‘Lancashire farmers produce world-class food to some of the highest standards anywhere in the world’

Lancashire County Councillors joined local farmers and NFU representatives on a farm visit near Clitheroe to celebrate British food production and gain a greater understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing family farms.

Hosted by NFU Council delegate John Alpe, 15 county councillors visited New Laund Farm in Whitewell, where John and his family farm 400 hectares producing sheep, beef and dairy while delivering significant environmental benefits through habitat management and nature recovery projects.

The visit formed part of the NFU's campaign to Back British Farming and highlight the vital role farmers play in producing food, supporting rural communities and driving the local economy.

During the visit, councillors heard how Lancashire farmers are producing high-quality food to world-leading standards while managing rising costs, extreme weather, animal disease risks and uncertainty over future farming policies.

Councillors also heard about new NFU research which shows the UK is producing less of its own food than it did 30 years ago. The NFU's Ready to Grow report found that self-sufficiency has fallen in 10 out of 11 everyday food categories, including wheat, vegetables, beef, poultry meat and eggs, while food import volumes have increased by 70%.

To help secure the future of British food production, the NFU is calling on government to set ambitious targets for homegrown food production. The proposal has strong public backing, with research showing 93% of British households believe it is important to maintain or increase UK food self-sufficiency.

Mr Alpe said: "It was a pleasure to welcome councillors onto the farm and have the opportunity to show them the work that goes into producing food while caring for the environment.

"Lancashire farmers produce world-class food to some of the highest standards anywhere in the world, but the figures in the NFU's Ready to Grow report show why we need a long-term commitment to domestic food production.

"Farmers are facing huge pressures, from extreme weather and rising costs to uncertainty over future policies. It is important that decision-makers understand both the contribution farming makes to our local economy and the challenges facing family farm businesses.

"By working together, we can help secure a positive future for British food production, support rural communities and ensure farming remains at the heart of Lancashire's economy and countryside."

The report also highlights the financial pressures facing farmers, revealing that much of Britain's food is being produced at a loss. It found that 65% of wheat and barley grown on cereal farms came from businesses operating at a loss, while only 26% of some sheep products were produced by profitable lowland livestock farm businesses.

Farmers raised concerns about a range of issues affecting the sector, including the future of farming support schemes, bluetongue disease, access to seasonal labour, volatile input costs and the impact of extreme weather on food production.

These challenges come at a time when the worst drought in 50 years is expected to cost wheat growers £370 million, while the UK's largest-ever bluetongue outbreak and rising fuel, fertiliser and energy costs continue to place significant pressure on farm businesses.

Despite these challenges, agriculture remains a cornerstone of the UK economy. Gross Value Added has risen by 57% in England and 55% in Wales, helping to support the food and drink sector, the UK's largest manufacturing industry, worth £162.3 billion and supporting 4.1 million jobs.

During the visit, councillors were shown how productive agriculture can work alongside nature recovery, with New Laund Farm supporting habitats for ground-nesting birds such as lapwings and curlews, alongside efforts to restore heather moorland, native woodland and species-rich wildflower meadows.

NFU County Adviser Aarun Naik said: "Visits like this provide a valuable opportunity for councillors to hear directly from farmers and see the realities of modern food production.

"Lancashire farmers are proud to produce high-quality British food while delivering environmental benefits and supporting rural communities.

"We want to see government set ambitious targets for homegrown food production and provide farm businesses with the confidence they need to invest, grow and continue producing the food our nation relies on."