Two-day NSA Next Generation trip to Westminster puts the spotlight on UK farming legislation – now and in the future

The unintended consequences of well-meaning legislation was a reoccurring theme throughout a two-day trip to Westminster undertaken by young sheep farmers this week (Tuesday 11th and Wednesday 12th February).

NSA Next Generation selected 10 individuals from around the UK to take to London to find out more about the politics of sheep farming and the impact rules and regulations created in Westminster have, not just on individual farms, but throughout the food chain.

Following a tour of the House of Commons and House of Lords, NSA President Lord Inglewood hosted a roundtable discussion in which the 10 Next Generation representatives were invited to ask questions of Daniel Zeichner (Minister of State for Food Security and Rural Affairs), Alistair Carmichael (Chair of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee) and a trio of civil servants (led by John Powell, Head of Agricultural Sectors Team in Defra).

Joanne Briggs, NSA Operations Director, guided the Next Generation group over the two days. She says: “The conversation ranged widely, but included points about graziers (a common route into sheep farming for new entrants) finding it difficult to get government support because they didn’t own land, and also how farmers already in Higher Level Stewardship felt penalised for previous good work by being excluded from the new Sustainable Farming Incentive.

“Mr Zeichner and Mr Powell were very transparent about the fact that legislation came from a place of good intentions, for example to address climate change concerns, but often had consequences that were unforeseen. Mr Powell said the move towards co-design between government and industry stakeholders – a process NSA has been supportive of and involved in – was a better way to develop legislation. And that feedback from individual farmers was always welcomed and taken on board. Both he and Mr Zeichner thanked the group for their candid contributions and clear passion for the sector, while Mr Carmichael emphasised the need for farming stakeholders to continually challenge the government and ensure the phrase ‘unintended consequences’ wasn’t used disingenuously to hide poor legislative decisions.”

The group enjoyed British lamb as the centrepiece of a meal at the Farmers Club at Whitehall, where they were joined for the evening by Tim Farron MP. He spoke eloquently about the role of  opposition MPs in holding the government to account and why it was essential to ensure legislation did not force farmers out of business. He similarly encouraged young people to speak out and share their experiences to highlight where legislation helped or hindered their progress in the sector.

A visit to the New Zealand High Commission near Trafalgar Square to speak to government spokespeople and New Zealand Beef + Lamb representatives compared how legislation and free trade agreements are thrashed out on the other side of the world and affect sheep farmers there. The group were fascinated by the insight into sheep farming as a truly global business, with export markets around the world a key component for both UK and NZ producers. A session at M&S Head Quarters at Paddington focused on the domestic trade, and how supermarkets use existing legislation around animal welfare and climate change mitigation as the baseline for assurance and accreditation to market food to consumers. Megan Powell of M&S also talked enthusiastically about how younger consumers were increasingly buying and enjoying British lamb.

At least half of the NSA Next Generation group met their local MP while in Westminster. One of them was Emily Elnaugh, who travelled from Suffolk for the two-day event. She says: “I would like to thank NSA, Lord Inglewood and everyone involved for a great few days. I learned a lot and am very grateful for the opportunity. I followed up the meeting with my MP with an invitation to him to come and draw finished lambs with me and see how we produce high quality stock for the food supply chain.”

Finn Selby-Green, a sheep contractor and agricultural student from Kent, said: “It was a great couple of days. I learnt so much and we were given opportunities we would never be able to get without NSA and others who supported the trip. It was great to meet the other sheep farmers too. We plan to stay in touch with NSA and each other.”

The 10 young sheep farmers on the trip were Elsa Amiss (Cornwall), Sam Edwards (Dorset), William Egerton (County Fermanagh), Emily Elnaugh (Suffolk), Jack Fletcher (Norfolk), Hannah Grindey (Staffordshire), Emily Jones (Ceredigion), Rachel Raine (Northumberland), Lucy Robbins (Gloucestershire) and Finn Selby-Green (Kent).

NSA thanks Lord Inglewood for sponsoring the visit to the Palace of Westminster and the many contributors who gave their time so generously – Daniel Zeichner MP, Tim Farron MP, Alistair Carmichael of EFRA and Jimmy Lindgvist, Jenny Maresh and John Powell of Defra, plus Marks & Spencer, the New Zealand High Commission, and New Zealand Beef + Lamb.