Farming Manifesto - Updated

The challenges today's farming businesses in Britain face to survive and thrive have never been greater.

British farmers are amongst the most efficient in Europe, but in an increasingly open market now have to complete more intensely with farmers in other parts of the world. At the same time farmer's main customers have further grown in commercial strength and concentration, whilst farming continues to be mostly conducted by relatively large numbers of comparatively small businesses.

Farmers and growers look to the next government to work with them to square up to these challenges, which can only be achieved on the basis of a sustainable recovery in the industry's economic prospects from the low base of recent years.

Pressure continues for a relaxation of trade barriers which results in sharper competition between producers around the world.

The implementation from this year of reforms of the CAP removes incentives to farmers geared mainly to production, but means they must more closely identify market opportunities for now and the future.

Last but by no means least, consumers and taxpayers have high expectations of farmers regarding their other services to the nation, including the care for, and conservation of, our beautiful countryside, which is so rich in wildlife.

The next government will have some vital opportunities on the world stage, in Europe, and in the UK to secure policy decisions which will encourage British farmers to work in partnership with them to meet these challenges, fostering conditions in which farmers can sustainably deliver society's need to safe, good quality food, and other products, and responsible management of the environment.