Our work behind the scenes ensures the voices of farmers and growers are heard loud and clear by the public, politicians and key decision-makers.
Catch up on where you, our members, have featured in the news, where we've been, what we've said and how the media is helping push farming up the agenda.
You can also keep up to date with all of our activity by following us on X (formerly Twitter) .听
Quote of the week
"I look forward to working closely with her in the months ahead and hope she uses the role to champion farming, ensure its high production standards are valued and invest in its future with policies that back British farming and deliver for food security."
NFU President Tom Bradshaw on the new Secretary of State Emma Reynolds MP
#BackBritishFarmingDay
NFU President Tom Bradshaw kicked off the proceedings today with appearances on BBC Radio 4's (9:18),听 (2:28:06) and with Matt Chorley (1:39:29), highlighting the results from our latest public perception survey 鈥� that farmers have once again been recognised as the UK鈥檚 second-most valued profession. He also reflected on his meeting with Defra Secretary of State Emma Reynolds and what her appointment means for our lobbying efforts.
The national and regional press teams have been working hard behind the scenes to secure coverage across a wide variety of national and regional news outlets. Keep an eye on this page tomorrow for a round-up of the day鈥檚 media highlights or follow on X (formerly Twitter).
A number of opinion pieces have also landed across major regional outlets in key Labour constituencies, including but not limited to:
- East Sussex Chair Martin Hole in the
- Cambridgeshire farmer Luke Abblitt in Cambridge News
- Lincolnshire Chair Mark Meadows in the Louth Leader
- West Riding County Chair Richard Pears in the
There were also over 100 Back British Farming Day shoutouts across national and regional print, TV and radio, including a wheatsheaf pin badge explainer in the听 and many features across local lunchtime news programmes.
NFU President Tom Bradshaw talks Back British Farming Day on Farming Today
NFU President Tom Bradshaw on the Defra Secretary of State on Talk TV
On the political agenda
Following last week's government reshuffle, you can read NFU President Tom Bradshaw鈥檚 response to the appointment of Defra Secretary of State Emma Reynolds MP in and .
As the political party conference season gets underway, the NFU's presence at Reform UK's conference was noted across national outlets including the , , and . You can read more about the NFU鈥檚 presence at the upcoming Liberal Democrat, Conservative and Labour conferences at: Party political conferences 鈥� we鈥檙e making the case for British farming
Finally, Politico鈥檚 鈥� a must read for Westminster insiders 鈥� gave a nod to the NFU External Affairs team鈥檚 annual pub quiz for MPs parliamentary staffers, hosted ahead of Back British Farming Day.
In other news...
Tom Bradshaw joined BBC Radio 4鈥檚 Farming Today to discuss the most recent update to Sir Charles Godfray鈥檚 bTB Strategy, stressing the importance of science and evidence, investment, and using every available tool to tackle the disease.
Tom was also quoted in the warning that farm businesses could become 鈥渃ollateral damage鈥� due to the family farm tax, alongside Suffolk member Russell Ling, and also in calling for a coordinated strategy to tackle the biosecurity risks illegal meat imports pose.
The , and 鈥� plus over 150 regional outlets, including - report on NFU Deputy President David Exwood鈥檚 call for a clear plan from government for farmers in environmental schemes that are due to expire this year, after an NFU FOI (Freedom of Information) request to Defra revealed that 5,830 schemes are set to end. NFU Livestock Board Chair David Barton and Crops Board Appointee Mark Meadows also showcased the importance of the environmental work being done on their farms.
Finally, covered NFU Vice-president Rachel Hallos鈥檚 warning that some landowners may walk away from hosting telecoms infrastructure due to poor operator engagement and drastic rent cuts.
Tell your story
If you've been affected by any of the issues covered in the news this week and want to share your story, contact our press and editorial teams.
Email: [email protected]
Or contact our press team below:
Lucy Wood
NFU Press Officer