NFU Combinable Crops Board Chairman, Ian Backhouse, has presented his last update to NFU Council after four years of office and six years on the Board.Volatile markets - Markets indicated they were on their way down before Christmas, but after just one month there has been a difference of £15, due to world markets and currency fluctuations.
Mr Backhouse too the opportunity to go through some of the successes the board has had in the past four years, carrying on the work from the previous chairman, Arthur Hill:Our relationships with breeders: We now have a farm saved seed agreement which breeders now largely agree actually works; zero rated varieties procedures and reasonable deals on long term royalty rates have been agreed. Commercially, a change in policy in 2010 almost led to breeders convincing oilseed crushers to ban future farm saved seed use right across Europe, the NFU ensured this was overturned - farmers have the ability to save oilseeds for one generation only. We're still having difficulty in some areas outside the agreement and members must be fully aware of the contract terms they are faced with when purchasing seed.
We have been very active in ensuring a
practical mycotoxins risk management regime using research from HGCA and working with processors. This system works well and shouldn't cost a significant amount of money or waste as much milling wheat. We have saved several millions on delivering safe grain into the supply chain. We are putting pressure on DG Sanco and will seek an enabling regulatory approach for industry to manage risk at our next meeting in Brussels in February looking at other mycotoxins affecting barley and oats.
Sustainable Use Directive - part of VI regulations in pesticides, when the government responds it should have a minimal impact for the crops sector.
CFE: Cereals board and NFU members from across the country have acted as beacon farms, case studies, sat on committees and have done a great deal of work to promote the campaign and its measures.
We've also put a lot of effort in biofuels and ensuring the supply chain has the means and will to work with farmers to access this additional market.
On the electronic passport process - work has started with HGCA.
We have worked on
fertilisers to improve markets and availability on potash and alternative sources of nitrogen.
On Tractor and Trailer rules: NFU is leading at the Department for Transport with a well-reasoned proposal for greater weights and higher speeds on the road.
NFU President Peter Kendall thanked Ian for his commitment and work for the board over the past four years and Council gave him a round of applause.
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