I was proud today to wear my wheat-pin badge today in support of British farming at Back British Farming Day in Westminster. Farming is the bedrock of the UK’s largest manufacturing sector – food and drink – which contributes over £110 billion to the economy and employs 3.8 million people and plays a huge role in the economy of my constituency of Thirsk and Malton. So I was delighted to wear the Back British Farming pin badge today in support of a sector that is so valuable to the country. Our farmers play a unique role in securing a plentiful supply of fabulous British food, looking after our iconic countryside and sustaining a dynamic rural economy.
The decisions made in Parliament over the coming months are critical to the future of British food production. As one of the sectors that will be most affected by Britain’s departure from the EU, it is important that we, as politicians, create the right regulatory environment to ensure our farmers can continue to provide safe and affordable food for the nation. Food production is a vital part of everyday life and impacts on us all and everyone who works so hard in the agriculture sector has my full support.