The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) has launched the latest in its Why Farming Matters series ahead of the 2010 party conference season.

The Recovery: Why Farming Matters aims to demonstrate how farming, and the sectors it supplies, is central to the UK economy and fundamental to the country’s future wellbeing.

Launching the document, NFU president Peter Kendall said: "This is more than just a feel good story about farming in the 21st century. It’s a reminder to politicians of all parties that Britain's farms are at the heart of the challenges this country faces, not least the need for economic recovery.

“When I hear senior politicians talk about the need to re-balance our economy, when I hear the energy secretary announce that the era of cheap energy is over, and the prime minister talk about the need for people to come together and work together to pull Britain out of the doldrums, I’m happy to hold up farming as an example of answers in action.

Kendall added: “We’re talking about a food and drink manufacturing sector that contributes £23 billion in gross value added to the economy - our farms are a crucial part of the food chain. We're talking about a rural economy that turns over some £300bn a year and employs 5.5 million people - and farming’s at the centre of that economy. We’re talking about a sector which doesn't only feed our population, but can help fuel our cars and power the national grid. And, not forgetting the environment, we’re talking about over six million hectares of land under active environmental management, with farmers across England and Wales playing their part to maintain our landscapes, protect our water resources and enhance our biodiversity.”

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