The National Farmer's Union (NFU) has unveiled a new campaign at the Great Yorkshire Show aimed at promoting the strength of the agri-food sector.
'Pride & Provenance', an ambitious campaign promoting the value of British food, is already supported by 57 companies from across the Yorkshire and North East region.
Collectively these companies generate more than £2.5 billion in turnover and employ 23,000 people.
The campaign will act as an umbrella for lobbying and promotional activity over the next two years, bringing farmers and other members of the supply chain together to work with MPs and talk about local food production with members of the public.
Speaking at the launch, NFU Deputy President Minette Batters said: “We are talking about a hugely important sector for Yorkshire, and I know that locally there is the drive and enthusiasm to do even more.
“Delivering some of the highest quality food in the world, local food producers should be our suppliers of choice, but to achieve that we need to shout even more about what we do. I’m delighted to see this collaborative approach being embraced in Yorkshire.”
'More important than ever'
NFU Regional Director Adam Bedford said: “At a time of economic and political uncertainty, it is more important than ever to highlight the intertwined nature of the agri-food chain and its social, economic and environmental value.
“It is time for everyone in the chain to work together to make sure MPs understand how important our industry is, what we already contribute and how much more we could do if we get the Brexit process right.
“Pride & Provenance is designed to help us achieve that and we have been delighted with the response we’ve had. We already have support from companies across Yorkshire, including farm businesses, food and fuel processors and manufacturers, brewers, machinery dealers, agricultural societies and agricultural colleges.”
