Cambridgeshire sugar beet grower Michael Sly has been re-elected as chair of the NFU Sugar board.
Mr Sly, who also grows wheat, barley, oilseed rape, peas, beans and mustard on his Fenland farm, continues in the position he has held since 2017.
Mr Sly said: “I am delighted to have been re-elected chair of the Sugar Board for another year and would like to thank the board for their support.
“It is a critical time for the home-grown sugar industry, with a changing climate, future trade deals and fairness in the supply chain, all at a time when we’re coming to the end of the longest campaign in memory.
“It is a critical time for the home-grown sugar industry, with a changing climate, future trade deals and fairness in the supply chain, all at a time when we’re coming to the end of the longest campaign in memory.”
NFU Sugar Board chair Michael Sly
“My primary focus for the year ahead is to make sure we get a fair and equitable price for the 2025 contract, and ensure fairness in the supply chain for the longer term. Working alongside Simon and the board we will also continue to represent all growers of sugar beet in finding effective long term solutions to virus yellows disease.”
‘Fantastic farm to factory story’
Simon Smith, a sugar beet grower on the Cambridgeshire-Suffolk border, has been re-elected as vice chair.
He is one of the biggest sugar beet growers in the country and has been on the NFU Sugar board since 2015, after completing the Sugar Industry Programme.
On announcing the election results he said: “The home-grown sugar industry is one of the most efficient in the world, with a fantastic farm to factory story, and I’m proud to represent growers alongside Michael.
“There are plenty of areas that are of critical importance to growers, from plant protection products and seed to haulage and sustainability, and I’m looking forward to continuing my work on behalf of beet growers.”
