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Great Britain’s agriculture is distinguished by two principal features：the small proportion of the population engaged in agricultural activities and the high degree of mechanization.It is estimated that the country counts one tractor for every 35 acres of land，a figure that is among the highest in the world for tractor density.Agriculture，including both crops and livestock，employs about 1.5％ of the country’s labor force and contributes about 0.6％ of national GDP.

Great Britain’s mild climate has provided the country with a favorable environment for raising crops and animal husbandry.Although the country’s land surface is small compared with some other European nations，its agriculture is intensive and highly productive.About 74％ of total land surface is devoted to agriculture，of which about two⁃thirds is for animal husbandry.The United Kingdom exports a large portion of its animal products，particularly dairy products，especially to other European Union（EU）countries.The most important farm crops in Great Britain are wheat，barley，sugar beets and potatoes.The limited land area devoted to farm crops has led to a low level of grain production;as a result，the United Kingdom has to depend on the world market for some of the food it needs.The country currently imports 40％ of the total food it consumes and the proportion is rising.