Society’s chief hopes support for British food will go on

THE CHIEF executive of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society has spoken of his hope that support for British food and farming will continue as the nation’s economy is rebuilt in the wake of coronavirus.

A survey has shown that backing for the sector has reached a “record high” as a result of farmers’ efforts throughout the pandemic. The Farmer Favourability Survey showed 75 per cent of people voiced a positive view of UK farming, the highest figure since the annual poll began in 2012.

The YAS’s chief executive, Nigel Pulling, said he hoped the lockdown had encouraged a greater appreciation of just how fortunate the nation is to have access to quality and affordable food.

At the beginning of March, farmers were named as key workers and with a shortage of produce on supermarket shelves in the lockdown, more and more people started to look closer to home for their food essentials.

The YAS launched its Farm To Fork campaign to highlight the work being done by the farming community to fulfil demand for produce.

“Increasing the appreciation and understanding of where our food comes from and how it is produced is what drives our work as a charity,” Mr Pulling said.

“And in the absence of our usual events programme, we have taken our message online and our Farm To Fork campaign has told the stories of 45 farmers and farm retailers via social media.

“We hope this campaign has encouraged people to use their local farm shops and keep going back as coronavirus restrictions have eased.”

Mr Pulling also highlighted this summer’s online edition of the Great Yorkshire Show, which attracted visitors from more than 40 countries. The three- day event in July took viewers on farm tours, behind the scenes with producers and showcased livestock through the farmers who would have been in the showring.

Mr Pulling said: “British farming produces food to some of the highest standards in the world and has an exciting future if it is valued and supported. We will continue to do everything we can to encourage this.”