Goodness there was a massive turnout in Romsey, Stockbridge and all the villages in between for the Romsey Young Farmers' annual tractor run, which was held between Christmas and New Year. There were over 300 tractors taking part, and I know it is no mean feat to organise it all, so congratulations to all those who gave up their time to make it happen. I was particularly impressed with the decorations on the majority of tractors, tinsel, lights, and more than a few grinches to be seen, not to mention the banners about how important it is to back British Farming.
There was a great interview in the Times recently with former NFU President, and now member of the House of Lords, Baroness Batters. Minette farms just outside this constituency, so I cannot claim her as a constituent, but would like to pay tribute to the incredible work she has done over the past 8 months on the Farming Profitability Review. The review, which was published just before Christmas, makes sobering reading, but sets out nearly 60 recommendations which if implemented could make a real difference to farmers and the wider farming community.
As thoughts turn to New Year and those all important, but oft ill fated, resolutions, the review also includes a section on the national diet, and how we can better educate ourselves about where our food comes from and what is and is not nutritious. Other countries have a real food culture and celebrate produce that is grown or reared locally. Perhaps we could do well to emulate that here, after all we have a wonderful range of local farmers and food producers. On which subject I still have my fingers crossed for Chalkstream, who are the regional finalists in the Food and Drink Federation awards in the New Year.
Local producers also are great suppliers to some of our wonderful hospitality venues here in Romsey and Southampton North. The start of January is often a very tough time for the hospitality sector and particularly pubs as many of us eschew alcohol for Dry January. However that is no reason not to support local pubs, restaurants and cafes, just perhaps with a mineral water focus! Buoyed up by Government changes for farmers on inheritance tax, I know UK Hospitality will be having a real push lobbying the Government to change the increase to business rates that many hospitality venues are dreading in the New Year. It is an important campaign, well supported by local publicans, and I will be playing my part in emphasising to the Chancellor just how tough it is for hospitality businesses locally.
