MINETTE BATTERS: Rishi Sunak MUST support the heroic farmers

Rishi Sunak MUST support the heroic farmers who put food on Britain’s plates three times a day, writes NFU president MINETTE BATTERS

A few months ago, on a farm near Liverpool, Olly Harrison was collecting provisions donated by local people to send to Ukrainian refugees.

Over in Devon, Andrew and Alison Musson were welcoming their 90th foster child into their home, having for years offered a safe place to some of the county’s most vulnerable women and children.

And on their farm in Warwickshire, Andy and Lynda Eadon had raised more than £80,000 for rural mental health charities, having suffered the tragic loss of their son some years earlier. People understandably associate farmers with the food they produce – and, in Britain, with high standards of animal welfare, environment and food safety.

Back in the summer, Rishi Sunak recognised the importance of home-grown food production and protecting farming businesses, and committed to monitor and boost domestic food security

But many farmers also go above and beyond to help others here and abroad. That’s what we at the National Farmers’ Union are celebrating today – on Back British Farming Day.

In times of hardship, small acts of kindness and community spirit can make a huge difference.

People understandably associate farmers with the food they produce – and, in Britain, with high standards of animal welfare, environment and food safety

And no matter where you live, a farmer driving a combine or herding sheep is playing both an integral and unseen role in building that very spirit. This goes way beyond food production.

Today, we celebrate not only the fantastic food grown in Britain, but the role of our community heroes and all they deliver for the nation.

As someone who lives and grew up in rural Wiltshire, I’ve spent my life watching farmers benefit my local area in countless ways.

Every year they can be spotted clearing village roads of snow or working with the emergency services to extinguish field fires – more than ever last summer because of the prolonged drought.

You might even live in a town that is protected from flooding by a farmer, often at a cost to their own business. And you’d never even know it.

I know farmers across the country who have given their time and land to education, welcoming thousands of schoolchildren every year.

Today, we celebrate not only the fantastic food grown in Britain, but the role of our community heroes and all they deliver for the nation (Pictured: Pig farmer, James Stamper)

Or farmers who have boosted the health and wellbeing of their communities by encouraging their neighbours to enjoy and explore our beautiful countryside.

As part of the NFU’s Community Farming Hero awards, this year over 100 MPs have nominated a farming constituent for going above and beyond for their community. Every person nominated has contributed to their county in ways that can never be fully acknowledged.

They are the people many of us rely on every day without even realising, especially in times of crisis. And today we will be celebrating eight of those heroes in Westminster, among them the wonderful farmers I mentioned earlier.

These Community Farming Heroes will be joined by their MPs to celebrate British food and how a thriving farming sector can contribute so much to national life.

Today, we celebrate not only the fantastic food grown in Britain, but the role of our community heroes and all they deliver for the nation 

In the current economic turmoil, the Prime Minister’s priority is to establish financial stability. Domestic farming must be a key part of this. Back in the summer, Rishi Sunak recognised the importance of home-grown food production and protecting farming businesses, and committed to monitor and boost domestic food security. This needs to remain his priority.

We all deserve access to high-welfare, sustainable, affordable food, and we all gain so much from the contributions of farm businesses that are the backbone of our rural communities, providing 4million jobs and contributing more than £120billion to the national bank.

Our sector faces many challenges, from high inflation to a shortage of workers. Many poultry farmers are also desperately trying to deal with the onslaught of bird flu.

But on Back British Farming Day, I want to be optimistic about our future – and yours. I have the honour of representing 55,000 farmers and growers across Britain. And it’s clear to me that a government that backs British farming will help to unleash the country’s potential, and provide solutions to many economic, social and health issues that our nation faces.

Today is a day to come together to show our support for British farmers and growers. MPs can wear our iconic wheatsheaf pin-badge with pride, and the public might spend a few moments on social media paying tribute to the people we all rely on to fill our plates three times a day – who go above and beyond to make this country and all our communities a much richer place.

÷ Minette Batters is president of the National Farmers’ Union

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