Is it not about time we had a mature and sensible discussion about food production and how high standards are in the UK?

The plentiful supply of affordable food that is safe, nutritious and delicious does not happen by accident.

Food is produced today in the UK by farms of different sizes, employing capital, skill, hard work and dedication, with high animal welfare standards and high environmental ­standards while under intense price pressure.

Sometimes, as in any ­industry, mistakes are made. If this happens they are corrected quickly and may have been caused in the first place by issues outside the farmer’s direct control. Very rarely do we see mistakes, and considering the number of farmers and skilled workers involved, that is a credit to our industry.

Food production today across the world is a sophisticated and highly skilled business for good reason. We have a growing ­population to feed and shortages or unaffordable prices have no romance attached either.

Gwyn Jones

chairman

Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board Dairy