Back British Farming Day took place on Wednesday 13 September and gave Sir David the opportunity to highlight the importance of farmers in the UK. The Southend West MP wore a wheat pin badge in support of the event organised by the National Farmers Union.

The NFU stressed that farming contributes £109 billion to the national economy and employs around 3.8 million people nationally. As a result, it’s the UK’s largest manufacturing sector, bigger than the automotive and aeronautical sectors combined.

The campaign has been timed to put pressure on the Government to ensure that the process of leaving the EU maintains the highest level of certainty and stability for British farm businesses.

Sir David was keen to reiterate the significance of farming in his own constituency;

“Farming makes a considerable contribution in Southend West. It leads to the employment of 801 people and provides an economic value of £24.3 million to the area. It has supported a number of businesses including feed merchants, veterinary services, and hauliers as well as accountants, machinery merchants and fuel and energy suppliers.”

To find out more about the NFU’s campaign, please follow this link https://www.nfuonline.com/back-british-farming/