This Back British Farming Day, Derek Thomas MP is demonstrating his support for British farmers and growers and celebrating the high-quality, environmentally friendly and nutritious food they produce for the country.
The day is also a celebration and appreciation of a job ranked by the British public as one of the most important and well-respected professions, second only to nursing.
To mark the occasion, Derek Thomas MP wore the emblem of Back British Farming Day during Prime Minister’s Questions; a wheatsheaf pin badge made of wool and wheat sourced from UK farms.
Derek Thomas MP said: “I’m proud to wear the wheatsheaf pin badge on Back British Farming Day to show my support for the farmers and growers in West Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly who do a fantastic job in providing the nation with high-quality and climate-friendly food, all while caring for our much-loved countryside.
“As a food-loving nation, the work our farmers do is not only a vital part of the country’s social fabric, but also a valuable contributor to our local and national economies, with food and farming worth more than £127 billion to the national bank and employing more than 4 million people nationwide.
“The British people clearly value our farmers too, as a new NFU survey reveals that the public rank farming as one of the most favourable occupations, second only to nursing.
“The same survey showed that 88% of respondents thought it is important to maintain or increase the UK’s food self-sufficiency, which currently stands at 60%. This underscores the importance of having food production targets, just as we do for the environment, as we strive to build our nation’s food security."
“Amidst a changing and often challenging landscape, Britain’s farmers have continued to persevere and provide the food for your tables. This is why I fully support the Back British Farming campaign and will continue to seek a future where British food and farming can thrive.”
