The 'Back British Farming' message was delivered to both the Labour and Conservative party conferences in a bit to highlight the role farmers play.
It comes at a crucial time for the sector as the Agriculture Bill begins its passage through Parliament.
The NFU attended both the Labour and Conservative conferences to highlight the role of farmers as food producers and custodians of the countryside.
Delegates were invited to sample the British food and drink, and experienced harvest in a virtual reality experience in a Massey Ferguson red tractor.
Our engagement map is filling up! If you’re at #CPC18 then come and add a #BackBritishFarming flag to represent your region ???? pic.twitter.com/JCxqTtncdn
— National Farmers Union (@NFUtweets) October 2, 2018
Farming makes a huge contribution to Somerset so it was great to see @Jacob_Rees_Mogg supporting our stand this morning #backbritishfarming #CPC18 @Minette_Batters @HertsFarmer pic.twitter.com/ftOH0UPpCY
— NFU Political (@NFUPolitical) October 1, 2018
It was great to see @DefraGovUK Secretary of State @michaelgove on our stand this morning, discussing SAWS, dry weather and the importance of food & the environment #CPC18 #BackBritishFarming pic.twitter.com/dIYTALKQuG
— NFU Political (@NFUPolitical) October 1, 2018
The stand has already been visited by the Prime Minister Theresa May, the Home Secretary Sajid Javid, Defra Secretary Michael Gove, Business Secretary Greg Clark and Jacob Rees Mogg.
The Back British Farming message was also present at the Labour Party Conference last week, where over 550 delegates and politicians pledged their support for the campaign.
The stand at the Labour Conference was voted Delegate’s Choice for best stand and was visited by 32 Labour Party MPs, including Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell, Shadow Trade Secretary Barry Gardiner, Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott and veteran MP Dennis Skinner.
Our #BackBritishFarming pledge tree is filling up with lots of conference delegates pledging their support for British food and farming here at #Lab18 pic.twitter.com/Ivm1Fenpuu
— National Farmers Union (@NFUtweets) September 24, 2018
Very nice to meet Dennis Skinner on our stand at #Lab18 today #BackBritishFarming pic.twitter.com/rrHEzCvscI
— NFU Political (@NFUPolitical) September 24, 2018
Great to see @HackneyAbbott pledging her support to #backbritishfarming at #Lab18 pic.twitter.com/RlAuIfyk2f
— NFU Political (@NFUPolitical) September 23, 2018
NFU President, Minette Batters said: “It has never been more important to celebrate British food and farming and party conferences offer a unique opportunity to highlight the importance of our industry to decision-makers in Government.
“We are entering a significant period for our industry and it is crucial that the strategic importance of British farming, the bedrock of the UK’s largest manufacturing sector, is recognised by the Government when devising a future domestic agricultural policy.
She added: “I was delighted to see so many MPs support British farming on Back British Farming day recently and I hope to see that support continue as we move through Brexit negotiations and beyond.”
