Boris Johnson and Keir Starmer were among MPs seen sporting sheafs of wheat on their lapels as they faced off in the Commons at PMQs.
Despite eliciting memories of Theresa May’s naughtiest admissions, the decorations were in fact in aid of Back British Farming Day, which falls on 9 September.
Organised by the National Farmers’ Union for England and Wales (NFU), the event is aimed at celebrating the British farming sector and to encourage politicians to ensure it is prioritised during future trade deals.
With the government’s Trade Bill up for debate in the House of Lords this week, the NFU is calling for Peers to amend the bill so that parliament will be given the final say on whether to ratify any new post-Brexit trade agreements.
Such an amendment to the bill, tabled by rebel Tory backbenchers, was voted down in the Commons in July.
“We are at a pivotal time for the future of farming and the food on our plates. Nothing will determine this more than how the government shapes trade deals with countries around the world," said NFU president Minette Batters.
“There is no doubt that the countries we are currently negotiating with are demanding access to our prized market for their agriculture products and, right now, a trade agreement could be signed with little parliamentary scrutiny.
"This could result in a massive increase in the amount of food being imported that is produced in ways that would be illegal in this country.
“Politicians have time and again stated that they will not allow this to happen. There is now a clear solution on the table that will allow parliament to be kept fully informed of the impacts any trade deal will have on the food we all consume.
“Time is running out. Action has to be taken now, or all the warm words will be for nothing.”
Speaking in the Commons on Wednesday, the prime minister said: "As someone who grew up on a farm many years ago I’m thrilled to support Back British Farming Day.
“It’s thanks to them that we have fantastic food on our plates every day, but also that we have an amazing opportunity to increase our agricultural exports around the world. And that’s why I’m so much looking forward to that period which comes at the end of this year when we will be able to take advantage of the freedoms that Brexit brings.”
He said he hoped members of the opposition would vote through his controversial UK Internal Market Bill, which he said would strengthen and support the UK agricultural industry..
The bill, published today, will override elements of Mr Johnson’s Brexit deal with Brussels and breach international law.
It also faced intense scrutiny from the SNP’s Ian Blackford, who alleged it constituted a power grab on the devolved nations.
The new legislation proposes that powers on state aid and spending programmes being returned from Brussels should be transferred to UK government ministers and not the devolved administrations.
