By Gary Ford, head of producer engagement, BFREPA
As a key and growing sector of British agriculture we are proudly self-reliant – being able to rely on ourselves – our own judgment, abilities, and resources – without needing constant help or support from others. Self-reliance is a good thing as it means we find practical and pragmatic solutions to problems and challenges rather than looking to someone else for the answer. That does not mean to say that we cannot help and support each other particularly at times of need. That could be at a ‘bigger picture level’ for example lobbying for a Housing Order or engaging with our MP over the Ukrainian trade deal or it could be at an ‘individual level’ helping with pinch points on the farm, for example with movement licences.
I am a strong believer in the principle of ‘give support to get support’. We all need help at some point in our business and personal life no matter how confident we are or appear to be. Things will always go wrong or not as we had planned or intended despite our best efforts. Perhaps the best example of this is when a fellow producer is experiencing life as a bird flu Infected Premise (IP). We try and ‘buddy up’ other producers who have been through the same experience so that they can give empathy as well as pragmatic advice, help and support at a time when it is most needed. When you give support you get it when you need it.
As we move into a New Year and continued worries with bird flu and other diseases, as well as uncertainty around the direction of government policy and decisions that seem to fly in the face of our sector, please let us remember that we all need help from time to time. Do not hesitate to give that support and do not be afraid to ask for that support.