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Journey to carbon neutral ā€œexcitingā€

Carbon neutral farming could be a big opportunity for British farming ā€“ but only if the industry isnā€™t ā€œsacrificedā€ in trade deals by politicians, says a top farming chief.

ā€œThe road that we are on now ā€“ the journey to carbon neutral food production - the ability to produce so many more of our fibres, fuel, food, in a way that is truly sustainable, I think it is becoming a very exciting time,ā€ said Minette Batters, President of the National Farmersā€™ Union of England and Wales.

ā€œYoung people donā€™t have any of the baggage of our generation,ā€ she said speaking to Stephen Sackur on HARDtalk.

But she warned that the opportunities are reliant on the support of the government. ā€œIā€™m really hopeful that if politicians can just see the jewel that is in front of them there is a great future,ā€ she said.

ā€œBut if we are sacrificed in trade deals, if we are undermined in the marketplace ā€“ itā€™s going to cause devastation out there.ā€

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