Roger Williams MP
Roger Williams, Liberal Democrat Food and Rural Affairs spokesperson:
"I would like to commend the NFU for the work they have done on this election manifesto [launched at the same time as the Why Farming Matters More Than Ever campaign] and for focusing the attention of all the political parties on what will continue to be key issues throughout the next parliament and beyond.
"Farmers are the backbone of many rural communities and are often taken for granted for the key role they play, not just in terms of food production but also as guardians of the land.
"Crippled by rising input costs, low farmgate prices and an unforgiving market, the NFU's manifesto addresses the real problems of Britain's farmers by placing them at the heart of policy decision making.
"The NFU's manifesto addresses the issue of how the UK can move to a sustainable, secure supply of food while at the same time preserving the natural environment."
