Dr Neil Hudson MP for England's largest and most rural constituency, Penrith and The Border, has shown his support for British food and farming on Back British Farming Day 2022 recognising the vital role farmers play in feeding the nation.
The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) provided the emblem of the day, a British wool and wheatsheaf pin badge. This symbolises the fantastic products British food and farming provides and recognises an industry which provides jobs for almost 4 million people and is worth more than £120 billion to the national economy.
The NFU designed Back British Farming Day to celebrate British farming values and highlight the importance of agriculture to our rural communities and wider society. On the Day Dr Hudson was pleased to meet again with NFU President Minette Batters and other national stakeholders in the agri-food industry at Westminster to discuss all the work being done politically to support our brilliant British farmers.
Alongside recognising the work farmers do for the nation, Back British Farming Day provides an amazing opportunity acknowledge contributions farmers make to their communities. As such the NFU introduced the Community Farming Heroes Award to celebrate individuals who have gone above and beyond for local people.
It was an honour for Dr Hudson to nominate Alex Dixon as the winner for Penrith and The Border. The 27-year-old new generation farmer from near Kirkby Stephen has taken a hands-on role within amongst his peers, chairing and hosting the wildly successful Cumbrian Young Farmers Clubs Field Day event in May. Beyond the countless hours Alex gave up for preparation, he has also used his platform to influence, MPs, DEFRA, and other leading agricultural organisations and enterprises, particularly on making farming businesses sustainable for the next generation.
Commenting, Dr Neil Hudson MP, said:
"It is an honour to represent some of the UK's most vibrant and diverse farming communities here in Penrith and The Border. Agriculture is pivotal to rural life, and I'd like to take this moment to celebrate farmers as key workers in society. From driving our rural economy forward and producing the highest quality food to feed the nation, to helping neighbours during extreme weather events and protecting our natural landscapes - it's clear to me our brilliant farmers here in Cumbria and across the UK are at the heart of society in the countryside and should be lauded as such.
"On Back British Farming Day I'd like to reiterate that I will do everything I can to boost the agricultural economy while protecting our beautiful and fragile environment.
"A special congratulations must also go to Alex Dixon who I nominated for the NFU Community Farming Hero Award for Penrith and The Border, in recognition not only of the countless hours he gave up to organise, chair and host the Cumbria Young Farmers Clubs Field Day at Hartley Castle but for using his platform as a resolute platform for sustainable farming businesses and the next generation of food producers and land managers. Well done Alex!"
Dr Hudson is a powerful parliamentary advocate for farmers and the wider agricultural sector. This week alone he has spoken in the House of Commons on the importance of supporting farmers on the front line of the Avian Influenza outbreak and in support of an innovative new bill which will use new technologies to improve productivity and enhancing animal health and welfare.
Moreover, Dr Hudson sits on the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee where he has triggered Official Inquiries into the UK's food security, post-Brexit farm payments and rural mental health.