Britain’s farmers and growers are among the public’s most valued professionals, second only to nurses, a new survey commissioned by the NFU has shown.
The survey shows 74% of the public have a favourable view of farmers and growers. Some 91% of respondents feel that farming is important to the UK economy.
The survey will be published at the NFU’s first parliamentary reception since the general election, taking place on 18 July in the House of Lords.
NFU President Tom Bradshaw said: “We’re incredibly grateful to the public for their continued support of British farmers and growers. When we’re out in our fields, sheds and glasshouses we never take it for granted and it spurs us on to get the food onto their plates.
“The results of the survey show it is vital the new government recognises how much the public value our farmers and growers and the climate-friendly, nutritious food we provide. This will be a key focus at our reception with new MPs today.”
The new MPs and Peers will be told other results of the survey, including that 89% of the public feel it is important that Britain has a productive farming industry; 85% of people support increasing self-sufficiency in UK food production; and 87% of people think it is important that trade deals ensure animal welfare standards are the same in countries we import food from as in the UK.
Bradshaw continued: “As outlined in the Labour manifesto, food security is national security. To ensure we deliver on this shared mission and that the public continues to see a safe supply of food in the face of climate change and a volatile global outlook, confidence is key. But confidence of agriculture businesses is at an all time low.
“As the industry that underpins Britain’s largest manufacturing sector – food and drink – which is worth £146 billion to the economy, it’s imperative that policies from the new government revitalise the confidence of farm businesses. The number one priority to achieve this long-term confidence is for government to set a UK wide agricultural budget of £5.6 billion. It is not just ‘more money for farmers’ but an investment that means farmers and growers can do more of what the public value them for; delivering more climate friendly, high welfare food, delivering for the environment, increasing clean energy production and kickstarting economic growth.”