Somerset arable farmer Mark Pope has been re-elected as chairman of the NFU Environment Forum.
Mark Pope said: “I would like to thank members on the Forum for re-electing me for another two years - a critical time for the farming sector. I’m looking forward to steering the Environment Forum during its contribution to the NFU’s post-Brexit agricultural policy.
“Farmers and growers are custodians of the great British countryside. We help protect, maintain and enhance our countryside, but also produce high quality, safe and affordable food. Brexit presents us with opportunities to do things in a simpler, more cost effective way. This is not about lowering environmental standards, but rather about establishing policies that are outcome-focused, evidenced based and established on sound science.
“The NFU will continue to seek certainty on future rounds of Countryside Stewardship before the UK leaves the EU. Until this happens, we will continue seeking improvements to the Countryside Stewardship scheme.
“Farming is often unpredictable. It can be at the mercy of extreme weather, but more frequent, more extensive and longer duration flooding is an unsustainable and inequitable outcome. Following the launch of the NFU’s Flooding Manifesto earlier this year, working with the Environment Forum, I will continue to push the principal policy asks on flood and coastal risk management that call for commitments on proper planning, protection of agricultural land and adequate funding for flood management solutions.
“Above all I would like to see a competitive and progressive farming sector that is profitable as profitable farm businesses are more likely to invest in the environment.”