Leighton Buzzard public meeting will discuss challenges facing farmers - and how you can help
Leighton Buzzard people are encouraged to act now as the UK's food secruity is "at risk".
A public meeting will be held on Saturday, November 14 from 2.30pm until 4pm in All Saints Church, to explain on how individuals "can make a difference".
The Protect our Countryside and our Farmers meeting will include speeches from farmers and a representative of the National Farmers Union – and there will be discussions afterwards along with free refreshments.
A spokeswoman for South Bedfordshire Friends of the Earth said: “For the past 1,000 years Leighton Buzzard has been a town where local farmers have brought their produce in from the countryside to the market to feed the urban inhabitants.
"Farmers not only provide our food but they also look after the woods, streams and nature that is so important to our quality of life.
"Yet this year many farmers lost their government funding to support nature, while at the same time facing huge challenges of climate change and poor trade deals with other countries."
The event has been organised by All Saints Church and South Bedfordshire Friends of the Earth, with support from Leighton-Linslade Town Council.
The farmers and the National Farmers Union will be talking about the challenges that that they are facing with drought and flooding, as well as the implications of new trade deals.
The spokeswoman added: "They are competing against cheap, imported food produced with much lower environmental and animal welfare standards – and also the cuts in funding from government.
"The UK imports 40 per cent of its food – including 80 per cent of fruit – and 47 per cent of veg and fruit is from countries like Spain that are suffering from wildfires all summer.
"This is putting the UK’s food security at risk."
Speakers include:
> David Felce from Midloe Grange farm who won the Rawcliffe Bridge Award for Sustainability in 2025.
> Kevin Jones from Morgan Pell farm near Kimbolton, Bedfordshire who has regularly attended Leighton Buzzard farmers market for 27years
> David Hunt from Watergate Farm just East of Leighton Buzzard by Hockliffe, who organises open days for lambing; https://watergatefarmturkeys.com/lambing-days/
> Clare Gregory who is the National Farmers Union Country Adviser for Bedfordshire and Huntingdonshire