As harvest finishes, show season is rounded up and land work begins, it has been another busy month representing members' interests, planning future activity and preparing for some important events in the weeks ahead.
One of the key areas of focus nationally has been the NFU's work highlighting the financial pressures facing farm businesses. Many members will have seen the recent launch of the NFU's campaign calling for access to government-backed short-term loans to support farming businesses through the current challenges. The campaign follows discussions at a farming roundtable which brought together industry representatives to explore practical solutions and emphasise the need for immediate support to safeguard the future of British agriculture.
With rising input costs, challenging weather conditions, market uncertainty and increasing regulatory pressures, many businesses are feeling the strain. The NFU continues to press government to recognise the importance of maintaining a resilient and productive farming sector and ensuring farmers have access to the support they need to continue producing food for the nation. For further information, click the link to NFU Online below:
NFU convenes farming roundtable to agree action to safeguard future of farming – NFUonline
Closer to home, on Back British Farming Day on 9 September, we attended County Hall in Morpeth, showcasing some of the excellent locally made food and produce grown and reared by local NFU members. Alongside a tractor display and our Northumberland Farmers' Market stall, the event provided an opportunity to engage with councillors, invited guests and members of the public about the importance of food security and the vital role farming plays in supporting local communities, the economy and the environment. We had much support from council staff and councillors on the day and lots of conversations. Thank you to Turnbull's of Alnwick for their generosity and support on the day.
This year's event was particularly timely given the challenges facing the sector, including ongoing drought conditions in some areas and the continued spread of Bluetongue. The disease remains a significant concern for livestock producers, and I would urge all livestock keepers to remain vigilant, stay up to date with the latest guidance and speak to their vet if they have any concerns. Awareness and preparation remain key as the industry works to minimise the impact of the disease. Stay up to date on all thing Bluetongue and rewatch the national webinar, all from the webpage below:
Bluetongue (BTV-3) | Latest information, guidance and updates from the NFU – NFUonline
I would also like to draw members' attention to the launch of the next NFU North Member Development Programme. This 18-month programme is designed to bring together aspiring leaders from across the region, offering training, networking opportunities, industry visits and insight into the work of the NFU. Delegates will develop valuable skills in leadership, media engagement, advocacy and governance while gaining a greater understanding of the agricultural supply chain and policymaking process. The programme includes opportunities such as a Westminster visit, media training, attendance at NFU Conference and sector board engagement. We are currently looking for enthusiastic members from Northumberland and North Durham who would benefit from the experience and may be interested in becoming more involved in the NFU in the future. If you know someone who would be a good fit, or if you would like to find out more yourself, please get in touch. The programme is designed to build confidence, develop skills and help prepare the next generation of NFU representatives and officeholders.
Alongside these activities, I have been continuing to work on the county programme for the coming membership year, ensuring we have a strong mix of policy, business, development and social events available for members. We have some exciting plans already taking shape, and I look forward to sharing more details in the months ahead.
Finally, a reminder to keep an eye on our County WhatsApp Broadcast Channel, which remains the quickest way to hear about local events, policy updates, consultations and opportunities to get involved. If you haven't yet joined, please contact me and I'll make sure you're added.