Michael Sly receives an MBE in Birthday Honours

02 June 2022

NFU Sugar chair Michael Sly in a field holding sugar beet

We send our congratulations to Michael Sly on receiving an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for his services to agriculture in East Anglia.

NFU Sugar Board chair Michael Sly has been made an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours in recognition of his service to agriculture in East Anglia.

Saving mustard production

Michael is the chair of English Mustard Growers and played a pivotal role in saving English mustard production in the UK.

He has served as NFU Sugar Board chair since 2017.

“Without his passion for the crop, we would no longer be growing English mustard in this country.”
Minette Batters, NFU President

A champion of British farming

NFU President Minette Batters said: “I am absolutely delighted that Michael has been recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for his services to agriculture in East Anglia, where he has championed British farming for decades.

“Not many people realise that they have Michael to thank every time they enjoy a taste of Colman’s English Mustard. Without his passion for the crop, we would no longer be growing English mustard in this country.”

Sharing his love of farming with the public

“With other local growers, Michael has kept alive the centuries-old tradition of the Fens supplying this iconic crop to Colman’s English Mustard and I know he is resolute in keeping that tradition going for centuries to come. It is a fantastic achievement,” Minette went on to say.

“Michael’s passion for farming is rivalled only by his enthusiasm to share it with the public and for more than 15 years he has hosted tens of thousands of people on his farm every year to learn about food, farming and its history in the Fens.

“I’d like to join everyone in congratulating him on today’s wonderful achievement and look forward to continuing to work with Michael as a fellow farmer and NFU Sugar Board chairman.”


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