The trip was the latest activity in the two-year programme, which seeks to enhance members’ knowledge and skills through visits, training and attendance at key NFU events.
Frank Carr (Yorkshire West Riding), Gary Shipley, Guy Shelby (York East), Matt Barker, Thomas Watson (North Riding and Durham), Dave Wilkinson (Cheshire) and Stephen Taylor (Lancashire) were joined by Lancashire County Chair Becki Fielding, Northumberland County Chair Mac Young, NFU North Regional Network Manager Rob Lea, Northumberland County Adviser Charlotte Dring and North Riding and Durham County Adviser Laurie Norris on the two-day trip.
The first stop for the group on arrival in the capital was the NFU’s Westminster office. There, members heard an update on the NFU’s lobbying work from NFU Head of External Affairs Olivia Phoenix. NFU Chief Business and Farm Management Adviser Richard Potts then gave members insight into his team’s work. They discussed employment, trade, agricultural science and innovation.
The following day, the group visited Parliament, where they enjoyed a tour of the House of Commons and House of Lords.
The visitors were then invited to a group discussion with Baroness Anne McIntosh. Key topics discussed included energy, solar placement, environmental planning and flooding.
A worthwhile and positive visit
Attendee Matt Barker, an upland beef and sheep farmer from Richmond, said: “It was a fantastic trip. It gave us a massive insight into how the Westminster team are working constantly for us as members.
“It was so interesting to hear from the team. Unless you go down there you don’t see just what work goes on. It’s been really valuable for me - it fills you with confidence that someone is there working behind the scenes for us. Without the NFU, certainly in Westminster, we would be in a real pickle - things would be a hundred times worse than they are now without the NFU fighting our corner.”
Charlotte Dring, Northumberland County Adviser, said: “I thoroughly enjoyed escorting the Member Development group down to London. The trip was a fantastic opportunity to get to know people from outside of your own county and share experiences.
“Everyone got a lot from the trip in terms of being in Westminster, learning about the importance of the NFU role in London and the lobbying powers that they have. I think everyone was quite nicely shocked about how much influence the NFU has. It was a really worthwhile and positive visit.”