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 have provided 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.”