The NFU has published the findings from a survey highlighting the British public’s support for farming to mark Back British Farming Day.
The NFU’s latest Farmer Favourability Survey showed the British public ranked farming as the second most respected profession in the UK for the third year running, behind only the country’s nurses.
The survey also found:
- 92% people feel it’s important Britain has a productive farming sector.
- 89% say British farms should grow as much food as possible to support national food security.
- Over half of respondents believe farmers are underappreciated for the role they play in society.
- More than three-quarters of respondents trust British food more than food from the rest of the world.
As the NFU takes Back British Farming Day once again to Westminster, it is calling on government to recognise and reflect on this continued public support with policies that truly value domestic food production and farming’s environmental delivery. With new Ministers in Defra, the NFU believes there is an opportunity to make farming’s case strongly to a new top team.
NFU President Tom Bradshaw said: “Back British Farming Day is about recognising the value of our farmers – not just for the food they produce, but for the role they play in our communities, our economy and our environment. And clearly, the public is behind us.”
But while the public support is hugely appreciated, he said many farmers and growers face growing challenges. The average farm carries significant debts just to stay afloat, while nearly half of all farm businesses are tenanted and do not own their most valuable asset – the land they farm. With the average age of a farmer now 60-years-old, long-term investment and succession planning is becoming increasingly more difficult.
Farmers continue to invest billions in the wider economy, support rural tourism and diversify their businesses to stay resilient. But to secure the future of British farming, the NFU is calling for urgent action to improve farm profitability, protect domestic food production and ensure fair standards in trade.
Mr Bradshaw added: “Our farmers and growers are proud to produce the food that feeds the nation, while delivering for nature, rural communities and the wider economy. But they need confidence to invest for the future.
“Key to the long-term future of our farms is improving the profitability of sustainable food production. One simple thing the government can do is the right thing on inheritance tax to avoid bereaved farming families having to fork out for an unaffordable tax bill – something we know the public stands behind.”
RSPCA Assured survey
RSPCA Assured has also published survey findings to mark Back British Farming Day. It revealed that 62% of UK shoppers would spend more and buy British higher-welfare labelled products – such as free-range, organic and RSPCA Assured – rather than settle for cheaper alternatives.
The YouGov poll also found that more than a third (38%) of people would go elsewhere if their usual shop didn’t have higher-welfare labelled British food options available.
Charlotte Thomas, Regional Assessment Manager at RSPCA Assured, said: “Every time you choose a product with a higher-welfare label, you help ensure farmed animals live better lives.
“With this one simple choice, you’re saying no to cages, no to fast-growing chickens, no to inadequate enrichment and bedding, no to routine antibiotic usage and more. You’re also protecting those British farmers who adhere to higher-welfare standards from unfair competition from cheaper, lower‑welfare imports.”