I was delighted to be voted in again for the role of regional board chair for a second term.
We have a fantastic region representing all farming sectors.
I am always not only proud of the region itself, with arable, dairy, livestock, pigs, poultry, sugar and horticulture produced to such high standards here, but also of those who represent members on the board itself, who are exceptional.
To be able to access not only experts in their own sectors, but to have input from board members with knowledge of the environment, the value and role of data as well as legal expertise, academia, agronomy – the list goes on – is truly inspirational.
I was especially pleased to be voted for a second term to work alongside my other regional chairs with new faces from the South and the East. We have a strong bond as a group and are very active in feeding members’ concerns both ways.
This term of office I am really looking forward to be working with our new national officeholder team of President Tom Bradshaw, Deputy President Paul Tompkins and Vice-president Robyn Munt, as well as our new Director General Sophie Throup.
There is a noticeable fresh approach and new energy around HQ, which can only be beneficial.
“How we all work alongside the wonderful regional staff, and group secretaries too is really what makes the NFU member-led organisation so unique.”
Jane Bassett
As always, it takes time to build up relationships and, by doing a second term, I can be more effective, direct board members when they ask for advice and support and be a stronger advocate for Midlands farmers and growers second time around.
Looking back on previous term
One of the proudest moments of my first term was, of course, the announcement on 23 December of the raising of the tax threshold on IHT. What a day that was.
From early on that day via an MP contact we did not dare to believe, then the news unfolded. As a board alongside members, others and staff, boy did we lobby hard and we pulled it off. Not perfect, but a far better breathing space for many.
Representing the Midlands at the National Harvest Service at Westminster Abbey was a special day too, as Camilla glided by in front of us to hear some very poignant readings and a lovely service.
So rewarding
Meeting members at shows, watching the Midlands Younger Member Events develop and bond as a group, seeing the Midlands Future Leaders cohort grow in confidence and then nominate themselves for roles in their own right and nominating members for recognition, such as the National Women in Dairy awards, who then become finalists, has been so rewarding.
As your chair, being invited to the Back British Farming Day Westminster reception to fly the flag for British agriculture, and also taking part in various other parliamentary receptions, was eye opening – sometimes you are in the minority pressing the case for British farming.
My previous term as chair started with a bang with the bombshell of Red Tractor and its plans for the Green Farm Commitment. NFU Midlands Regional Board (and David Brookes) firmly and swiftly put down a marker: enough was enough and the resolution was raised to council. What followed afterwards was an overhaul of Red Tractor which only now is nearing completion.
As we went through the lobbying work we did on IHT, which was a huge undertaking, there were varying views from some people of how to get the industry message across and who we told that message to.
It’s important that we have discussion, but we are more effective if we work together, and we are lucky to have a strong team. Our NFU values are stronger now: professional, inclusive, resourceful and united.
Profitability is the key
The geopolitical challenges affecting input prices are financially painful for us all and it is how we can best mitigate those costs.
Profitability is the driver of innovation, productivity, control of disease and pests, on-farm safety and farmer wellbeing too. This has to be an immediate focus of the next term, alongside our key policy asks on water in all its guises, animal and plant health, safe and secure farms and the huge piece of work on infrastructure and development.
Another key focus from the board will be on health and safety. The huge spike in fatalities has really focused our efforts to drive those figures down for the long term. We will also continue to work across all political parties in the region to highlight not only the challenges the industry faces, but also the opportunities out there and how any barriers can be broken down.
We must also continue to build links with younger farmers to see the work that the NFU does. It is always a revelation when this work is shown and displays the value of membership and representation at every level.
Thanks to Mark and welcome to Heather
I must give thanks to Mark Meadows, who was vice-chair of the board, for giving me support and always being available as a sounding board too.
I am delighted that Helen Fisher from Warwickshire is the new vice-chair of the board, she, like me, has come through the Future Leaders course route.
Helen will, and does, bring fresh perspectives and ideas – which are vital in changing times for the industry.