Britain's farmers and growers have been named as one of the public's most favoured and valued professions, second only to nurses, according to a new survey commissioned by the NFU.
Almost 75% of the public have a favourable view of farmers and growers, recognising how hard they work through rain and shine, to produce food for the nation.
It also shows 91% of respondents feel that farming is important to the UK economy, demonstrating the key role agriculture businesses play in kick-starting growth for Labour's new mission-led government.
The survey has been published to coincide with the NFU's first parliamentary reception since the General Election.
NFU President Tom Bradshaw said: "We are incredibly grateful to the public for their continued support of British farmers and growers. When we are out in our fields, sheds and glasshouses we never take it for granted and it spurs us on to get the food onto their plates.
"The results of the survey show it is vital the new government recognises how much the public values our farmers and growers and the climate-friendly, nutritious food we provide."
According to the survey:
89% of the public feel it is important that Britain has a productive farming industry
85% of people support increasing self-sufficiency in UK food production
87% of people think it is important that trade deals ensure animal welfare standards are the same in countries we import food from as in the UK
Mr Bradshaw continued: "As outlined in the Labour manifesto, food security is national security. To ensure we deliver on this shared mission and that the public continues to see a safe supply of food in the face of climate change and a volatile global outlook, confidence is key. But confidence of agriculture businesses is at an all-time low.
The union president said it was down to those in Westminster to ‘revitalise' farmer confidence and to set a budget which supports the sector's work.
"The number one priority to achieve this long-term confidence is for government to set a UK wide agricultural budget of £5.6 billion. It is not just ‘more money for farmers' but an investment that means farmers and growers can do more of what the public value them for - delivering more climate friendly, high-welfare food, delivering for the environment, increasing clean energy production and kick-starting economic growth."
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