This week independent machinery distributor OPICO is launching an initiative to support the various campaigns currently endeavouring to promote British agriculture.

While industry leaders, social media influencers and charities are working tirelessly to lobby government and raise awareness of the issues currently faced by farmers across the country, the Lincolnshire-based company is giving away a series of bumper stickers at this week's LAMMA show to help bolster the cause.

On the OPICO stand visitors will be able to choose between seven different designs, urging people to 'Save a Farmer' by encouraging them to 'Eat Steak', 'Drink Milk', 'Eat Lamb', 'Drink Beer', 'Eat Chips', 'Drink Whisky' or 'Eat Bread'.

"As a family firm, OPICO is fully aware of the increased pressure small businesses are now under following the proposed changes to, amongst other things, inheritance tax relief and employers' National Insurance contributions outlined in last autumn's budget," says managing director James Woolway.

"We wanted to get behind the campaigns working to support our industry and highlight the challenges we're all under. That's how the bumper sticker idea came about - my hope is that we can get the message out to road users across the country who might otherwise be unaware of farming's current issues."

Even before the government's announcements last October British farm incomes were under significant pressure. Whilst the fallout from Covid and the Russia vs Ukraine war gave UK farming a boost in 2021 and 2022, the long-term decline of margins from agriculture has now resumed. It's time to help 'Save a Farmer'.

"Rural businesses of all shapes and sizes need the backing from the people who benefit most from their hard work - the great British public. As a farmer's son myself, I feel it is important to help to explain the challenges facing rural businesses and garner support rather than just rely on media and social media soundbites.

"Now more than ever, we need to be championing British food and drink. Better still, we also need to encourage people to buy local - from farm shops, independent butchers or direct from farms."

OPICO has designed and printed 5000 easy-peel 'Save a Farmer' bumper stickers which we will be handing out free to those who visit our stand at the LAMMA show this week (Hall 6, Stand 440). Please feel free to drop by to collect your sticker and ask any questions.

As a British company embedded in and reliant on the agricultural industry, OPICO hopes that this small initiative will help to bolster the other highly successful campaigns being run on social media. We will be linking with these other projects to help spread the message as far and wide as possible. For more information, please visit: Save a Farmer