MPs will wear their specially designed British wheat lapel badges to Prime Minister’s Questions and sign the NFU’s post-Brexit pledge. Rural affairs Secretary of State Andrea Leadsom and farming minister George Eustice have already confirmed their support and attendance.
The event is timed to coincide with the end of an historic NFU member consultation – where the NFU has been speaking to its members on the impact of Brexit and what a future domestic farming policy should look like.
NFU Deputy President Minette Batters said: “It is essential that post-Brexit, agriculture is seen as strategically and politically important in all future trade negotiations. But beyond that, we need government to ensure it is committed to supporting the long-term future of an industry worth £108bn to the economy and one which is responsible for putting so much British food on our plates.
“That’s why we have arranged the event in Westminster and I would urge as many MPs as possible to sign our pledge. I am very pleased that Andrea Leadsom - with whom the NFU has already spoken to at length about the need for the development of a domestic agricultural policy – and George Eustice have said they will be attending.”
Environment Secretary Andrea Leadsom said: “British farming is a bedrock of our economy, and enjoys a global reputation for producing world class food. I want to see this vital industry go from strength to strength and supporting our farmers will form an important part of our exit from the EU. I look forward to working with the farming industry to shape a bright new future.”
The call comes just a week after Prime Minister Theresa May told the House of Commons that Government needed “to recognise the very significant role that the food and farming industry plays in the United Kingdom and of course we will be looking to work with the sector.”
Today the NFU is...
- Encouraging people to contact their local MPs on Twitter to see if they will #BackBritishFarming
- Encouraging MPs to show their support on Twitter using #BackBritishFarming; and to wear their British-made pin badges in Parliament
Watch
Our new animation marks #BackBritishFarming Day by showing the amazing difference farmers make to the nation. If you see it on social media, make sure to share.
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