On Back British Farming Day, veterinary MP Dr Neil Hudson celebrated the British farmers and growers who work through rain and shine to produce the delicious ingredients that underpin the UK’s largest manufacturing sector, food, and drink.
The day is an opportunity to champion all that British farmers and growers do for the nation – who has ranked the job farmers do as second only to nurses – including producing food for our three meals a day, caring for the countryside, delivering renewable energy, and providing jobs for rural communities.
Defra figures show farming is worth £272m to Essex’s economy and provides more than 5,000 jobs in the county.
Dr Neil Hudson MP for Epping Forest has been a long-time supporter of Back British Farming Day and the NFU, having attended previous NFU’s Back British Farming Day parliamentary receptions, visited farms and agricultural sites, and of course wearing the iconic wheatsheaf pin in the Chamber.
Throughout his parliamentary career, Dr Hudson has campaigned hard to support farmers across the country, both as an MP and in his role as an active member of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee in the last Parliament where he triggered Inquiries into the UK's Food Security, post-Brexit farm payments, land-based education, animal welfare and rural mental health.
Veterinary MP Dr Neil Hudson, said:
“Our farmers and growers in the UK do a fantastic job in providing the nation with high-quality, nutritious, sustainable food alongside being the guardians of our precious environment. I want to say a huge thank you to the amazing farmers and growers and everyone involved in food production in Epping Forest, Essex, and across the country for their continued hard work to deliver the UK’s food security and the key role that they play in the social fabric of our communities.”
“It was great to meet again with NFU President Tom Bradshaw and Regional Director for the East Region, Dr Zoe Leach. Food security is a key part of national security. I will continue to stand up for the dedicated farmers and growers in Essex and across the UK who do so much to feed the nation.”
“It is clear the British public value our farmers and growers, with results of a recent NFU survey showing 91% of respondents feel that farming is important to the UK economy. They are valuable contributors to our local and national economy, producing the raw ingredients for the food and drink sector which is worth £148 billion and employing more than 4 million people across the country.
