NFU president Minette Batters is calling on the British public to get behind Great British Beef Week, which returns for the eighth consecutive year between April 23 and 30.

Ms Batters is a champion of British beef and a co-founder of Ladies in Beef - the driving force behind Great British Beef Week. Ladies in Beef is a group of more than 150 female beef farmers.

Ms Batters, from Wiltshire, said: “We first established Ladies in Beef to tell the story of British Red Tractor assured beef. As a mother and a consumer myself, I really value British beef as part of a healthy, nutritious, balanced diet.

"It’s these messages that I want to communicate to others.”

This year’s Great British Beef Week campaign will focus on the benefits of eating thin cuts - which are readily available at most supermarkets.

Jilly Greed, also a co-founder of Ladies in Beef, said: “Thin cuts are a great way of shaking up midweek mealtimes.

"They’re robust in flavour and you can cook them in minutes. They’re lean and an underrated source of protein and iron, as well as eight essential vitamins and minerals.

The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI) is supporting the campaign as charity partner.

Paul Burrows, RABI CEO, said: “If everyone bought just 10 per cent more British food every week it would greatly transform British agriculture and farmers’ lives.”