We galvanised support from farmers with many using the day to post selfie videos, change their Facebook and Twitter pictures with a special frame and use - which resulted in the hashtag trending at number five in the UK.
A big thank you from us to all NFU members who got involved.
The top tweet was from celebrity chef Raymond Blanc:
Today is Day .i'm very proud to wear the wheat-pin badge to support and celebrate British farmers , local produce, and beautiful British ingredients we are so truly lucky to enjoy .Let's support our British farms
— Raymond Blanc (@raymond_blanc)
What Back British Farming Day achieved...
150 English and Welsh MPs showed their support on social media. MPs in Scotland and Northern Ireland also got involved.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson along with Labour Leader Kier Starmer and many more MPs wore their wheat pin badges in PMQs in the House of Commons, read more.
Five chefs got involved with the campaign posting videos, including Raymond Blanc (who was retweeted by Jamie Oliver), Brian Turner, Cyrus Todiwala and John Williams (Executive Chef at The Ritz).
Members from across the country also posted videos.
Over 1,300 Back British Farming supporters tweeted their support.
Where were we in the news? Here's the latest round-up.
♦ Watch now: NFU President Minette Batters thanks the public for their support
♦ Watch now: Prime Minister Boris Johnson shows support for British food and farming during PMQs
♦ Click here for Back British Farming Day highlights
What are the NFU’s asks?
皇家华人wants Parliament to be provided with independent advice about the impact every trade deal will have on our food and farming standards before it decides whether to accept or reject those trade deals.
An amendment to the Agriculture Bill, put forward by Lord Curry in the House of Lords, would give this duty to the new Trade and Agriculture Commission, which was set up by the government in July.
The amendment will be debated by the House of Lords on Tuesday 22 September. 皇家华人is urging Peers to vote in its favour.
We'll have more on this on 皇家华人 as the amendment is discussed. You can (part of the agenda which begins at 12noon).
NFU President Minette Batters said: “While the government has consistently said it has no intention of allowing the UK’s high standards of production to be undermined in future trade deals, there has been little detail about how it will back up this commitment. We need a clear commitment from Defra that it will set up a Trade, Food & Farming Standards Commission as quickly as possible to provide certainty for both farmers and the British public that our values of food production will be respected post-Brexit.” (2 September 2020).
Read more: NFU calls for trade and standards commission to uphold food values post-Brexit
NFU President Minette Batters said:
“We are at a pivotal time for the future of farming and the food on our plates. Nothing will determine this more than how the government shapes trade deals with countries around the world.
“There is no doubt that the countries we are currently negotiating with are demanding access to our prized market for their agriculture products and, right now, a trade agreement could be signed with little parliamentary scrutiny. This could result in a massive increase in the amount of food being imported that is produced in ways that would be illegal in this country."
“Politicians have time and again stated that they will not allow this to happen. There is now a clear solution on the table that will allow Parliament to be kept fully informed of the impacts any trade deal will have on the food we all consume. Time is running out. Action has to be taken now, or all the warm words will be for nothing.
“Today is Back British Farming Day and we want to celebrate why the British public have complete trust in British food and the farmers that produce it. Our farm to fork approach to traceability, how we look after our animals and our environment, and how we lead the world in reducing antibiotic usage are all the envy of the world and yet they are in jeopardy if they are undermined by future trade deals."
“I would urge all politicians to use today to think about these values, and what we have to lose. I would ask them to set British farming as the global standard in sustainable, climate-friendly food production, not undermine it in the pursuit of free trade. I would urge peers in the House of Lords to vote for this amendment next week, to amend the Trade Bill to increase Parliamentary scrutiny of trade deals and take a great step towards providing the proper parliamentary oversight of our future trade policy.”
Below: NFU President Minette Batters takes the opportunity to thank the public for their support with food standards and explains why we're at a pivotal moment and continue to need their help.
Back British Farming Day 2020: Highlights
Our officeholders on Twitter:
"It is very clear to me that the people of this country have drawn a line in the sand. They do not expect to see food imports that do not meet the high standards to which we produce to here." ??????????????
— National Farmers' Union (@NFUtweets)
On Back British Farming Day I ask and everyone else to join me in supporting farmers who are proud to maintain and enhance landscapes, promote biodiversity and focus on delivering the most climate friendly food in the world
— Stuart Roberts (@HertsFarmer)
Farming and food production is the foundation of our rural communities; providing the raw ingredients for the UK’s largest manufacturing sector - the £120bn food and drink sector. I’m proud to be part of such a great industry on day
— Tom Bradshaw (@ProagriLtd)
Prime Minister's Questions:
Many MPs have show their support for Back British Farming Day by wearing their wheat pin badges.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: "I am thrilled to support Back British Farming Day and it thanks to them (farmers) that we have fantastic food on our plates every day". Watch again:
Sir Kier Starmer, Leader of the Labour Party:
This afternoon, NFU President met with leader and Shadow Defra SoS . We are delighted to have the opportunity on day to explain why we are at such a pivotal time for food and farming in this country ????????
