Chancellor Rachel Reeves said the challenge to fix the economy was "huge" and October's Budget would "deliver sustainable long-term growth, putting more money in people's pockets".

"It's just about everybody trying to live a little bit more sustainably in whatever way that is, because every little thing we do is going to make an impact."

They added that the industry was dedicated to finding "sustainable solutions" to tackling crop disease.

The company criticized the union, saying it had proposed an immediate 64% wage increase that “is not sustainable” and prematurely ended bargaining sessions this week.

The scientists called for a national effort to advance strategies for safeguarding aquifers, including establishing a federal program that would provide incentives to encourage states and communities to manage underground water supplies sustainably.