'Difficult year' for farmers as annual show begins

A farming boss has said the industry is going through instability as thousands of people began flocking to one of south-east England's biggest annual countryside events.

More than 30,000 people are expected at the South of England Show at Ardingly, West Sussex, over three days from Friday.

Caroline Harriott, the National Farmers' Union West Sussex council representative, said it had been a "difficult year for farmers".

Ms Harriott, a farmer from Arundel, added: "We are pushing for the £5bn agricultural budget spent over the past two years to be protected. There's so much at stake for farmers."

The latest government figures show that food production provides 45,500 jobs and £813m to the economy of the South East and London.

"It's vital for the region," Ms Harriott added.

"We are going round the show talking to farmers seeing what we can do to help them."

Farmer Tom Gribble said: "It is tough. It is impacting everybody. We are trying to strip out as much costs and are reinvesting less in new machinery - which will be detrimental to the industry in the future.

"We need to back British farming."

Events at the three-day show, which began on Friday, include international showjumping, displays of vintage agricultural machinery and falconry.

Alan Smith, chair of the South of England Agricultural Society, said it was a "beautiful event to show off farming to the public".

A show spokesperson said it aimed to provide a "big boost for the rural economy while offering to connect visitors with all aspects of countryside life".

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