NFU president Meurig Raymond has called on the Secretary of State for the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to help deliver a new domestic agricultural policy that works for farmers, consumers and the economy.

Mr Raymond’s meeting with Elizabeth Truss came just two days before the NFU’s ruling council meeting last Friday called to discuss the important role government needs to play to ensure British farming and food production are sustainable outside of Europe.

“Food and farming is of strategic importance to the country. I have stressed to the Secretary of State that the NFU is ready and willing to work with Government to ensure we have a profitable, productive and competitive farming industry. That work must start now,” said Mr Raymond.

“We must take this opportunity to build a new domestic agricultural policy that is shaped to meet our needs, a policy that allows farmers and growers to prosper while delivering the nation’s home-grown food.”

And he added: “Getting the right results will take time but we need early answers to questions such as the future of support payments. We will be seeking guarantees that the support given to our farmers remains equal to that given to farmers in the EU.

“It will be essential that we are not disadvantaged during the future trade negotiations and government must not allow an open door policy to imports produced to lower standards.”

Mr Raymond added: “The Government’s approach to regulation is another key issue. Members have already lost the use of neonicotinoids to control pests in oilseed rape crops. We now have a golden opportunity to ensure our arrangements are in future proportionate and decisions are based on sound science.”