NFU Vice-president Robyn Munt attended the show, in Ardingly, West Sussex, on Friday and said it was an excellent day of member engagement.
She took part in an NFU-organised a roundtable discussion with Shadow Defra Minister Dr Neil Hudson, MPs Mims Davies and James MacCleary and NFU members and staff.
Key farming issues were discussed, including the need for more support for small and medium-sized abattoirs, animal health and welfare and environmental support schemes.
She also joined an NFU-organised roundtable discussion on farm safety and rural crime in the afternoon and took part in media interviews.
Robyn said: “Shows like this are a brilliant opportunity to bring farmers together to discuss key challenges and issues facing the industry and to look at how we can work together to find solutions.
“Our member engagement at the show has been excellent. We have had constructive discussions with MPs and other stakeholders on issues including planning, devolution, farm safety, rural crime, recruitment and how we can encourage more young people to come into farming.
“I have also been very impressed by the number of livestock entries and the wide range of ages of people who have been exhibiting.”
Robyn was joined at the show by NFU Regional Director Zoe Leach, NFU Regional Board Chair Caroline Harriott, County Adviser Josh Redford and NFU Water Resources Specialist Mark Betson, along with other county and regional farming leaders and farmer members.
NFU members and staff were also at the show on Saturday and Sunday to thank the public for their continued support and highlight the vital role farmers and growers play in driving the region’s economy, supporting the environment and caring for the countryside, while feeding the nation.
Defra figures show that farming provides more than 45,500 jobs in the South East and London and that farming contributes more than £813m to the economy of these areas.