Yorkshire farmers need to be protected at all costs when striking trade deals

But anyone who knows anything about farming will understand the demanding nature of agriculture. Given the growing importance of food security, it would be unwise to heap more pressure on farmers to secure trade deals.

On the surface, the trade agreements announced with India and the US are to be welcomed. The National Farmers' Union (NFU) even called the trade deal with India “balanced and considered”.

The US deal, at this juncture, also protects the high standards that British farmers adhere to and are proud of.

However, that is not to say that the US won’t put pressure on Britain in the future. And erosion in standards should never be on the table.

And concerns have been raised for British arable farmers about the inclusion of a “significant volume of bioethanol” in the deal.

Darren Jones, chief secretary to the Treasury, says the agreement with the US will be “really good for Britain”. But that will only be the case if Britain’s agricultural sector is protected and farming is about more than just food production.

There’s much to be done on the home front to ensure that the public is buying British where it can. Clearer packaging on supermarket shelves is needed. Too often a Union Flag adorns packaging only for the origin to read another country.

Yorkshire is lucky to be home to a number of great farm shops. This weekend presents as good an opportunity As any for the people of Yorkshire to show their support for British farmers with their wallets.