By Matt Donald, pig and poultry producer, north Yorkshire
Another change in leadership at Defra has come about recently. I’ve lost count of how many this is over the last five years, but it is no wonder farming has little certainty when the secretary of state for farming and rural affairs changes so often. Each one trying to make their mark in an industry they seem to know so little about, farming businesses talk of staff turnover but it is not a patch on the government over recent years.
With little farm experience, the new SOS will need educating quickly when it comes to agriculture. The NFU do a solid job of lobbying to influence policy. To get on farm issues passed up the chain, the NFU Northern poultry group is a good way to start.
Meeting bi-monthly it is a great way to get out and see what other people do and hear from professionals, but also to get our heads together and discuss issues within the industry, or help each other out where we can.
A recent NFU North poultry meeting was a trip to Soanes Poultry in East Yorkshire, they very kindly showed us round the factory and it was a fantastic insight into a medium sized processing business that is still family owned. Their drive for locally, bred, grown and packaged in Yorkshire is a great brand to have. We were kindly given some samples to try at home and I’ll certainly be ordering some more!
Hopefully you are on the mailing list if you are in the North, but if not get in touch with your local NFU branch and get involved. The meetings are spread around the region to make it as accessible as possible for those wanting to attend. It sometimes feels like there is pressure coming from all angles against farming, but sticking together will give us the chance to keep doing what poultry farmers do best, feeding a nation with a great protein.