The National Farmers' Union (NFU) has launched a new campaign aiming to celebrate the contribution the arable sector makes to the nation's economy, food supply and environment.

Eastern Daily Press: The Cereals 2018 event at Chrishall Grange, Cambridgeshire. Pictured:: NFU president Minette Batters speaks at the Fit for the Future debate. Picture: Chris HillThe Cereals 2018 event at Chrishall Grange, Cambridgeshire. Pictured:: NFU president Minette Batters speaks at the Fit for the Future debate. Picture: Chris Hill (Image: Chris Hill)

The launch of 'Your Harvest' at the Cereals 2018 show in Cambridgeshire included the release of a guide for farmers, outlining the importance of the sector, with suggestions of how to share that story with parliamentarians throughout Harvest 2018 and beyond.

NFU crops board chairman Tom Bradshaw, who farms near Colchester, championed the initiative. He said: 'The UK arable sector has a brilliant story to tell. And never has there been a more important time to tell it.

'There's no question that the arable sector will face its fair share of change as the UK leaves the EU, particularly around farming's relationship with the natural environment. This campaign presents an opportunity for farmers to be on the front foot; to proactively talk about the millions of tonnes of grain we produce, how we produce it and what that contributes to the UK. It's never been more important to talk about the role that farmers play in managing the great British countryside that is taken for granted.

'As part of the #YourHarvest campaign I'm urging every arable farmer to spare two hours of their harvest to host a farm visit with an MP, to use the facts and statistics in the guide and champion the industry that I know we're all proud to work in.'

NFU president Minette Batters said: 'The importance of the arable sector is absolutely huge, and it is really important that we have a positive story to underpin it.

'We have had politicians talking about drowning our soils in pesticides and declaring chemical warfare on our soils. We need to remind ourselves of the journey we have been on in the last 20 years. We have come such a long way. We have halved our use of pesticides and fertiliser, and the world's eyes are on our market place.'