Approximately 9,000 people visited the NFU stand over the four days.
President Tom Bradshaw, Deputy President Paul Tompkins, and NFU Vice-president Robyn Munt each visited the stand throughout the week, and NFU North Regional Chair William Maughan was among the many regional officeholders on hand to greet and speak to visitors. National and regional sector board chairs also attended the show.
On Tuesday morning, Tom, William, Agri-Tech CEO Steve McLean and Yorkshire farmer Sam Hoste kicked off the show with a panel press conference. Later that morning, Tom and North members held talks with the Efra Committee’s Alistair Carmichael and Josh Newbury on stand to highlight the key issues in the industry.
The President addressed a full tent on Tuesday afternoon before meeting York and North Yorkshire Mayor David Skaith, following the launch of his rural report.
On Wednesday, NFU Deputy President Paul Tompkins and members met the Tenant Farming Commissioner Alan Laidlaw and the RPA’s Chief Executive Oliver Munn and Customer Director Julian Mahoney, while NFU Senior Support Schemes Adviser Richard Wordsworth hosted one-to-one sessions with members on stand.
Then-Secretary of State Emma Reynolds and Farming Minister Stephen Morgan visited the stand on Thursday morning speak to NFU President Tom Bradshaw and North members. (Read more about this visit on page 80). Roundtable meetings and events took place on stand throughout the show, including livestock, dairy, sugar, poultry and crops hours.
Over the four days, officeholders and the NFU North team also met Defra, agricultural supply chain adjudicators, York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, West Yorkshire Combined Authority, North York Moors National Park CEO Tom Hind, bishops and church leaders, North Yorkshire Police, GSC Grays, FCN CEO Jude McCann, Myton Food Group, Morrisons, Asda and Co-op.
The NFU tent was a hive of activity in terms of political engagement, with MPs including Tom Gordon, Robbie Moore, Katie White, Luke Charters, Graham Stuart, Matt Vickers, Anna Dixon and Julian Smith all attending meetings on stand. Baroness Anne McIntosh and Lord Kirkhope also stopped by to speak with staff and members.
NFU North and NFU Mutual staff ensured visitors were catered for throughout the week, serving teas, coffees and cakes to showgoers.
The NFU’s presence at the show attracted significant media interest, with national and regional officeholders speaking to media outlets such as BBC Radio York, BBC Look North, ITV Calendar, Greatest Hits Radio, ITV Tyne Tees, Darlington and Stockton Times and The Northern Farmer.
The very best of British agriculture
Robert Lea, NFU North Network Manager, said: “The Great Yorkshire Show brings together the very best of British agriculture with over 8,500 animals, cutting edge machinery and technology. This attracts some of the industry’s most influential stakeholders which is where we really do make a difference.
“Members on stand or passing will have seen us engage with the secretary of state, Efra committee members, local authorities, industry officials and supply chain and retailer outlets over the four days. This does not happen by chance and is months in the planning. The impact we have over four days building lasting relationships, influencing change, and showcasing what Yorkshire farming delivers for the county and beyond is incredible. I would like to thank everyone that visited us or participated in meetings at the show, particularly our elected county representatives who worked alongside staff to deliver a professional, friendly environment for visitors.”
