My introduction to the NFU was with the Uplands Forum, with all the members welcoming me and encouraging input straight off the bat.
As you would expect, the forum members never held back on issues of the day and all members were so invested in helping our sector through the transitional post-Brexit period, with the design of ELM (Environmental Land Management) schemes front and centre at all of our meetings under the stewardship of chair, Thomas Binns.
I now find myself with the new NFU structure representing all the uplands in the south of England.
I have been doing so now for six months in partnership with Dave Stanners, my northern counterpart, and the team at NFU.
As part of that role I also sit on the National Livestock Board and have enjoyed very much meeting the new team and engaging on wider livestock sector issues, of which there are plenty!
“Our industry is undergoing a massive transition and I am proud of the efforts of the whole NFU team in fighting our corner, helping to root out the unintended consequences of some of the ELMs offers, and developing solutions.”
A challenging start
There is so much still to do with ELM development and roll-out and this past six months has been a real challenge with the announcement of the SFI24 offer only happening days before government shut down for the general election this summer.
This was a really frustrating period as we felt the moorland, uplands and grassland offers left our upland members short changed and, due to the pre-election period, no one from Defra or government was available to receive feedback or comment on the SFI offer as it stood.
Since the new government was formed, we have been working hard to put our case to Defra and ministers around the uplands ELMs offer and its shortcomings. They have been keen to learn and have welcomed feedback.
The issue is that time is short and the SFI24 offer in Defra’s eyes is nearly baked, but rest assured the uplands team are fighting our corner and there is a lot to do.
Supporting our sector
Meetings have taken me around the country to Lancashire, the Cotswolds, London, Stoneleigh and Swindon with plenty of online Teams meetings in between. It has been a big investment in time for myself and my family.
I am from a fairly traditional upland hill farm on Dartmoor and I am still running and working the business day to day – it is tough when you are called away or not at home.
That said, I feel passionately that uplands and livestock should have a sustainable, thriving future and the short-term sacrifice is worth the fight.
The team at NFU have been very supportive and proactive, and Dave Stanners and I have a good handle on the challenges around running uplands businesses, and the challenges and consequences that poor ELM offers will bring to our future.
Our industry will always face challenges in a global market and a shrinking world, and we are only ever a virus or bug away from catastrophe.
We are undergoing a massive transition and I am proud of the efforts of the whole NFU team in fighting our corner, helping to root out the unintended consequences of some of the ELMs offers, and developing solutions.
There is a lot of good content in the ELMs offer, but it is our job to shape and secure a sustainable future, not only for the uplands but for every sector, allowing thriving, sustainable farming businesses which deliver thriving environments, landscapes and nature for all.
