The University of Reading has become the first university in the UK to pledge support to back British farming, as it holds its first event dedicated to it.
Agricultural students joined forces with the NFU and Red Tractor to organise the event on Thursday (30 November), where a red tractor took pride of place on campus providing students with information about where they can buy British food.
Students and staff pledged their support throughout the day by signing the Back British Farming Christmas Pledge Tree, as well as taking part in an ‘Insight into Agriculture’ panel discussion.
The university has pledged to try to increase the amount of British produce served on campus, as well as raising the profile of farming’s role in the UK across the student body and to the wider public.
NFU President Meurig Raymond said: “Holding a Back British Farming Day is a good way to focus on British food and its traceability and quality. Hopefully these students will leave today knowing where their food comes from and how they can find more British food.
“It’s really exciting to see students from the University of Reading investing in the future of farming and getting involved in our Back British Farming campaign. We have some excellent agricultural universities in the UK and hopefully more will follow suit.”
Sourcing British meat
University of Reading agriculture student Luke Cox said the university is "proud" to be the first education institution to pledge support for British farming.
“As the top university for agriculture in the UK, it is important for us to lead the way in supporting our local farmers,” Mr Cox explained.
“University of Reading has an exceptionally good policy on sourcing British meat, but students don’t really know about it.
“We’re hoping that we can engage students today to find out more about what they eat, where it comes from, and why it’s important to back UK-grown food.
“This event also offers a chance to inform students and members of the public about the hard work farmers do outside of food production, such as maintaining the countryside we admire so much.”
