FSB campaigns for a Fairer Deal for Farmers at the Bath & West Dairy Show

The Dairy Show is ready to welcome more trade stands than ever this year and is hoping for record attendance to match at the Royal Bath and West of England Showground, Shepton Mallet on Wednesday, October 5.

As well as the top-quality livestock there is a full programme of events including the Federation of Small Businesss seminar on Farming Today from 1-2pm in the Bath & West Lecture Theatre. Richard Haddock, Devon Farmer and entrepreneur will be talking about his view of issues as a farmer on what he believes needs to be addressed in giving our farmers a fairer deal.

The FSB believes that our farmers spend too much time dealing with red tape which takes them away from their day job of managing livestock and farming the land.

Consumers find it hard to make informed choices about the food they eat. The FSB is calling for food labelling that clearly states where the food was produced along with information about environmental and welfare conditions.

The FSB wants the government to help farmers meet the up-front costs of micro energy generating technologies such as solar panels and anaerobic digesters to ensure that going green makes economic sense. This allows farmers to do their bit in the fight against climate change whilst at the same time helping reduce their costs.

Ian Dyer, FSB Somerset and Wiltshire Chairman said:
The FSB is concerned that small farmers are undervalued and coming under increasing strain from heavy-handed and excessive regulation and too much focus on the large scale agri-business. In our Keep Trade Local week in September we had huge support at farmers markets across Somerset and Wiltshire. Consumers know our farmers produce some of the best food in the world and they want to buy locally-sourced produce. So lets celebrate what our farmers are doing and support them by giving them a fair deal.

Linda Walton, FSB Chairman of Rural Affairs said:
“Our farmers have a huge role in the modern rural economy – a role that can help preserve our precious rural environment, sustain our rural communities and help meet the UKs food security needs.
 

Chairman of the Show, Richard Calver said:
“The fact that dairy farmers are at present at the bottom of the European price league for their product must be causing concern for everyone in the industry. This event is an ideal opportunity for the dairy farmer to lobby his milk buyer and industry leader to obtain a fairer deal for our producers.

You can find out more about how the FSB is working for a Fairer Deal for Farmers and share your views by visiting Stand number 216 on the balcony in the Showering Pavilion where refreshments will be available.

• The FSB is Britain’s biggest business organisation with over 200,000 members. In the Somerset and Wiltshire Region there are 7,500 member businesses in the 7 local Branches. The FSB protects and promotes the interests of the self-employed and all those who run their own business. More information is available at www.fsb.org.uk and also at the Somerset & Wiltshire Region website: www.fsb.org.uk/somerset-and-wilts. If you require local quotes from local businesses and feedback on business issues in the Somerset and Wiltshire area please contact Mary as below:
• The FSB will be on Stand number 216 on the balcony in the Showering Pavilion. The FSB has sponsored a seminar on “Farming Today” from 1-2pm in the Bath & West Lecture Theatre with guest speaker Richard Haddock, Devon Farmer and entrepreneur.