presidents and directors from NFU , NFU Cymru , NFUS and UFU met at Agriculture House , Stoneleigh on Monday [ 1 August ]. During the meeting each agreed their organisations must be the focal point for cross-border cooperation in the wake of the UK ’ s decision to leave the European Union . The farming leaders identified the trade and investment climate as a critical focus for the unions to collaborate on , as well as ensuring simple access to labour , domestic farm policies that work for farmers across the UK and , clarity over the UK ’ s exit from the EU .
NFU President Meurig Raymond , on behalf of the Presidents1 , said : “ UK farming is a strong , dynamic sector that already contributes so much to society and the economy . But the industry has huge potential . That is why the coming months and years are vitally important to develop the right policies that enable our great industry to prosper .
“ We have committed to providing a united front for the 76,000 farm businesses we represent and the 460,000 people who work on farms across the UK . We believe this will provide us with the best chances of working with Government departments on the policies that will impact UK agriculture .
“ The working areas we ’ ve just identified are the building blocks to the strong , collective and influential voice that we want to achieve for the industry . In the unchartered waters that our government finds itself , we want to be the consistent , reliable and representative body to look to for expertise in these working areas .
“ Agriculture is the bedrock of the UK ’ s largest manufacturing industry , food and drink , worth £ 108 billion . The Presidents of the farming unions have made it our mission to ensure that this value is matched with an ambition to shape a profitable , productive and progressive future for food production .”
Yorkshire Wagyu awarded two gold stars at food awards
The team at Tibthorpe based Yorkshire Wagyu Company is celebrating after one of its gourmet pies won two stars in the Guild of Fine Food ' s 2016 Great Taste Awards .
T he Yorkshire Wagyu Company ' s Subtly Spiced Mince Wagyu Pie was one of only 828 products out of 10,000 entries to be awarded the coveted two gold stars in the annual food awards that are renowned as the ‘ Oscars of the food world '.
Co-founder of The Yorkshire Wagyu Company , farmer Jonathan Shepherd is delighted to have won two stars at the first attempt for the individual mince pie : " We ' re very proud to have won this prestigious award and can ' t wait to add the coveted two star logo to our products ."
After two years spent establishing one of the biggest herds of full blood and cross bred Wagyu beef in the UK , Wolds farmers Jonathan Shepherd and Jim Bloom launched The Yorkshire Wagyu Company in 2014 to sell their premium beef direct to restaurants and the public .
06 | Farming Monthly | August 2016 www . farmingmonthly . co . uk