This Saturday, the farming industry will take its place in the annual Lord Mayor鈥檚 Show鹿 to say a huge thank you to the British public for their overwhelming support. British farming is ranked as one of the most important and well-respected professions虏, second only to nursing, with听91% believing farming is important to the UK economy.
The听Worshipful Company of Farmers鲁, one of the modern-day livery companies, will be supported in the historic procession by the NFU, Massey Ferguson, Red Tractor and Surrey Docks City Farm, showcasing to the hundreds of thousands of spectators and live BBC television audience, the importance of farmers and growers producing sustainable, climate-friendly food alongside maintaining and improving the iconic great British countryside.
Taking centre stage will be an impressive MF 7370 Beta听combine听harvester听supplied by Massey Ferguson, together with the award-wining MF 8S series听tractor. Walking alongside will be the NFU鈥檚 group of Student and Young Farmer Ambassadors鈦�, Red Tractor representatives and youngsters from Surrey Docks City Farm.
Master of the Worshipful Company of Farmers Richard Crane said:听鈥淭he Worshipful Company of Farmers is once again delighted to support the Lord Mayors Show and bring together representatives from the agricultural world, especially all the volunteers, ambassadors and supporters from Surrey Docks Farm, NFU and Red Tractor. Our machinery sponsor this year is Massey Ferguson, which has supplied the huge combine and tractor for the show, to whom we are听all听very grateful. I hope everyone has a very successful day.鈥�
NFU Deputy President David Exwood said:听鈥淚 am thrilled to have the opportunity to take part in the Lord Mayor鈥檚 Show, bring farming into the heart of the City of London and support the amazing work of the Worshipful Company of Farmers 鈥� an organisation that provides inspirational leadership and training for anyone engaged in the agriculture industry. The Company鈥檚 involvement in this historic procession with all the various stakeholders is a wonderful example of how they brilliantly showcase the work of Britain鈥檚 farmers and growers.
鈥淣ever has this been more important. Farming is facing unprecedented challenges; decades of tightening margins, record inflation, extreme weather and increased production costs, and now the threat to family farms from changes announced in the Budget to Agriculture Property Relief and Business Property Relief. Coupled with changes to the National Living Wage and National Insurance, these hard-working people could be pushed out of business, with potentially devastating impacts on our ability to produce food and remain custodians of the countryside.
鈥淭he public support we have received has been amazing, with more than 165,000 people signing our campaign to overturn this family farm tax. Saturday鈥檚 parade is our chance to say directly to the public a heartfelt thank you for backing British farming.鈥�
Lindsay Haddon, Massey Ferguson Advertising and Sales Promotion Manager, said:听鈥淎s in previous years, we are delighted and honoured to be part of this spectacular event.听 Massey Ferguson is proud to support these farming organisations and to be a part of the Ambassadors鈥� journey promoting British food and farming.鈥澨�
Jim Moseley, CEO, Red Tractor, said:听鈥淎t Red Tractor, we are proud to partner with farmers who produce food that is safe, traceable, and farmed with care. Participating in the Lord Mayor's Show is a wonderful opportunity to honour the hard work and dedication of farmers in providing high-quality food for the nation. This event allows us to share our story in the heart of the city. Together with the Worshipful Company of Farmers, the NFU, and Surrey Docks City Farm, we鈥檙e excited to celebrate the best of British farming."
Surrey Docks City Farm Manager Gemma Hooper said:听鈥淲e are thrilled to have been invited to take part in the Lord Mayor's Show, thanks to our long-standing relationship with the Worshipful Company of Farmers. Members of our Youth Committee aged eight up to 25 will be in the parade to proudly represent British farming and raise the profile of London's city farms.鈥�
听
Look out for the Worshipful Company of Farmers entry, serial number 87 in the procession, during the live BBC1 coverage听of the Lord Mayor鈥檚 Show from 10.45am on Saturday 9 November.
听
More information
- The is one of the best-known annual events in London as well as one of the longest-established, dating back to the 13th century. The three-mile-long procession includes 7,000 people, 250 horses, armed forces, charity and community groups, military bands and 133 floats.
- 2,000 adults in England and Wales responded to a OnePoll online听survey听for the NFU between听3-9 May 2024. Of 10 occupations, farmers ranked 2nd听in听favourability听behind nursing听with听74% of respondents having a favourable view of farmers and growers.
- The entry is supported by the NFU, , , and .
- Meet the 2024 NFU Student and Young Farmer Ambassadors here.
- Images will be available after the event. Contact Mike in the NFU press office.