Suffolk farmers urged their MPs to back British farming as they highlighted the challenges they face - and the contribution they make to the nation - at an event in Westminster.

West Suffolk-based Andrew Blenkiron was among a host of UK farmers to feature in the National Farmers' Union's (NFU) Back British Farming campaign on November 2.

In a publication for the event, he explained how farmers found themselves on the frontline of climate change - but were adopting measures to ease the crisis.

Both prime minister Rishi Sunak and opposition leader Keir Starmer backed the initiative, which aims to show the key role farmers play. In response, Mr Sunak described British farmers as "the lifeblood of our nation". 

Mr Blenkiron, who is chairman of the NFU's Suffolk branch and director of the Euston Estate, near Thetford, said it was "undeniable" that UK weather patterns had changed - but said farmers were striving to mitigate their effects.

“As farmers we’re on the frontline of the climate change challenge, and we’re committed to achieving the industry target of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040," he said. 

“It’s all of our responsibility to make a change now. On our farm, we’ve recently planted 500 acres of Paulownia trees, which are one of the fastest growing trees and store up to six times more carbon than mixed woodland.

"I’m excited to see how quickly they grow and what species of wildlife they attract."

Other measures on the farm include an anaerobic digestion (AD) plant turning organic matter into biogas, which is  pumped into the National Grid and powers almost 8,000 homes. It is also home to a solar farm operation with more planned.

“British farmers are some of the most climate-friendly in the world, but we can all do that bit extra to make sure we reach our net zero goal,” he said.

As part of the campaign, the NFU held a reception in the Houses of Parliament centred around winners of the new Community Farming Heroes award- all nominated by MPs.

New environment secretary Thérèse Coffey - who represents Suffolk Coastal - nominated Andrew Williams, who runs Home Farm Naction, near Ipswich, for his work with a local food bank and on farm safety.

East Anglian Daily Times:

Other nominees included Shotley peninsula potato grower Chris Suckling, who was nominated by MP James Cartlidge for his fundraising efforts for East Anglian Air Ambulance and his launch of a small Potato Hut shop to help people during the pandemic.

Bury St Edmunds MP Jo Churchill nominated David Barker of Westhorpe, near Stowmarket, for his trailblazing work in wildlife management on the family farm.

Chelmsford group secretary Graham Harvey was nominated by Kemi Badenoch MP for his work helping the farming community in mid Essex and as Felsted Parish Council chairman for 18 years.

MPs wore wheatsheaf badges to show their support for the campaign.

NFU president Minette Batters said British food and farming was worth more than £120bn billion to the national economy and provided jobs for more than four million people.

"Driving this industry forward are farmers, people who not only produce high quality, environmentally and climate-friendly food, but who play a central role in our rural communities," she added.

“British farming really can offer solutions to many of the challenges we are facing as a nation."