What are the implications of Brexit for farming’s customers? Speakers from across the farming sectors will explore this theme when they gather at the NFU East Midlands’ Business after Brexit conference at 10am on Tuesday 21 November at the Newark Showground.
Chaired by NFU Deputy President, Minette Batters, the speaker line-up includes James Dallas, CEO of Openfield, David Christensen, from Arla amba’s Board of Representatives, HR Director of G’s, Beverly Dixon, John Dracup, 2 Sisters Red Meat Procurement Director, British Sugar Managing Director, Paul Kenward and HSBC Head of Agriculture, Neil Wilson.
Minette Batters said: “For sixteen months, NFU has been working with our members on the four key strategy areas that will have the most influence on the future for our farming and horticultural businesses: international trade, labour, regulation and a domestic agricultural policy. But what preparations have our partners in production and processing, those who are nearer to the consumer, been putting in place?
“Farming is the bedrock of the largest manufacturing sector in the UK: worth £109 billion to the economy. So the stability, sustainability and future direction of each of these multi-million pound businesses are crucial for farming’s profitability once we leave the EU. This event will provide a window on their thinking and I urge NFU members to take a morning off the farm to come along and listen to them.”
Nick von Westenholz, NFU’s EU Exit and International Trade Director, will round off the event to discuss NFU’s thoughts on the shape of a future domestic agricultural policy. He said: “There is still a great deal to be decided in a short period of time to enable UK farmers to run profitable and sustainable businesses, post-Brexit.
“Crucially, the NFU is suggesting a transition period to avoid instability immediately after the UK leaves the EU in 2019. This would replicate CAP for the first two years, with minor adjustments, while allowing time for an impact assessment of how farming will be affected by withdrawal.
“Only then can we move towards our ambitious vision for a future policy that enables farmers to manage volatility, whilst also improving productivity and supporting high environmental standards. We’re calling on Ministers to provide this much needed certainty for the farming and horticultural industries, not only on agricultural policy but also on the issues of trade and labour availability.”
The conference, in the Cedric Ford Pavilion at the Newark Showground, starts with coffee at 10am and will round up with lunch at around 1pm. NFU members can book to attend this free event by telephoning NFU East Midlands on 01572 824250 or emailing east.midlands@nfu.org.uk.
