Tory ministers failing to help farmers deal with Brexit fallout, says NFU

More support needed, says union – as Keir Starmer vows ‘better trading relationship’ with EU will help farmers

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer during his visit to Home Farm in Solihull, West Midlands (PA)

Rishi Sunak’s government is failing to “back up its rhetoric” with action to help farmers hit by post-Brexit changes, labour shortages and rising costs, the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) has said.

NFU president Minette Batters warned that “the clock is ticking” on support for farmers and growers struggling with a wide range of issues – including the environment land management schemes (ELMs) aimed at replacing EU subsidies.

“We have seen progress”, said Ms Batters at the NFU conference in Birmingham – pointing to the prospectus for the post-Brexit subsidy scheme and increases to seasonal agricultural workers schemes.