Priti Patel MP with Essex farmers giving a thumbs up to Back British Farming Day.
Priti supports Back British Farming Day
Witham MP Priti Patel has shown her support for farmers in Essex and across the country by endorsing the NFU’s Back British Farming Day, taking place on 9th September 2020, the fifth year that this celebration of Britain’s agriculture and food production has taken place.
Priti met local farmers at Dagnetts Farm in Black Notley on Friday (4th September), where she took part in a Q & A session. Subjects under discussion included the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on farming, the agriculture White Paper, rural crime, seasonal workers and the new schemes that the Government will be introducing to replace the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy, from next year.
Priti said: “Food produced in Essex and Britain is the best in the world and I hope everyone will show their support for our farmers on Back British Farming Day.”
“Our farmers in Essex and across the country have worked incredibly hard during the pandemic to keep providing the food our country needs and events like these remind us all of how important farmers are to our everyday lives. As the country starts to recover from the pandemic, I was pleased to catch up with some of our County’s farmers about the hard work they have been doing.”
“With the EU transition period and our involvement in the disastrous Common Agricultural Policy finishing at the end of the year, we have a new opportunity to transform our food production and I was delighted to discuss the future of farming with local farmers and the NFU.”
Nick Cousins, Braintree NFU Branch Vice-Chair and Host farmer said: “It was a good event following a challenging harvest. It was a useful opportunity for the group to ask Priti for clarity as we approach the end of the EU-UK transition period”
Christy Willet, Essex NFU County Chair commented: “Meeting our local MPs is crucial as it provides opportunities to explain the challenges that Essex Farmers face and is especially important ahead of Back British Farming Day on the 9th September. It was interesting to hear Priti’s resolve to recruit more police officers, this is definitely to be welcomed in the fight against rural crime”.