Horticulture and Potatoes board Chairman, Guy Poskitt, looks back at a successful NFU conference as well as the UK Grower Awards and a positive decision on the dummy pill
The NFU’s Plant Health Adviser, Don Pendergrast deserves a lot of credit, along with the Brassica Growers Association, in lobbying Defra and CRD, and the HDC technical support from was crucial too. It just goes to show what the industry can achieve if we all pull in the same direction.
The NFU conference was well attended last week and I am sure many of you were there and hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. I had the pleasure of meeting Liz Truss, Secretary of State, on the Monday night at dinner as well as hearing her on the Tuesday. Her vision of agriculture was fantastic with a full understanding of our industry statements like farmers need to farm not be form fillers; this was music to my ears. The minister also referred to the need for pesticides, with even more decisions being made on a local UK level. Focus on British food security and procurement was also high on her agenda. It is now up to us all to get MPs on your farms in the next few weeks and ensure we get a government that supports this because I am positive this is not the message from the opposition.
Phil Hogan the EU commissioner also gave a very practical and positive presentation wanting to simplify the CAP, minimise red tape, and possibly look for a European GSCOP. Hogan also talked very positively about the need of pesticides and the need for fair assessment based on facts not perception. However, he did add his hands were sometimes tied by the environmental lobby. Finally he was very committed to the fact that food security is part of political security overall; the most pro farming commissioner I have ever heard.
We also had an excellent breakout session on day one of conference, launching our sector Growth Plan for the next five years. We had a lot of engagement from our members which gave us reassurance our plan is on the right track.
Last week I visited QV foods, part of the Worth farming business in Holbeach. This was a great insight into their role with retailers. I also visited their drainage board of which
Duncan Worth is chairman. It is such a professional organisation, totally in control of their catchment area with little reliance on the EA. This sort of management must be an example to us all with the benefit of local knowledge giving a very efficient and reliable drainage structure. Many thanks to Duncan for his time.
Finally I attended the Grower Awards in London last week, an event which offers great recognition to all our horticultural members. I cannot stress the benefits that these awards can be to your business. Congratulations must go to Robert Farthing who won our sponsored award for Young Grower of the Year
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