More of the British public think positively about farmers and farming than last year, according to a recent OnePoll survey commissioned by the NFU.
Following the launch of the Back British Farming campaign, the latest survey results revealed that 67 per cent of people think favourably about farmers, a five per cent increase on 2013, and continuing an upward trend from 2012.
The survey also questioned people’s understanding of farming’s impact on the economy and the countryside.
The results showed that 90 per cent of respondents believed farming is fairly or very important to the economy, and almost three-quarters of people think farmers have a beneficial effect on the countryside.
Results also revealed that 79 per cent of people consider the farming industry to be a professional one, with this statistic rising to 92 per cent for the over-65s age group.
NFU president Meurig Raymond, said: “Seeing that more and more members of the public are thinking positive things about farming is fantastic. Maintaining and enhancing a positive image of farmers and farming is hugely important.
“We were particularly pleased to see that 90 per cent of people think that farming is important to the economy. Agriculture’s contribution to the economy increased by 67 per cent between 2007 and 2013, and it’s great that the public have noticed this.
“Many of our farmers work in very rural areas in an isolated way but the work they do effects the everyday lives of British people. It’s heartening that shoppers are not only aware of the farming sector but are consciously making the right decisions to back British farming.”
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