Public authorities should back our region’s farmers by putting more British food in schools and hospitals, says leading East Anglian farmer Andrew Blenkiron.

With the national spotlight set to shine on the British farming industry, I would like to highlight why our public authorities should lead from the front in championing our nation’s farmers.  

The National Farmers' Union's (NFU's) annual Back British Farming Day, on Wednesday, September 11, will see people across the country showing their support for our farmers and the food we produce.

Farmers here in East Anglia, and across the country, are continuing to face some major challenges. 

They include crops being devastated by drought and frequent floods, ongoing issues with rural crime, sharp rises in energy costs, being undercut by trade deals which have allowed in food produced to standards that would be illegal in this country, a lack of supply chain fairness and, as we are sadly seeing right now, the emergence of the bluetongue virus. 

Some of these issues have led to farmers’ confidence to be at an all-time low, as was revealed by an NFU survey, published in May.  

But British farmers are, by their nature, the definition of resilience and we are working with the NFU to find solutions.  

Public authorities can play a significant role in supporting these efforts by committing to sourcing more British food for organisations such as schools, hospitals, prisons, councils and the military.

One of the NFU’s key pre-general election manifesto asks of the new government was for a commitment to source at least 50pc of food into the public sector from British farms. 

It is right for public authorities to use public money to support an industry the public values very highly. 

What’s more, I believe it is in both the public and the producers’ interests that our public sector utilises our world-leading British food and farming industry to deliver safe, traceable, nutritious food at affordable prices.  

The government would be providing much-needed support for British farmers and growers at a time when business certainty and confidence are at an all-time low while, at the same time, boosting the economy, helping the environment and promoting animal welfare.   

Farming contributes £1.4bn to the economy in East Anglia and provides around 20,000 jobs in Norfolk and Suffolk combined.  

Sourcing food locally greatly helps the environment by reducing food miles and carbon emissions. Supporting British farmers also means supporting animal welfare, as farmers here adhere to world-leading standards in this regard. 

More support will also enable British farmers to continue their great work helping wildlife and protecting the countryside. 

Our country needs a successful British farming industry and a long-term commitment to our farmers from the government and local councils will help to achieve that.  

As the country unites for Back British Farming Day next Wednesday, I hope our decision-makers hear that loud and clear.  

- Andrew Blenkiron is managing director of Elveden Farms on the Norfolk/Suffolk border near Thetford, and is a former NFU Suffolk chairman.