THE agricultural industry used day one of the Great Yorkshire Show to hammer home its message to the Government that it has to be top of the Brexit agenda.

Environment and Farming Secretary Michael Gove is due at the show today (Wednesday) and the National Farmers' Union (NFU), the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) and the Tenant Farmers' Association lined up to throw down the gauntlet to him over Brexit.

The organisations have concerns over the potential for trade tariffs, border controls, access to workers and whether or not existing agricultural budgets will still be devoted to the industry after the UK leaves the EU.

NFU vice president Minette Batters told a press conference on Tuesday that Brexit is the greatest challenge for more than a generation for the food and farming industry, which is worth £129bn a year. She said officials will be telling Mr Gove the Government needs to bring an end to the fragmentation of the industry.

“We need access to people and any barriers for export need to be gone," said Ms Batters. "I feel very strongly about this being a commercial Brexit, and the government seeing the economic value of this sector, that is what we need to get Michael Gove to see.

"We believe agriculture should be at the heart of the industrial strategy. This needs to be a constructive conversation, so he sees what we have to offer."

Ross Murray, president of the CLA warned: "Trade is the critical one. It is essential the government establishes even on a transitional basis open borders and customs arrangements which means there is no charging in the transfer of goods. Tariffs are the enemy here.

“The Common Agricultural Policy doesn’t work, this is the opportunity for a bespoke policy for England, Wales and Scotland. We see this as an opportunity to get it right.”

Creating local supply chains and building on the British brand’s high food standards are at the heart of campaigns started by the industry.

Pride and Provenance has been launched by the NFU across Yorkshire and is set to be extended to the North-East, promoting the region's farmers and producers.

So far 57 companies, with a turnover of £2.5bn a year and employing 23,000 people to promote food and farming, have joined together.

James Farrar, of North Yorkshire and East Riding Local Enterprise Partnership, which is backing the campaign, said it was crucial people got behind it and supported the Made in Britain name.

Mr Farrar said one of the major targets is the planned "super garrison" at Catterick, announced last year, which will cater for thousands of extra troops and their families.

“It doesn’t have a local supply chain," said Mr Farrar. "Imagine that – British food for British troops.

"The government needs to deliver that, we have to have a concerted campaign to buy local. Our message to government is if you work with us we will deliver.”