It’s hard to believe that we’re only three months into 2020 and so many significant things have happened – from months of flooding to Brexit to the impact of the Coronavirus. We know our farming customers haven’t had it easy, but what recent weeks have highlighted is their importance to the UK. Now more than ever they are needed to ensure the nation is kept fed.
On that note, we just wanted to show our support to our farming customers and highlight why they’re so important (and not just in times of crisis):
Food Production
UK farmers produce just under 60% of the food that the country eats. The importance of this has never been so heightened than times like now when global supply chains are disrupted and the Government needs to keep food in front of the nation.*
Economy
The food and farming sector makes a significant contribution to the economy – over 4 million people are employed in this sector and it contributes £122 billion to the economy***.
Environment
Farmland plays a positive environmental role by acting as a carbon sink. The overall value of this service is estimated to be worth around £514 million each year.* In recent years, UK agriculture has also managed to increase the production of food at the same time as decreasing its impact on the environment. NFU members aspire to net-zero agriculture by 2040.
Wildlife Habitats
Farmers manage over 70% of the UK’s land area.* They’re responsible for managing important landscape features, enhancing our beautiful countryside and providing natural habitats for our wildlife.
Renewable Energy
Around 10% of overall UK electricity generation now comes from renewable energy technologies sited on agricultural lands, such as wind power, solar power and energy produced from biomass.*
Animal Welfare
UK farmers are reputed for having world-leading welfare standards and invest a great deal of time caring for the health and wellbeing of their animals.
Tourism
Our beautiful countryside is a big attraction to overseas visitors to the UK. Visit Britain estimates that about 20% of international visitors visit the countryside during their stays. 66% of all farm businesses in England also run other enterprises such as wedding venues, farm shops and B&Bs.****
These are just a few of the reasons why farming is so important to the UK, there are of course many more.
At Cotterill Drainage, we understand the importance of farming – not only have we been supplying our drainage products to UK farmers for many years but our background is in farming too. In fact, only last year our MD’s family celebrated 100 years of farming here at Hermitage Farm, our HQ in the Midlands.
What are we doing to help farmers during the Coronavirus crisis?
During the Coronavirus crisis we’re continuing to supply our products to UK farms. These include essential water supply pipe, drinking water tanks, sewage treatment plants, land drainage pipe and other products vital to sustaining arable crop and food production and livestock health and welfare.
We are, of course, adhering to stringent health and hygiene measures to ensure the safety of both our colleagues and customers. For example, if you need to collect anything from our Trade Counter at the moment, you will need to call ahead. View the safety measures we have in place here.
If you need anything, please let us know. Our team of specialists are available to provide you with expert advice – call us on 0121 351 3230.
Alternatively, fill out our enquiry form:
* Contributions of UK Agriculture
** Wikipedia
*** Poultry News
**** Countryside