A new farming leader has vowed to drive forward West Midlands’ agriculture and horticulture and ensure the NFU is working to deliver for its members.
John Mercer, who studied at Shropshire university college Harper Adams, has held a series of high profile industry posts since graduating and is now the new regional director of the National Farmers’ Union in the West Midlands.
This week he took over from former regional director David Collier and will ensure farmers’ voices are heard and the NFU continues to properly represent farmers across Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire.
After eight and a half years Mr Collier decided it was time to move on within the organisation and is now heading up the NFU’s work on rural affairs.
Mr Mercer, originally from Llandovery in West Wales where his family are livestock farmers, said he was delighted to be in post and was keen to ensure the issues and challenges facing NFU members were being addressed.
He said: “I am hugely excited about taking up this position and representing members’ interests in such a diverse and successful farming region.
“I believe there are some tremendous opportunities for farmers and growers across the region to capitalise on in the coming years.
“We are seeing global food production dynamics changing as a result of emerging markets, a change in the ability to produce due to climate change and issues over water availability.
“This combined with the fact that we have a growing world population to feed means that we will be ideally placed to increase production to meet increasing demands.
“I also believe that key decision makers within both Government and the supply chain are beginning to realise that change is coming and are recognising the importance of engaging with producers and securing domestic food supply.”
He said while there were opportunities he was also “under no illusions” as to the challenges; including bovine tuberculosis, dairy prices, high speed rail, supermarket power and reform of the Common Agricultural Policy, CAP.
The 34-year-old said: “All our farming sectors face some major challenges and the coming months will see the CAP reform debate intensify as the NFU continues to lobby for a policy which is simple, encourages market orientation, increases farm competitiveness and is applied in a fair, non-distorting way across the European Union.
“The impact of TB is obviously a major concern for the region and the recent announcement on package of measures was hugely welcome and a step in the right direction.
“We are presently finalising our response to the consultation and working hard with NFU headquarters to ensure the West Midlands is represented and involved.
“The current situation with dairy and the issues within the market also needs our attention and the NFU will continue to do what it can to ensure the sector has a profitable and sustainable future.
“Now more than ever it is essential that we have a strong and powerful NFU within the region to feed in our views nationally in order that our collective voice is heard and our businesses and interests represented. “
He said he was looking forward to getting out and about to farms, livestock markets and heading to industry events and meetings to meet as many farmers and growers as possible.
Mr Mercer added: “With farmers’ input and engagement, the excellent regional team based at Telford and the strong group secretary network then I am confident that we can meet these challenges head on and exploit the opportunities.”
After graduating and working on farms around the UK and in New Zealand, Mr Mercer continued his career at the State Veterinary Service and the Welsh Assembly Government’s agricultural department.
He joined the NFU around eight years ago and was policy adviser for NFU Cymru, senior farm policy adviser and most recently chief livestock adviser at NFU headquarters based at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire.
He said: “I would like to thank my predecessor David Collier for all his hard work and dedication and wish him all the very best in his new role as NFU chief rural affairs adviser.”
Farmer Harry Johnson, NFU regional board chairman, who represents farmers across the region, said he welcomed Mr Mercer’s appointment and wished him success in the new role.
He said: “I look forward to working with John, this is a real opportunity for the region and there are exciting and challenging times ahead.
“We have some big issues on the horizon and I look forward to working closely with him on these to benefit all farmers and growers.
“I would also like to thank David Collier for his help and guidance, I am delighted he is remaining with the NFU and wish him every success in his new post.”
No comments have been made.