THE newly installed president of the NFU says now is the time for British food and farming to be championed by the British people.

In her first official speech, on Monday, Minette Batters set out her vision for British food and farming to an audience of political and industry stakeholders in Westminster.

Sitting alongside deputy president Guy Smith and vice president Stuart Roberts, the first woman to head the powerful farmers' lobby in its 110 year history called on the Government to help put British farming on the global map.

Brexit would be a new dawn for the countryside, she said. "I want to be involved in Brexit trade negotiations, and for farming to be the first to take its place in this new buyers' market.

"However, we must not turn our back on the EU market - it remains crucial for British farmers, with 40 per cent of our lamb, 80 per cent of our dairy exports and 75 per cent of our wheat and barley exports currently going into Europe.

"It is vital we have zero-tariff, friction-less trade with the EU market place."

Just as Britain promoted industry and defence interests abroad, now our ministers needed to stand shoulder to shoulder with farmers and do the same for agriculture.

Key for all concerned would be the recognition that the quality, traceability and affordability of British food - all achieved against the backdrop of high animal welfare standards and responsible environmental stewardship - was a public good.

She said: "Good quality, safe and traceable food is a public right and, above all else, a necessity for each and every one of us.

"I want British farming to be the food producer of choice for every British citizen, no matter who they are, where they live and regardless of their income.

"More than that, British people should want to shout loudly and with pride about the food we as an island nation produce."

Outlining her vision for the new agricultural policy being drawn up, she focused on four areas: ensuring British farming became the envy of the world; enhancing the natural environment and protecting our iconic countryside in general; driving up productivity and innovation to feed even more families, in every part of Britain, with safe, high quality and affordable food; and championing British farming at large.

An agricultural policy with these themes at its heart, she said, would be good for Britain's balance sheet, the public and the rural economy.