The latest Farm Business Income figures suggest that farmers are still feeling the impact of an unpredictable and volatile market place, the NFU has said.
.
NFU President Meurig Raymond said that while many sectors had seen improved fortunes – mainly due to the falling value of the pound – the wider industry was suffering from sharp rises in farm inputs, such as for feed, fertilisers and machinery.
“It is good news that many sectors are currently seeing improved commodity prices. However, for all sectors these figures can quickly change and steep reductions in the dairy and poultry sectors only go to emphasise that farmers are in an extremely volatile sector,” he added.
“Looking ahead, this uncertainty shows no sign of abating and there will be many challenges ahead as Brexit negotiations begin.
“With that in mind, I am calling on the government to ensure it can introduce a domestic agricultural policy which helps build a more profitable farming industry, by focusing on productivity, volatility mitigation and environmental measures, as highlighted at our conference last week.
“Our industry now needs certainty and firm commitments from government if the country is to feel the benefits of a thriving food and farming industry. NFU members want to deliver on a vision shared with Government for an increasingly profitable, competitive and sustainable food and farming sector.
“We have been clear on what we believe is needed to achieve this. Firstly unrestricted access to the European market, secondly continued access to a competent and reliable workforce both pre and post farm-gate and thirdly a new agricultural policy which assists in the development of an increasingly productive, progressive and above all profitable farming sector.”