The NFU and AHDB are embarking on a series of Brexit Roadshows across the country to meet farmers to discuss the political and economic outlook for the industry post-Brexit.
Ahead of a future consultation on an Agriculture Bill, the roadshows will continue the sector’s conversation with farmers about agriculture after Brexit. The first of 18 meetings to take place over the next few weeks will be held at the East of England Agricultural Society on Wednesday October 18.
NFU chief EU exit and international trade adviser Gail Soutar said: “Brexit is a top priority for the NFU and has the potential to bring a lot of change for our members’ businesses.
“We are engaged in every aspect of the negotiations affecting farming and it’s vital we continue developing our policy alongside our members. The NFU will ensure that when we’re making the case for farming to Government, the sector’s strategic importance and the need for farm businesses to remain productive, profitable and progressive is central.
“During the meetings the NFU Brexit team will present the organisation’s latest thinking on the development of a domestic agriculture policy aimed at helping farmers to mitigate volatility, enhance productivity and to deliver environmental benefits post-CAP.
“During the meetings we’ll also cover transitional arrangements required to ensure continuity and certainty for farmers when we leave the EU as well as giving members an update on the NFU’s trade, regulation and labour policy priorities.”
AHDB senior analyst Sarah Baker said: “The roadshows are a call to action for farmers to get fit for the future. The top 25% of performers in all sectors, regardless of size, will remain viable in all our post-Brexit scenarios, which sketch out the extremes.
“We will be continuing with this analysis as more information becomes available to ensure our levy payers are kept fully informed and are best positioned for the change ahead.
“In the meantime, the analysis shows that ‘wait and see’ is a high-risk strategy and that there is plenty that farm businesses can do now to mitigate the effects of Brexit. These roadshows are one of the ways AHDB is helping farmers and growers improve their performance and inspiring them to succeed in a rapidly changing world.”
NFU members can contact their regional office to book on to an event.
Roadshow dates, times and locations:
| Date | Time | Region | Venue |
| 18/10/2017 | Evening | East Anglia / East Midlands | East of England Agricultural Society, Peterbourgh Showground |
| 23/10/2017 | Evening | East Anglia | Suffolk Agricultural Society, Trinity Park, Ipswich |
| 23/10/2017 | Afternoon | South East | Salomons Estate, Broomhill Road, Southborough, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN3 0TG |
| 24/10/2017 | Afternoon | North East | Darrington Golf Club |
| 24/10/2017 | Evening | North East | Malton Rugby Club |
| 24/10/2017 | Morning | South East | The Half Moon, Sheet, Petersfield, Hampshire, GU31 4BE |
| 24/10/2017 | Afternoon | South East | Hampton House, Monument Park, Chalgrove, Oxfordshire, OX44 7RW |
| 25/10/2017 | Afternoon | North East | Alnwick Rugby Club |
| 25/10/2017 | Evening | North East | Scotch Corner, Holiday Inn |
| 31/10/2017 | Evening | North West | Stoneybeck |
| 31/10/2017 | Evening | West Midlands | Boden Room, Staffs County Showground |
| 31/10/2017 | Afternoon | South West | Hinton St Mary, Tithe Barn |
| 31/10/2017 | Evening | South West | Trethorne Leisure Park, Launceston, PL15 8QE |
| 01/11/2017 | Evening | North West | Garstang Country Club |
| 01/11/2017 | Evening | West Midlands | Ledbury RFC |
| 01/11/2017 | Morning | South West | Best Western Tiverton Hotel, Tiverton, EX16 4DB |
| 01/11/2017 | Afternoon | South West | Woodlands Golf and Country Club, Almondsbury, Bristol, BS32 4JZ |
| 02/11/2017 | Evening | West Midlands | NFU Stoneleigh |