Bold action is needed to back British farming, NFU tells MPs

09 September 2026

| 5 minute read

Speaking at the 11th Back British Farming Day in parliament, NFU President Tom Bradshaw told the government that this summer has not been business as usual, and bold action is needed to back British farming.

The NFU’s Back British Farming Day has become a key date in the parliamentary calendar and a way for the NFU to engage with Westminster and the general public alike on all things farming.

Today, more than 100 MPs and peers, representing nine political parties, joined the NFU to celebrate British farmers and growers and the contribution they make to the country.

Defra Secretary of State Dame Angela Eagle joined the reception, as did Farming Minister Stephen Morgan, and Water Minister Emma Hardy.

“When a farm invests, the benefit is felt by local workers, contractors, processors, vets, hauliers, shops and pubs. To me, that is what growth in every postcode means.”

NFU President Tom Bradshaw

Opportunities for growth

NFU President Tom Bradshaw welcomed the Secretary of State to the event, and thanked the ministers for their frank, open and honest relationship they have built.

Tom told the assembled ministers that this summer has been the most difficult in a generation. Drought, disease and conflicts abroad have all hit British farming, leaving no sector unscathed. These problems are causing otherwise viable farm businesses to suffer acute cashflow problems, and asked for a government-backed, interest free loan which would give farm businesses the breathing space they need to weather the storm. The Keep Britain Growing Loan has been called for by all four British farming unions.

Tom also highlighted that agriculture is uniquely placed to fulfil the Prime Minister’s promise of good growth in every postcode. Farming directly employs 334,000 people. It sits at the heart of Britain’s largest manufacturing sector, food and drink, worth more than £162 billion.  Farming also supports businesses in feed, energy, fertiliser, logistics and professional services, purchasing more than £20 billion of goods and services each year.

Tom said: “When a farm invests, the benefit is felt by local workers, contractors, processors, vets, hauliers, shops and pubs. To me, that is what growth in every postcode means”.

Following the reception, the PM Andy Burnham acknowledged the importance of Back British Farming Day during Prime Minister’s Questions, building on his visit to an NFU member’s farm in August alongside Tom Bradshaw.

“Food security is national security and we will continue to back British farming as a govenment.”

Prime Minister Andy Burnham

Across the regions

From regional newsrooms to national media outlets, the NFU made sure backing British farming was firmly in the spotlight over the course of the day, securing more than 40 regional interviews with NFU members and national coverage in The Times, Daily Telegraph and Daily Express, as well as broadcast interviews on TV and radio.

Regional television coverage included BBC Spotlight, ITV West Country, BBC North West Tonight, ITV Border, BBC Look North East, BBC Look North (Yorks / Lincs), BBC Midlands Today, ITV Central, ITV Meridian, ITV Anglia.

NFU President Tom Bradshaw was on Radio 5 Live’s Wake Up to Money, Times Radio Early Breakfast Show, LBC, LBC News and Matt Chorley’s show on 5 Live, as well as appearing on GB News.

Meanwhile, NFU Chief Economist Jack Watts discussed the report on Radio 4’s Farming Today.

Read: Bringing the farm to Birmingham for NFU’s Back British Farming Day celebration

Catch a glimpse of the NFU coverage across national and regional media on Back British Farming Day.

See the reception in photos

The reception, which was kindly sponsored by Josh Newbury MP for Cannock Chase, saw NFU representatives from every NFU region and Wales and every commodity sector explain both the challenges they have been facing and the practical steps that can be taken to help farmers grow their businesses.

Senior MPs in attendance: