‘Farmers among most valued UK professions’
BRITAIN’S farmers and growers have been named as one of the public’s most favoured and valued professions, second only to nurses, a new survey has revealed.
Commissioned by the National Farmers’ Union (NFU), 74% said they have a favourable view of the nation’s food producers, recognising how hard they work through rain and shine.
Meanwhile, 91% of respondents felt that farming was important to the UK economy, demonstrating the key role agriculture businesses play in kickstarting growth for Labour’s new missionled Government.
The survey was published at the NFU’s first parliamentary reception since the General Election.
Tom Bradshaw, president of the NFU, 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.”
Surveying 2,000 adults in England and Wales, the poll also found that 89% of the public felt it was important that Britain has a productive farming industry, while 87% said it was important that trade deals ensure animal welfare standards are the same in countries we import food from as in the UK. Some 85% said they supported increasing selfsufficiency in food production.
Mr Bradshaw added: “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.”