The next Government must back British farming and food, according to the National Farmers Union.

The crucial role of the agriculture and good industries in the county's economy will be emphasised at this year's Royal Cornwall Show.

Agriculture is directly worth around £189m to the economy of Cornwall and employs just over 10,500 people.

About a quarter of the county's jobs are connected to farming or food processing, and the financial benefits ripple out along the supply chain.

A recent NFU report found that for every £1 invested in farming, £7.40 is returned to the rural economy.

There will be particular emphasis on the dairy industry, as NFU Cornwall county chairman Roger Jenkin, a dairy farmer from Manaccan on the Lizard, has invited all the people who supply his farm with everything from feed, fertiliser and insurance to milking parlour equipment and veterinary services along to a special event at the NFU stand, to illustrate just how many other businesses the industry supports.

He said: "I made up a list of all our suppliers and it came to more than 50.

“So I thought this was a great opportunity to illustrate how much our farms contribute to the rural economy and how important it is that we get the right outcome from the Brexit negotiations in order to keep them going.”

“The number of dairy farmers has fallen from 25,000 in 1995 to less than 10,000 today.

“In Cornwall the number has halved to just over 500, so we must speak to the supermarkets and come up with a plan to ensure that dairy farmers’ costs are covered, even at the lowest prices.”

Treworgie Farm’s suppliers will be gathering at 12.15pm on Thursday 8 June at the NFU stand, and at 10am on the Thursday there will be a session looking at the county’s horticulture industry, which produces about a third of the region’s fruit and vegetables.

Visitors to the showground will also see colourful bale stickers in fields and along the approach roads emphasising that British farmers are proud to produce the nation’s food.

The result of the general election, which is taking place on the first day of the show, is sure to be a main talking point, with farmers looking to the new Government to make sure agriculture gets a good deal in negotiations to leave the European Union, as all farming sectors will be affected by the kind trade deals which can be struck.

There is also a call for the Government to make sure science is at the heart of policy-making, as moves to restrict the use of safe and effective plant protection products like glyphosates and neonicotinoids could increase pest resistance and leave British farmers at a competitive disadvantage.

Mr Jenkin continued: “With Brexit a sure reality, our government needs to back British farmers to ensure a sustainable food supply for our country and to encourage young people to make a career in agriculture, by helping it become a well-paid, well-invested industry."