Guy Gagen – Chief combinable crops adviser explains why the NFU Harvest survey is crucial on many different levels.
He writes:
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And what’s even more critical is the numbers behind the harvest. For you, the data will determine profitability. For the NFU, the data will ensure we’re armed with the most robust evidence to back our arguments when lobbying at a Westminster and EU level.
This is why the NFU Harvest Survey is so important.
We have two very important milestones for plant protection products this year: both glyphosate and neonicotinoid seed treatments will be reviewed by the European Commission. Harvest data from farmers like yourselves is already being scrutinised as part of this review.
The NFU develops its positions from the ground up. While regulators understand this, they also rely on the NFU backing up the information we provide to support a policy ask- this can be with data from the grass-roots of our membership.
If you are a member and would like to participate, please click here.
Remember you only have until September 27th. Alternatively, you can download a paper version here.
The surveys we ask you to complete are carefully designed to be fair and stand up to challenge of providing robust facts. But the results are only of any use in this way if enough members respond, partly to ensure they are robust, and partly to help ensure respondents are not identifiable. This means every response counts - to us and, more importantly, to your business.
Who knew basic form-filling had such gravitas? Your submitted data on yields and planted area year-on-year keep the farming industry ahead of the game. And as harvest comes to an end for most of the country we hope farmers will, anonymously of course, contribute their figures. The bonus being that the new CAT smartphone, designed to perform in all weather, is up for grabs for one lucky winner.