— National Farmers' Union (@NFUtweets)
??Today at Prime Minister’s Questions ?? I spoke in support of our agricultural industry for Day??.
— Alan Mak MP ???? (@AlanMakMP)
Northney Farm ??, Stoke Fruit Farm??and others in our Constituency make a huge contribution to our national prosperity & security ????
Iain Stewart MP (Milton Keynes South):
Our members on Twitter:
— Richard Bramley (@SustEnvFarming)
British Farming is the bedrock of Our Country,
Our Landscape, Our Environment, Our Food and so much more
— Hannah Jackson (@redshepherdess)
Tried to cramp as many facts into a 15 second Instagram reel as possible....
Today is .
— James Robinson (@JRfromStrickley)
Thank you for your continued support for all that we do
Enjoy the British countryside, buy British food & support our farmers who maintain & enhance the environment, whilst producing food to the highest standards in the world
Today is day ??
— Joe Stanley ???? (@JoeWStanley)
If you care about the of the you eat, then ???? agriculture has never needed your support more...
?? ????
Today It’s please back British farming by looking for the red tractor on the food you buy
— Olly harrison ??????#soilsaver (@agricontract)
RT for support
Lincolnshire farmer is safe and affordable food and drink for people up and down the nation. Keep up the good work Charles ??
— National Farmers' Union (@NFUtweets)
On , trying to stay positive despite the elements having been against us this year. Without consumers that support us through thick and thin, we don’t have a farming business
— John Charles-Jones (@woodboroughpark)
MPs on Twitter:
On I pledge to carry on standing up for our farmers, by fighting to protect our world-class standards in trade deals and pressing the Government to financially support farmers for the work they do feeding us and maintaining our country’s awesome landscape.
— Tim Farron (@timfarron)
Pleased to support Day with . Agriculture is key to East Hampshire as it is to Britain - for jobs, food security, and managing our beautiful countryside.
— Damian Hinds (@DamianHinds)
We're delighted to see ministers, , Lord Gardiner and proudly wearing their wheatsheaf pin badge on day! ????????????
— National Farmers' Union (@NFUtweets)
Order! ORDER! Speaker of the House of Commons and Deputy Speaker are both showing their support for day ????????
— National Farmers' Union (@NFUtweets)
Tune into in 5 mins and see how many MPs you can spot wearing the iconic wheat-pin badge ????
With local farmers Mr and Mrs Ball
— Harriett Baldwin MP #SociallyDistant (@hbaldwin)
Today is day, where we celebrate the incredible work of our farming community in managing our countryside, protecting our environment and precious habitats and keeping our food supply going.
— Anne-Marie Trevelyan #HandsFaceSpace (@annietrev)
Thank you to all our farmers for your dedication and hard work.
Rutland and Melton has arable, dairy, and every type of livestock including bison farmers working hard to feed our nation and protect our environment. Thank you for all you do!
— Alicia Kearns MP for Rutland and Melton (@aliciakearns)
Today is Back British Farming Day - a cause I heartily support. We need our farms - not only for food but to preserve our environment.
— Michael Fabricant ???? (@Mike_Fabricant)
British Farmers are the backbone of our country. They fill our plates, manage the land & have kept us fed during the Coronavirus crisis.
— Dehenna Davison MP (@DehennaDavison)
Agriculture is at the heart of our trade negotiations & I am pleased to support and celebrate our farmers today!????
Having been part of the original team which set up day at , it is a privilege to now support it as an MP!
— Fay Jones MP (@JonesyFay)
Further support on Twitter:
We have been supporting as we know the importance our members place on being able to use quality British produce on menu's. Join the campaign by using and explain why quality British ingredients matters to you, your restaurant and your customers.
— Royal Academy of Culinary Arts (@AcadCulArts)
Today is . This year we've all been reminded how important farmers are to the nation. British farmers work to the highest standards and ensure we have food on our tables for our families. Thank you to all the hard working farmers keeping the country running.
— The Farming Community Network (@FCNcharity)
We are proud to support today ??
— Farm Safety Foundation (@yellowwelliesuk)
Our farmers work so hard and many long hours to put food on our plates. They really are amazing, so that is why we continue to do what we do - because ? ??
It’s very important to get behind British farmers the closer we work the better we get! Think about what you buy and where it comes from !!
— John Williams (@jwilliamschef)
More from 皇家华人:
- Show your support for Back British Farming Day by adding our frame to your profile picture on Twitter and Facebook
- Download our Back British Farming Day report: British Farming: Setting the standard
- NFU calls for change in law to help tackle rural crime
- Watch now: Your weekly video update from the President
