Why F Is For Farmers

The National Farmers Union president on bringing food back to the debating table.

- Kate Green

I’M not your average NFU president,’ says Minette Batters, ‘although I probably mirror much of the membership.’ She’s referring to the size of her farm—300 acres—and the fact that it’s a tenancy, but then these are far from average times in either agriculture or politics.

We’re talking in the light, bright kitchen of her Wiltshire farmhouse, five days before Michael Gove’s unveiling of the Agriculture Bill, when she can be heard sharing the Today studio with the Defra Secretary. Brexit has propelled the agriculture industry to the forefront of political debate and that, combined with Mrs Batters’ charisma as the farming body’s first female president in 110 years and her refreshingly punchy way of talking, means she’s become the go-to opinion provider.

‘It’s an incredibly important moment [for farming], but an exciting one as well—the harsh realities will probably be in five or six years’ time,’ she warns. ‘And it’s a time for opportunity and vision, as we won’t deliver anything on the back of begging-bowl messages.

‘Farming and food haven’t been on the political agenda for a while. We’re about 20 years on from things like BSE or foot-and-mouth, which could end a ministerial career overnight. We have the Food Standards Agency and the responsibility has been off ministers.

‘Since we’ve been in Europe, we’ve shored up food security and, in the meantime, the major retailers have been allowed to run the show. Government needs a far better understanding of the food chain. We’ve taken food for granted and it’s time to change the agenda. You can’t compare it with something like coal— everyone has to eat.’