NFU county chairmen to lead work in tough times
TWO new county chairmen have been appointed to lead the work of the NFU in the North East. Stocksfield dairy and conservation farmer Tom Richardson has become Northumberland chairman while beef, arable and poultry farmer William Maughan, who farms with his family near Darlington, has taken on the job in North Riding and Durham.
Mr Richardson said he wanted to help farmers during an important time for the agricultural sector.
He said: “With Covid restrictions still in place while we try to navigate the tremendous changes coming our way post-Brexit, an obvious priority has to be continuing to make the NFU as accessible as possible to our members.
“We are being bombarded with consultations right now - covering all aspects of our farming businesses and our relationships with the supply chain – and it’s hard to keep up.
“Members have shown real resilience over the last year and have adapted amazingly well to life online, but the pace is only going to quicken and we must be sure to help everyone navigate this period successfully.
“As well as the ‘big picture’ policy developments, we also have a lot of important local issues to deal with and these will be a priority in the coming months. In particular our response to the threat from Bovine TB will be crucial, if we are to maintain our largely disease-free status.”
He also wants to make farm safety a priority in his two-year term of office.
Mr Maughan said he was taking on the role at a challenging but crucial time for farmers.
He said: “Communication with our members will be crucial as we all try to keep pace with what’s happening on so many fronts across all sectors.
“But there are key issues of particular relevance to all local farms – the development of the new Environmental Land Management Scheme for one. I
know all members are anxious to see more detail on this, especially as our support payments start to reduce.
“I am also concerned about the prospects for tenant farmers – who make up such a large proportion of farms in our part of the world. It is vital we get a good outcome for these businesses, given the ongoing concerns over land use change, rental values and relationships with landlords.”
Mr Maughan will be working alongside new county vice chairman, arable specialist Brett Askew.