Numerous farming organisations will be taking a 'Back British Farming' message into the heart of the City of London to encourage more people to think about where their food comes from.
The 801st Lord Mayor’s Show - one of the oldest and most popular historic civic pageants in the world – takes place this Saturday November 12, and will see a collection of farming organisations, under the banner of the Worshipful Company of Farmers, to promote all aspects of food and farming and encourage excellence within the industry.
The parade will be the culmination of the farming industry’s push to Celebrate Great British Food which during 2016 has included Back British Farming Day, Red Tractor Week and British Food Fortnight.
This year’s entry, that also celebrates international year of pulses, will see 12 young farmers accompany a PMC pea harvester, supplied by the Green Pea Company, and a Massey Ferguson red tractor, both branded to reflect the Back British Farming messages, in front of hundreds of thousands of spectators with millions watching live on the BBC.
The historic three mile long procession through the streets of the City of London includes most of the 110 livery companies along with more than 7,000 participants, 200 horses, 20 marching bands, dancers, performers, armed forces and Modern Livery Companies.
'A great story to tell'
National Farmers Union President Meurig Raymond said: “It’s wonderful to be supporting the Worshipful Company of Farmers in the Lord Mayor’s Show for the third year in a row.
“We have a great story to tell so the parade is the perfect platform to celebrate and promote British farming – an industry strategically important to our country – one that grows and produces the raw ingredients for the UK’s largest manufacturing industry - food and drink - worth £108 billion to the UK economy. It also provides jobs for nearly four million people.
“I know Saturday will be the culmination of months of hard work and a huge team effort from all sides and I wish everyone the best of luck.”
Philip Wynn, Master of the Worshipful Company of Farmers, said: “Despite farming being an ancient industry, the Worshipful Company of Farmers is among the modern companies, having been established in 1952. A prime part of our role is to raise the profile of food and farming among other livery companies and the City of London in general.
“Thanks to industry support we will have a strong presence in the parade this year that is bound to attract interest and highlight the importance of the food and farming industry across the UK.”
