I’d like to thank former chair James Mills for all his hard work during his term – he was an exceptionally good chair.
I have been on the regional Crops Board for four years as York East Crops Representative and have been involved with the NFU for 35 years.
I farm at North Dalton near Driffield on the Yorkshire Wolds in partnership with my brother. We are third-generation farmers – our family have farmed the land since 1936. We have 380 acres, growing seed and milling wheat alongside break crops of rape and beans. I also let out land for potatoes and have a sheep flock, lambing 75 ewes.
Arable farming is close to my heart. I’ve met some really nice people in my time as York East Crops Representative and I have enjoyed my work. Education is important to me - I’m involved with the Driffield Agricultural Society’s Schools Education Day, which attracts 1500-1800 children every year.
I am looking forward to my term as crops chair. At the moment there doesn’t seem to be a great deal of transparency on how SFI is going to work so we’ll be working to make sure we have that transparency. Another topic we’re working on is dynamic realignment, which has the potential to cause big problems for the sector.
Our meetings are open to all members and it’s important that you come along and have your say and help us to help you. I’m keen to move our meetings around the region to ensure all members have the opportunity to attend. Keep an eye on your email inbox and NFU North social media for upcoming regional crops board meeting dates.
I am always open to listening to members and would encourage anyone who has concerns they’d like to raise with me to contact the board secretary Laurie Norris at [email protected]. It’s very important that you also contact your MPs and get your concerns over to them. We are an effective lobbying organisation – we’ve had good success and we’ve got to keep that up.