The National Farmers Union is inviting MPs and farmers up and down the country to throw their weight behind Back British Farming Day to celebrate the farming industry.

Now in its fifth year, the day will provide an opportunity to celebrate British farming values and highlight its importance to the UK economy.

The NFU says it will be reminding politicians that British food and farming contributes more than £120 billion to the UK economy each year and employs four million people.

A spokesman said: “This year, it gives farmers an opportunity to promote British farmers commitment to high production standards, building on the success of the NFU’s food standards campaign which has been backed by more than a million people across the country so far.

“This autumn will be a critical time for British farming as the Agriculture Bill returns to the House of Commons to be passed into law and trade negotiations continue with countries across the world.

“There has never been a more important time to highlight the crucial role farmers play in feeding the nation and caring for the countryside.”

All MPs are invited to show their support by wearing a wool and wheatsheaf pin badge in the Palace of Westminster on Back British Farming Day, on September 9 and post a photograph of the badge quoting what farming means to them, on twitter, using #BackBritishFarming.

If they visit a farm they’re asked to post on their social media channel.