In Canterbury, farmers took to the streets on Sunday 3rd March to protest against foreign imports of food. Approximately 200 farmers participated in the protest, forming a convoy of farming vehicles for a “go-slow” demonstration. Placards with the message ‘No Farmers, No Food, No Future’ decorated the tractors as a symbol of resistance.
The protest, organized by Fairness for Farmers, aimed to show support for British farmers and locally produced goods. Richard Ash, the event organizer, voiced the sentiment shared by many participants in an interview with BBC News: “It doesn’t make sense for us to import produce, with a high carbon footprint, from all over the world when we should be prioritizing our own farming industry.”
Geoffrey Philpot, a cauliflower farmer from East Kent, emphasized the importance of maintaining high standards in food production for the UK market. He expressed concerns about substandard imports lacking the same quality and safety regulations imposed on British farmers.
A Government spokesperson reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting British farmers and promoting British trade. The annual farming budget of £2.4 billion is allocated to assist farmers in producing food profitably and sustainably. Efforts are also being made to improve fairness in the supply chain and enhance support for British farmers and growers.
Andrew Opie, director of food and sustainability at the British Retail Consortium, highlighted the efforts made by food retailers to source the majority of their products from UK farmers. Despite the challenges faced by British farmers, retailers are striving to pay fair prices for produce while also managing costs to prevent food price inflation. Customers are provided with a wide selection of British products, clearly labeled to aid in informed decision-making during shopping.
