THE PRESIDENT of the National Farmers Union (NFU) has called the government’s Agriculture Bill “one of the most important pieces of legislation” the country has seen.

The Bill was produced this month at parliament with major elements included changes to how farmers are paid for using their land, but there is no mention of whether food standards will be protected.

Minette Batters said the bill addressed issues from a similar bill introduced during the previous parliament but still wants to see legislation to protect standards.

She said: “It is absolutely vital that it is tailored to farming’s specific needs and ambitions.

“Our farmers provide the nation with safe, traceable and nutritious food produced to some of the highest standards of animal welfare, environmental protection and food safety in the world.

“With the right policy framework in place we can build on this to lead the world in the production of climate-friendly food and realise our ambitions to reach net zero by 2040.

“I’m pleased that the government has clearly listened to many of the concerns we raised with the Bill in the last parliament and has acted to ensure the vital role of farmers as food producers is properly valued.

“However, farmers across the country will still want to see legislation underpinning the government’s assurances that they will not allow the imports of food produced to standards that would be illegal here through future trade deals.

“We will continue to press the government to introduce a standards commission as a matter of priority to oversee and advise on future food trade policy and negotiations.”

Mrs Batters added that the NUF was encouraged by the Bill’s recognition that food production and caring for the environment go hand-in-hand but warned the government’s words will come under the microscope.

She added: “Farmers are rightly proud of their environmental efforts and it is crucial this new policy recognises and rewards the environmental benefits they deliver, both now and in the future.

“We look forward to more detail about how exactly the food security provisions will operate and how they account for the strategic importance of a robust and resilient domestic farming sector.

“In the coming days we will scrutinise this Bill in great detail to ensure that it provides the policy for a thriving farming sector post-Brexit.

“The NFU will work with both the government and MPs in the coming weeks to ensure that this Bill delivers on these vital issues not only for farmers, but for our nation as a whole in the years ahead.”