No matter what food you produce, together we’ve got a great story to tell.
From innovative ways of tackling climate change to sophisticated breeding built on years of know-how, we all believe our food is the best in the world, to be enjoyed all year round.
British farmers produce food to some of the highest standards in the world, have a strong commitment to the well-being and care of their animals, food safety, and environmental protection.
This January, use your voice on social media to show the climate-friendly food you and your fellow farmers are producing and tell people what British farming means to you.
Download our sign and write your message on what British farming means to you. Don't forget to take a picture of yourself holding it, and post to any social media platforms you use.
When posting to social media remember to use the hashtag #BackBritishFarming
Spreading the good news
Still not sure? Look how NFU Environment Forum chair Richard Bramley used his sign on Twitter to spread the message far and wide on Back British Farming Day.
2. Ideas for social media posts
This year we want to show the authentic side of farming across social media. We want to see posts of happy animals being well looked after, the benefits to eating meat and educating the public on why they should support British farmers.
You could share:
- Pictures and videos of animals looking happy with explanations of what they are doing
- Educational videos on why your animals are inside for winter; how you look after them in freezing conditions; what they eat each day
- Why British food is worth spending money on and how it can be affordable
- You could create your own posts along the lines of ‘No farmers =…’
Remember to keep all videos short and sweet – this will help to capture people's attention.
Download and share our infographics
3. Check your facts with our member toolkit
We've put together a toolkit for members to ensure the latest facts and figures on red meat and dairy are at your fingertips.
It's crucial that our members are equipped with facts and evidence to engage the public in honest, realistic and scientifically evidenced accounts of British agriculture.
With the help of our toolkit, you'll be able to communicate complex conversations around the environment, nutrition and animal welfare with confidence.
Survey into the public's eating habits
In Dec 2021, and January/February 2022 we conducted survey work, through YouGov, measuring people’s weekly consumption of meat and dairy.1
The results found that in December 2021, 96% of participants ate meat, or dairy, or eggs, rising to 97% by February 2022.
When asked to describe their usual diet in this same time period, there was only a 3% drop to 73% in the percentage of respondents identifying as Omnivores (those who eat meat, fish, other animal products and plants). This was accompanied by a 1% drop for vegans and vegetarians, and a 1% rise for flexitarians.2
In November 2022, we began our survey work again, which will follow through into this year and give us a refreshed insight into how the public's eating patterns continue to evolve. Initial results have shown that 5% of respondents are planning to take part in Veganuary (7% for youngest to 3% oldest age groups).
Media reports breaking down meat vs plants debate
With Veganuary upon us we are seeing more mentions in the media of journalists covering why they won’t be taking part this year:
Can we beat our 2 million record from 2022?
Our January 2022 campaign to get out the positive messages about British meat and dairy saw our social media content being viewed more than 2 million times!
Help us smash last year's target and get involved. Take a look at some of our posts for inspiration, and remember to keep using #BackBritishFarming on social media!
- Check out our popular 4 Reasons to Back British Farming in 2022.
- Share the health benefits of British red meat or why British cheese is good for the climate!
More from NFUonline:
References
1. The research was commissioned by the NFU and carried out by YouGov as part of its Ominbus service. Survey sample size was as follows:
| Reference month re: behaviour | Sample size | Fieldwork period |
|---|---|---|
| Dec-21 | 1690 | 12/13 Jan 2022 |
| Jan-22 | 1676 | 2/3 Feb 2022 |
| Feb-22 | 2422 | 1/2 Mar 2022 |
2. All figures quoted in the survey are % and have been rounded i.e. totals may be < or > 100%. Figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+).