Today is Back British Farming Day and the NFU is holding a
national celebration to showcase the significant role that
farming plays as the backbone of Britain’s rural economy, its
communities and iconic environment.
British farmers are already world leaders for producing high
quality, sustainable food and have an ambition to deliver more to
help Britain’s food security and drive the economy. Alongside
this crucial role as food producers, farmers are also central to
the rural community and deliver in ways which often go
unnoticed.
Starting in Westminster, the Back British Farming Day celebration
will centre around winners of the NFU’s new Community Farming
Heroes award, nominated by MPs, and given to those farmers and
growers who have gone the extra mile for their local community
and beyond. Some have donated supplies to Ukraine, while others
haveprovided safe and supportive homes for vulnerable women and
children, many have used their farms as outdoor classrooms, while
dozens have fundraised thousands of pounds for charities.
In addition, MPs will be asked to wear their wheatsheaf pin
badge, now an emblem of the day, to show their support.
NFU President Minette Batters said: “I am immensely proud of the
farmers we have had nominated for our Community Farming Heroes
award; people who go above and beyond every single day. As
producers of the nation’s food – with world leading standards of
animal welfare, as custodians of our working environment, and as
an employer of 301,000 people – British farmers across the
country will be celebrating Back British Farming Day.
“This year’s event comes at an extremely important time for
British farming, and for the country. As the nation faces
continued economic challenges, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s
immediate priority will be to establish economic stability for
the whole country. This includes for our farmers and growers who,
like many households, continue to face significant challenges,
including rising energy costs.
“British food and farming is currently worth more than £120
billion to the nation’s economy, and we are an industry that
wants to drive growth both in home markets and overseas. I firmly
believe that with the right policies in place we can work with
government to provide solutions to many of the issues we’re
facing, from the cost-of-living crisis, energy and food security,
to tackling climate change and encouraging vital STEM learning in
schools.
“We are ambitious to deliver for the nation on all fronts, but
that ambition must be matched by government and backed up by
policy. For the country, and its farmers, honesty and certainty
about the future will be absolutely vital.
“A government that backs British farming will be backing the
development and growth in all of these key areas, so we ask all
MPs to wear their wheatsheaf pin badge with pride to show their
support for Back British Farming Day.”
-ends-
Notes to editor:
- The NFU is holding an awards ceremony in Westminster on 2
November. In attendance will be the regional winners of the NFU
Community Farming Heroes, as well as the MPs who nominated them.
- More information about the NFU’s Community Farming Heroes
award and the regional winners can be found here.
- For interviews contact Mike.Thomas@nfu.org.uk.
- In a new report being launched to MPs to mark the day, the
NFU shines a light on the inspirational story British farming has
to tell. Read the NFU’s British farming:
inspiring a nation report here.
- Join the Back British Farming Day celebration by using the
#BackBritishFarmingDay hashtag on social media and download our
Back British Farming Day Twibbon here.
- The iconic wheatsheaf badge is representative of the
celebratory spirit of Back British Farming Day. It’s made of
wheat sourced from farms in the spectacular countryside of
Shropshire, and wool from Devon’s Blue Face Leicester sheep which
has been spun and dyed blue and red specifically to celebrate
British food and farming.
