Farmers and growers across North East England are being urged to gear up for the forthcoming European elections due to take place on June 4.

The elections are important, says the NFU, because of the increasing role of the European Parliament – which in the coming months is due to take a number of key decisions on everything from sheep tagging and pollution control to the future of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

Such is the focus on this year’s elections that the four UK farming unions have joined forces to launch a manifesto in Brussels.

This argues for a scientific approach to decision-making and for better regulation that results from rigorous impact assessments. It also calls for proactive support both for “country of origin” labelling and a grocery supply chain code of practice.

“With turnout at the last European elections a mere 38 per cent, compared with 61 per cent for the last general election, it’s clear that the majority of the voting public remain unconvinced about the importance of having their say at the ballot box,” said NFU regional director Richard Ellison.

“However the farming industry cannot afford to take that view – especially given the influence that the European Parliament has over farming businesses.

“What we need is a team of MEPs in Brussels that understand our businesses and how we might be affected by decisions they will be asked to make.”

To coincide with the election campaign, two hustings meetings have been organised to give NFU members the chance to meet their prospective candidates and put questions to them.

These meetings will be held at Kirkley Hall College, near Ponteland, on Wednesday, May 27, and at NFU Regional Office, Tadcaster Road, York on Thursday, May 28. Both will start at 7.30pm.