NFU combinable crops board chairman Ian Backhouse has been elected chairman of the Copa-Cogeca (European Farm Organisation) cereals working group.
Following his election, Mr Backhouse said he would take the opportunity to focus on the CAP reform, supply chain relationships in the grain markets as well as inputs risk management, particularly for nitrogen fertiliser.
“I am pleased to have been elected as chairman of this working group and for the opportunity to lead debate through these challenging times, as the CAP progresses through its reform and while the EU negotiates its budget,” said Mr Backhouse.
“Growers face increasing demands, from responding to market signals to volatility impacting their own profits while continually providing value for money for the consumer. With CAP in mind, food and energy security must be central to the policy but without detriment to our ability to produce more while impacting less.
“On top of this there is the increasing pressure of green policies and the implementation of the Renewable Energy Directive, but I believe we can turn all of these challenges to our advantage by finding resolutions that will benefit all of the EU’s farmers. To this end, I am confident we can find a strong consensus in the working group to lead a profitable and competitive sector across all member states.”
No comments have been made.