Wakely, who farms near Dorchester, was given the award, which is named after the NFU’s former President, for the time and energy he has put into campaigning for a fair and sensible solution to pollution issues in the Poole Harbour catchment and was hailed by the judges as an “incredible advocate” for the farming industry in Dorset.
Collaborative effort
Wakely said: “I’m very grateful to receive this award, it came as a total surprise to me and I’m very thankful for it all.
“From my point of view, it’s nice to be recognised for the work that one does and I’m very happy for the recognition but it’s all part of a huge collaborative effort behind the scenes that all of us do to get the result that we want.
“Hearing the reception when I was announced in the room was a very nice surprise; it was very kind to be nominated amongst all the other many worthy farmers who work tirelessly across the region.”
As chair of the Poole Harbour agricultural group, Wakely has been pivotal in representing the sector over the last 10 years, working with industry and regulators to find practical solutions to tackling diffuse pollution in the harbour.
Pioneering scheme
“It’s not just me; it’s every member of the team who are working hard together for this result.”
Meurig Raymond award winner Wakely Cox
Wakely, working alongside the NFU, has been a driving force in finding a solution which allows farming to continue in the catchment. The outcome has been a pioneering nutrient trading scheme in the Poole Harbour nutrient management scheme, the first of its kind.
Two hundred farmers have signed up to the scheme and whilst there is still much challenge, not least the nutrient accounting tool on which the scheme relies, Wakely continues to drive the project forward, to ensure that farming in the catchment can continue in a meaningful way.
No easy task
NFU South regional director Tom Rabbetts said: “Setting the scheme up and dealing with such a contentious issue amongst the farming community in the catchment was no easy task.
“Wakely has weathered this with a positive attitude and good humour, always looking at the bigger picture – a true leader in his field. He has also not hesitated to hold key partners to account when needed, repeatedly challenging the Environment Agency to do more and to do better to deliver what farming needs from the scheme.
“Wakely and his family have hosted no end of Defra Ministers and EA/NE top brass on farm to highlight the issues in the harbour, to make the case for farming and to highlight what the sector needs from any scheme.”
Farming roots
Wakley’s farming roots run deep. He met his wife, Caroline, at a Young Farmers Club meeting and actively supports her work with the RABI, hosting charity meetings and events at their home as well as being a pivotal board member of the Dorset County Show.
Wakely now dedicates time to supporting others with similar issues in nearby catchments, helping new groups of farmers faced with similar challenges.
Our congratulations to Wakely on this well-deserved award.