In a keynote speech to the NFU East Anglia conference last Thursday (2 November), Mr Kendall criticised the tendency for people outside agriculture to play down the importance of farming to the country's economy and countryside.

"Some people think of farmers as park keepers, whose role is to supply niche markets with speciality foods and provide holiday accommodation," he told delegates at Chilford Hall, Cambridgeshire.

"There is no doubt that those business opportunities are extremely important to the rural economy, and that farmers are entering environmental stewardship schemes with enthusiasm, but it is essential that the core business of farming is recognised for the critical role it plays in feeding our citizens and the contribution it makes to the nation's economy."

Source: fwi.co.uk