Robyn, who leads on Uplands, Tenants and the Agricultural Transition, visited Northumberland, County Durham and Cumbria on her two-day tour of the North.
Robyn met North Uplands Chair Dave Stanners on farm near Hexham to discuss Uplands policy before speaking with a group of Uplands farmers including Northumberland County Chair Mac Young and Council Delegate Richard Oglesby in Allendale. They discussed issues affecting Northumberland members and the challenges and opportunities of managing the Uplands.
In County Durham, Robyn met regional officeholders including North Riding and Durham Chair Clare Wise, Council Delegate William Maughan and National Poultry Board Chair Will Raw.
On Thursday, Robyn spent time with former National NFU Uplands spokesman Will Cockbain in Keswick and members Andrew and Kate Sutton in Kendal. Discussions focused on the need for robust conversation with Natural England around how the Uplands are managed and the importance of the farmers’ voice being heard.
For Robyn’s final meeting of the tour, she met Lancashire County Chair Becki Fielding, Council Delegate John Alpe, Cumbria County Chair Richard Pedley, Kendal Group Secretary Sarah Kitching and some local members. Discussion centred on the reintroduction of White-Tailed Eagles in Cumbria and the future direction of agricultural support schemes.
Members' perspective
NFU North Regional Director Adam Briggs said: “Robyn met a wide range of members and she really got a feel for the uplands and the challenges facing farmers in the North. It was a fantastic opportunity for Robyn to hear members’ perspective on what the solutions could be and particularly what they want the NFU to do.
“The members who spoke to Robyn valued her visit, were impressed by her knowledge and grasp of the issues so early on into her role as Vice-president and said Robyn’s passion for the industry shone through.
“Thank you to Robert Philipson from Allendale, Will Cockbain from Keswick and Andrew and Kate Sutton from Kendal for hosting Robyn during her time in the North.”