An overview of meetings and activities undertaken by the NFU Horticulture and Potatoes board and team up to 3rd June.
The National Horticulture and Potatoes board met at the end of May to discuss sector priorities, plus the latest activities under National Living Wage. The meeting was held at Thanet earth and board members had an opportunity to see the glasshouse operation and speak to staff about their key challenges in the sector.
In addition…
Horticulture and Potatoes board chairman, Ali Capper:
- Met with growers in West Sussex to learn of their key sector concerns and update them on NFU activities.
- Was interviewed by the Financial Times on the impacts of the National Living Wage on the horticulture and potatoes sector and the implications of the proposal for a ‘points based’ immigration system by the Leave campaign.
Horticulture and Potatoes board member, Andrew Burgess:
- Attended a Parliament discussion group on EU Referendum with a particular focus on the outcomes for Agri Science & Farming.
- Attended a conference on Global Food Security and how science is tackling the issues of “Life after Pesticides.” He reported that the is a lot of exciting work happening but the question is whether it be delivered as fast as we are losing actives.
- Supported several events on LEAF Open Farm Sunday.
- Attended a Peterborough local branch farm walk at blueberry grower, Peter Mee’s farm.
Horticulture and Potatoes board member, Alex Godfrey:
- Chaired the Potato Forum meeting at Stoneleigh on 19th May which discussed a number of sector issues including NLW, plant protection, consumption, supply chain relationships and more.
- Gave a report at the national Horticulture and Potatoes board meeting on the output of the Potato Forum meeting and views on how to better engage with members.
Horticulture and Potatoes board member, Tim Papworth:
- Attended a meeting with the Broadland Catchment Partnership (BCP) where Rob Wise (NFU Regional Environment Advisor) was in attendance with a number of Norfolk Farmers to review the strategic plan which connects communities, organisations and businesses with the management of land and water. The BCP is co-hosted by the Broads Authority and the Norfolk Rivers Trust and was formed in 2012. The aim of the partnership is to improve water for the environment and provide wider benefits for people and nature at a catchment scale. It has several goals including: reduce run off of soil, nutrients and pesticides; increase water capture and efficiency; increase aquifer recharge; reduce fish barriers and control invasive species and increase sustainable use of water and wetlands.
- Did a Radio Norfolk interview with Cath Saunt on the effects of the National Living Wage on their business and other horticulture and potato businesses in the local area.
- Attended a Countryside Classroom at Salle Park where teachers from 15 primary schools from across Norfolk brought their classes to learn about agriculture, horticulture and the rural environment.
- Attended the NFU Potato Forum in Stoneleigh which discussed a number of sector issues including NLW, plant protection, consumption, supply chain relationships and more.
Horticulture and Potatoes board member, David Long:
- Spoke at the National Fruit show about the NFU’s priorities for the sector.
- Met with Keir Starmer MP in Kent with other growers to discuss immigration and seasonal workers and how these two things will affect Horticulture over the coming years. They also discussed what can be done to get a student workers scheme back in action and what this might look like.
- Met the Home Office, with Chris Hartfield, to discuss the NFU’s proposal of a new student workers scheme.
- Attended a British Growers event on Producer Organisations. At the meeting, David was asked to talk briefly about what the NFU was doing on NLW.
Horticulture and Potatoes co-opted board member, Robert Lockhart:
- Attended the NFU Potato Forum in Stoneleigh which discussed a number of sector issues including NLW, plant protection, consumption, supply chain relationships and more. At the meeting he reported on the continuation of the NFU work on wayleaves and the legislative obstacles that will delay the process.
- Joined NFU water policy adviser, Paul Hammett, at Harper Adams University to attend the stakeholder meeting of the DRY Project (The Drought Risk and You), a pioneering approach to better understand drought by bringing together a unique blend of hydrological and ecological science and stories from different water users to inform drought risk decision-making in England Scotland and Wales. At the meeting, they represented the position of farming in the supply chain.
Chief Horticulture and Potatoes Adviser, Chris Hartfield
- Gave an update on NLW and Catalyst for Change at the NFU Potato Forum meeting.
- Met with Keir Starmer MP in Kent with other growers to discuss immigration and seasonal workers and how these two things will affect Horticulture over the coming years. They also discussed what can be done to get a student workers scheme back in action and what this might look like.
- Met the Home Office, with David Long, to discuss the NFU’s proposal of a new student workers scheme.
Horticulture adviser (Field Veg and Potatoes), Lee Abbey:
- Gave a presentation to the Soil Association Organic Forum on the NFU’s work to increase fruit and veg consumption under the Fit for the Future initiative. The presentation received excellent feedback and Lee has arranged to talk further with some of the attendees about possible joint working.
- Attended the Potato Forum meeting and gave an update on Fit for the Future and how potatoes were fully involved.
- Gave an update to NFU regional advisers on current sector activities and, importantly, the benefits to members of the work.
Horticulture adviser (Ornamentals, Fruit and Glasshouse Crops), Amy Gray:
- Attended a BPOA Management Committee meeting.
- Visited David Long at his farm to discuss what more the NFU can be doing for fruit sector.