The message from the Welsh and British farming industry was loud and clear during this year’s Lord Mayor’s Show in the City of London: We’re proud to produce your food.

Agriculture took centre stage in the 802nd parade on November 11 thanks to the Worshipful Company of Farmers, with its own independent entry in the show for the first time, supported by the NFU and agricultural machinery manufacturer New Holland.

The organisations will be highlighting the economic and environmental importance of farming, as well as its crucial role in helping to deliver food security for Britain.

This year’s entry led by Julian Sayers, the newly installed Master of the Worshipful Company of Farmers, featured a New Holland T7.270 tractor, one of the most advanced and powerful tractors, and a CR8.80 combine harvester, equipped with a 20-foot header, showing full support for the Back Welsh Farming and Back British Farming messages.

The procession also included eight young farmers, including one representative from Wales. They were chosen after the NFU launched a nationwide search to find young farmers who have made an outstanding contribution to the agricultural sector.

Worshipful Company of Farmers Master Julian Sayers said: “The Lord Mayor’s Show is an ideal showcase to tell a largely urban audience about the importance of Wales and Britain’s farming industry to both food production and care for the countryside. Our livery company’s purpose is to inspire, encourage and develop excellence in the management of UK agriculture. Thanks to the support of the NFU and New Holland, we will portray both the innovation of the industry and the passion of the farmers of the future.”

NFU Cymru president Stephen James said: “We are extremely proud to be supporting the Worshipful Company of Farmers for the fourth year in a row at one of the world’s biggest and most prestigious pageants.

“The Lord Mayor’s Show gives us the perfect platform to explain about the importance of Welsh and British farming – an industry that contributes £109 billion to the British economy and provides jobs for around four million people – and about our farmers and growers who are proud to produce quality, tasty and affordable food for everyone to enjoy.

“Our Welsh representative, Tom Rees, from Pembrokeshire, will represent Welsh farmers during the event and I know he will do a fantastic job as he has passion and enthusiasm for the industry – playing a vital role in producing the nation’s food.”

Tom Rees said: “The part of the parade that I'm most looking forward to is being able to portray the positive image of our industry. It’s so important that people outside of the industry know what a young vibrant industry we are. I'm looking forward to meeting people and letting them feel confident that when they buy Welsh and British they buy the best.”