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Food and farming
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Overview
Farming makes a huge contribution to our rural economy and to our way of life. It contributed approximately £6.8 billion to the UK economy in 2008. It uses around three quarters of this country's land area, and employs around half a million people (Agriculture in the United Kingdom 2008).
One of Defra’s major tasks is to help this vital industry meet the challenges of food security and climate change by enabling farmers to care for the land, produce efficiently and sustainably, and uphold high animal welfare standards.
We also administer support policies agreed in Brussels which provide around £3 billion to UK agriculture.
Hilary Benn launched The Future of our Farming at the Royal Show on 9 July 2009 - a leaflet for the farming community outlining our shared aims for and actions towards achieving a thriving and environmentally sustainable farming industry.
Farmer advice and support at Business Link
Defra has launched a new dedicated Farming section on Business Link. It contains plain English guides on livestock, crops, organics, and agricultural wages and tenancies.
During 2009 this will expand to offer a complete range of guidance, information and online tools for farm businesses.
Page last modified: 19 November 2009