MPs including Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer were seen wearing sheaves of wheat on their jackets in the House of Commons on Wednesday, marking Back British Farming Day. The annual event, now in its eighth year, seeks to celebrate British farming and its contribution to the economy.
Organised by the National Farmers’ Union of England and Wales (NFU), the day aims to highlight the importance of homegrown food production. The NFU asked MPs to show their support by wearing a wool and wheat sheaf pin badge or a sheaf of wheat in the chamber.
The union hosted a breakfast reception for MPs to share the results of a recent survey, which found that 87 per cent of respondents support increasing self-sufficiency in UK food production. NFU president Minette Batters said: “This is a clear message that the public backs our calls for Government to prioritise homegrown food production and legislate to ensure the UK’s self-sufficiency does not drop below its current level of 60 per cent.”
Food and Farming Secretary Thérèse Coffey announced a package of measures to help people “buy British”, including industry-led action to signpost customers to British produce when shopping online and campaigns to endorse the quality of homegrown meat and dairy. Ms Coffey said: “This Government will always back British farmers who produce some of the highest quality food in the world.”
