Your Hertfordshire county NFU update

Freya Samuel-Smith

Hertfordshire County Adviser

Hertfordshire County Show is always a fantastic shop window for the county's food and farming and it was great to see members on our stand in the farming and countryside area over the two days.

After a number of wet shows in previous years, it was the heat that brought challenges this time, with the livestock parade brought forward on the Sunday to allow cattle and sheep an early return to farms.

Thanks to County Chair Robert Law and the group secretary team for all their help on the NFU stand.

While County Adviser Freya Samuel-Smith recovers after an accident, Regional Network Manager Hannah Padfield continues to work on your behalf with your county management group.

This includes finalising plans for the county's pre-harvest health and safety event, taking place at Harps Farm, Bedlars Green CM22 7TL on 8 July.

This morning workshop will cover essential health and safety topics, likely to include ATV and quad bike safety, emergency first aid, vehicle and licence regulations, lone working and tyre safety. See below for more information and for details of how to book your place.

It's been a terrible start to the year on safety, with seven people killed in farming accidents in just seven weeks. It's vital we all make health and safety a priority and ensure everyone comes home safe.

Surveys and questionnaires

Have your say on police reform

Hertfordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Jonathan Ash-Edwards, is asking for the views of local residents and businesses regarding proposals to merge police forces across England and Wales.

In January, the government confirmed its intention to significantly reduce the number of police forces, which could see the existing 43 forces combined into as few as 12 larger, regional forces, as part of a wider package of reforms to the police. An independent review is being carried out to advise the government on how to take the force merger plans forward.

However, the review is not asking for the views of members of the public meaning it is unclear how much support for these changes exist. As the PCC is committed to providing a voice to the people of Hertfordshire, he has launched a four-week consultation to give residents and businesses the opportunity to have their say.

The PCC is keen to hear from farmers and landowners as part of the consultation.

Responses will be shared with the independent review and the government to inform their decision-making. This is your chance to have your say locally.

Start date

02 June 2026 at 12:00am

End date

21 June 2026 at 11:59pm

Complete the survey