NFU President Minette Batters has said it is "vital" the government does not start "overhauling" parts of the current subsidy system.
Mrs Batters has reinforced British farming’s "unique role" in producing safe and traceable food and enhancing the countryside.
The comments follow today's (27 February) release of the Government's latest consultation on future farming policy.
It proposes £150m in support payments redirected from wealthy farmers and landowners to a new system of paying farmers "public money for public goods".
Mrs Batters says that "profitable, productive and resilient" farm businesses are key to delivering the public goods that Defra Secretary Michael Gove refers to.
The NFU President said: "Good quality, safe and traceable food is a public right and we believe it is a public good for generations to come.
"British farmers have world leading standards in food production, animal welfare and environmental stewardship and we are committed to delivering those standards now and in the future, in the face of unprecedented change for the industry.
"In order to keep delivering for Britain, farm businesses need to be productive, profitable and resilient to volatility. This must be at the forefront of Government policy if we are to have a farming sector that feeds us, cares for our countryside and delivers economic benefits."
'Overhauling'
Mrs Batters said it is "vital" that Defra doesn't start "overhauling" parts of the current system.
"British farms cannot compete with others countries' agricultural goods on the global market if we are disadvantaged," she said.
"It is vital that we don’t start overhauling parts of the current system which support farmers in providing a healthy and affordable supply of food, without tested and operational alternative programmes and measures in place. We will be consulting with our members as we pull together our response to this consultation in the coming weeks."
The NFU now plans to consult with its members in a series of regional meetings during the 10-week consultation period to put forward to Government a representative view of the consultation.
In reaction to today's consultation, rural organisation the CLA said wealthy farmers and landowners should not face "sudden and dramatic cuts" to pave way for a new support system post-Brexit.
