A number of newly-elected MPs have enrolled on the National Farmers’ Union’s (NFU’s) new Food and Farming Fewllowship scheme.
The scheme, which is being sponsored by ABP UK, Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC), Arla Foods, Barfoots, British Egg Industry Council (BEIC) and Fareshare, seeks to champion British food and farming.
NFU said the scheme will showcase the industry and enable participating MPs to see firsthand how sustainable and affordable food gets from field to fork.
The year-long itinerary will cover different farming sectors and concludes with a graduation dinner in Westminster where each MP will be recognised for their work in building up an understanding and knowledge of the UK food and farming industry.
NFU president Tom Bradshaw said: “The NFU engages with all political parties to ensure they understand the importance of boosting home-grown food production as well as the work farmers and growers carry out caring for the environment, providing a home for nature and finding solutions to the challenges of climate change.
“Our Food and Farming Fellowship Scheme is an extension of that campaigning work and has been designed to create a new group of champion MPs who will speak up in their constituencies but also in Westminster on some of the big issues impacting an industry which forms the backbone of the UK’s largest manufacturing sector – food and drink – contributing more than £146 billion to the economy.
“Along with all our sponsor partners, we will provide those MPs with the tools, knowledge and understanding they need to be able to highlight the critical role of food security in delivering national security and the growth and investment required for the future of British farming, so our farmers and growers can continue producing safe, sustainable and affordable homegrown food alongside caring for the environment.”
MPs who have signed up to the NFU Food and Farming Fellowship scheme are:
Name Constituency Party Rebecca Smith South West Devon Conservatives Sarah Russell Congleton Labour Bradley Thomas Bromsgrove Conservatives Rachel Taylor North Warwickshire & Bedworth Labour Catherine Fookes Monmouthshire Labour Michelle Welsh Sherwood Forest Labour James Naish Rushcliffe Labour Sam Carling North West Cambridgeshire Labour Mike Reader Northampton South Labour Olivia Bailey Reading West & Mid Berkshire Labour Andrew Pakes Peterborough Labour Jo White Bassetlaw Labour Josh Newbery Cannock Chase Labour Julie Minns Carlisle & North Cumbria Labour Dr Roz Savage South Cotswolds Liberal Democrats Lee Dillon Newbery Liberal Democrats Sarah Dyke Glastonbury & Somerton Liberal Democrats Callum Anderson Buckingham & Bletchley Labour Maya Ellis Ribble Valley Labour Steve Witherden Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr Labour
