British farmers are lobbying government to increase support for farming as the industry faces huge challenges from volatile weather to diseases such as Bluetongue.

The National Farmers' Union (NFU) are calling on MPs to back the sector at a Back British Farming Day breakfast reception in Parliament today.

It cited UK security, climate change action and the industry's economic value as some of the key reasons. In the East the food and drink industry is worth £1.4bn to the regional economy.

It's the ninth year the industry has earmarked a day to call on the public, retailers, food processers and manufacturers to celebrate and champion British agriculture and its importance to the UK economy.

It wants to see the UK farming budget increased from £3.5bn to £5.6bn to help it achieve climate change targets as farmers' confidence plummets.

NFU president Tom Bradshaw - who farms at Fordham, near Colchester - said: “British farmers and growers are proud to produce the raw ingredients that underpin our essential food and drink sector, the largest manufacturing sector in the UK, worth a huge £148bn, and employing more than four million people.

“But there are huge challenges. Over the past 18 months we have seen a collapse in farmer confidence, driven by record inflation, falls in farm income and a changing climate with unprecedented weather patterns delivering relentless rain which left thousands of acres of farmland under water."

NFU Suffolk chairman Glenn Buckingham said: “It’s really heartening to see the huge amount of public support for farmers on Back British Farming Day and it is noticed by Suffolk farmers that the people of Suffolk appreciate our work.

“And across the country this same appreciation comes out in many surveys of the hard work farmers do throughout the year to feed the nation.

“Farmers in Suffolk deliver healthy, nutritious, traceable and affordable food for everyone to enjoy.

“The farming industry is worth £1.4bn to the East Anglian economy and supports more than 8,000 jobs in Suffolk. It’s a vital industry.

 “Farmers help wildlife, protect our beautiful countryside and support efforts to tackle climate change.

“We are continuing to face some major challenges, including erratic weather patterns, from flood to drought, ongoing issues with rural crime, rising costs, mobile coverage etc,  but  now the impact of bluetongue in our region adds another pressure point.

“By increasing the agricultural budget, an amount unchanged for 20 years, the government will enable farmers here in Suffolk, and across the country to continue to deliver for national food security whilst meeting the  significant changes required for the environment and economy”.

Mr Bradshaw pointed out that while in opposition, Labour said food security is national security.

"The Prime Minister, speaking at NFU Conference last year, pledged that Labour “aspires to govern for every corner of our country, and will seek a new relationship with the countryside and farming communities on this basis, a relationship based on respect and on genuine partnership”.

“We now need to see those ambitions realised. Today we’re calling on government to truly value UK food security by delivering a renewed and enhanced multi-annual agriculture budget of £5.6 billion on October 30.

"This budget is essential in giving Britain’s farmers and growers the confidence they desperately need to invest for the future and deliver on our joint ambitions on producing more sustainable, affordable homegrown food while creating more jobs and delivering for nature, energy security and climate-friendly farming.

“Our farmers and growers are much loved and valued by the public who rank our job as one of the most important and well-respected professions⁴, second only to nursing. 91% also believe farming is important to the UK economy, with 85% believing we should increase our self-sufficiency in British food.

“On this Back British Farming Day, we are at a tipping point, so we call on government, all MPs, to also show their unstinted support. Seize this opportunity to harness the passion and the drive of British farmers and growers to ensure a thriving future - a future that is good for shoppers, good for the environment and good for a secure supply of British food.”