2 November 2022
Back British Farming Day 2022

Today is Back British Farming Day across the country – and that’s why I am asking everyone to do their bit by wearing the badge, speaking up and supporting our vital farming industries. 

Having grown up on my stepdad’s farm and lived in East Anglia for much of my life, previously worked as a Parliamentary Officer for the NFU and represented a largely rural constituency for over a decade, I have always had a strong connection with our agricultural industries and the environment.  

Farming and all of its associated sectors play a key role in not only our Norfolk (and wider Eastern) economy, but also in the preservation and enhancement of our beautiful rural landscapes and way of life. Wherever you are in Mid Norfolk, you are never far away from the positive work being done by a local farmer.  

That’s why I do so much work to support the sector each and every year. Amongst my visits and work with farmers this year, I have: 

  • Taken an active role in supporting poultry farmers through the current, awful Bird Flu Crisis (see more here

  • Visited on-farm wetlands in Guist to learn more about, and show my support for, the great work being done here in Mid Norfolk to enhance local habitats, pioneer carbon capture through farming and help better manage water so as to reduce local flooding (see more here

  • Supported the Wendling Beck Exemplar Project which again leads on a plethora of pioneering farming practices, including habitat enhancement, flood and water management, tourism, education and carbon capture techniques (see more here)  

  • Spoken up in support of the Norfolk Rivers Trust and Coca Cola’s joint Water Sensitive Farming initiative (see more here)  

  • Participated in the Rural Policy Group’s virtual ‘The Value of Food’ event (see more here

  • Highlighted with government the very real struggles local farmers and food processing companies like Cranswick Food are having in terms of serious labour shortages (see more here)  

  • Visited local dairy farmers, Oliver and Laura, at Tittleshall to learn more about their work in the sector (see more here)    

  • Been to see the world’s largest Vertical Farm which is under construction at the nearby Easton Food Hub, and which will blaze a trail for even more innovative farming in our region (see more here

  • Helped bring Lord Benyon (the Minister for Rural Affairs, Access to Nature and Biosecurity) to Norfolk to meet with key local stakeholders, as well as representatives from the likes of the Breckland Farmers Wildlife Network and the Wendling Beck Exemplar Project (see more here

  • Continued to vitally important conversation about Mental Health in Agriculture with the great team at Lloyds Bank (see more here)   

  • Nominated my own local NFU Farming Champion – Glenn Anderson at the Dillington Hall estate (see more here)  

  • Liaised closely with the local NFU team and other key local stakeholders. 

  • Attended the Royal Norfolk Show 2022 (see more here

There is much more to be done however and, on this 2022 edition of Back British Farming Day, I once again recommit to doing all I can to support our key farming industries.  

To learn more about the NFU and Back British Farming Day, please visit their website here.

As ever, to stay up to date on all my work on farming, food and the environment, please visit my campaign page here.

George Freeman MP visits Fischer Farms
George Freeman MP visits Breckland Farmers Wildlife Network
George Freeman MP at Necton
George Freeman MP at the Norfolk Show 2022
George Freeman MP meets with local NFU members