MEDIA AND THE NATIONAL FARMERS' UNION

Early day motion 1832, tabled 27 October 2004 by Paul Flynn (Labour). Signed by 9 members.

That this House notes with derision the inept gullibility of the media in swallowing the self-serving claim by the National Farmers' Union (NFU) in August that this year's grain harvest would be a disaster; is delighted that the grain and wheat harvests are 4 per cent. and 10 per cent. higher than last year's; notes that reports of Lord Haskins' views that 'arable farmers stood to lose more than farmers hit by foot and mouth' omitted the crucial qualification that 'farmers were more than adequately compensated in that epidemic and many made money out of it'; and urges media caution in regurgitating the propaganda of the NFU, an organisation afflicted with chronic whingeing incontinence.

Signatures by party: Labour 7, Conservative 1, Liberal Democrat 1.