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Back British Farming Day: MPs share messages of support

Philip Case 09 September 2020
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© Twitter / BBC© Twitter / BBC

Dozens of MPs and others have posted photos and messages of support for farmers to mark the NFU’s Back British Farming Day.

Prime minister Boris Johnson and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer were among those who wore a wool and wheatsheaf pin badge during prime minister’s questions (PMQs) as a sign of solidarity for farmers.

NFU leader Minette Batters used the day to push for parliament to be given a final say on trade deals, which threaten to undercut British farmers and the high welfare and environmental standards of UK agriculture.

See also: Parliament must get vote on future trade deals, insists NFU

“It is very clear to me that the people of this country have drawn a line in the sand. They do not expect to see food imports that do not meet the high standards to which we produce to here,” tweeted Mrs Batters.

Food standards petition

More than one million people have signed a petition urging the government not to undermine British farmers by allowing low-quality food imports into the country through trade deals with the US and others.

“This autumn will be a critical time for British food and farming, as the Agriculture Bill returns to the House of Commons to be passed into law and trade negotiations continue with countries across the world,” the NFU said.

“There has never been a more important time to highlight the crucial role farmers play in feeding the nation and caring for the countryside.”

https://twitter.com/DrNeilHudson/status/1303612019988455426

MPs were not the only people to get behind the messaging of #BackBritishFarming day.

Celebrity chef Raymond Blanc posted a photo on his Twitter account of himself wearing a wool and wheatsheaf pin badge.

He tweeted: “I’m very proud to wear the wheat-pin badge to support and celebrate British farmers, local produce, and beautiful British ingredients we are so truly lucky to enjoy. Let’s support our British farms.”

FW support

Farmers Weekly staff members also got in on the act with their own special tributes to farmers.

Brandishing his wheatsheaf, editor Karl Schneider said: “In an increasingly uncertain world, it’s never been more important to #BackBritishFarming – not just today, but every day.

FW executive editor Philip Clarke celebrated Back British Farming Day by tweeting a photo alongside Gunter, The Feathered Forager (ex-Poultry World, now retired).

And FW news editor Philip Case uploaded a video on his Twitter account sinking a pint of milk to say thank you to dairy farmers for working hard to supply milk and other dairy products to feed the nation during the coronavirus pandemic.

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