Leading farmer to chair The Voluntary Initiative

Wiltshire farmer Richard Butler has been appointed as chairman of The Voluntary Initiative (VI). He succeeds Professor Barry Dent who is retiring after successfully chairing the VI from its start ten years ago.

Mr Butler said: "I am delighted to take on this role. The VI has achieved a lot in its first decade. With new European legislation being implemented in the UK, it is vital that government, regulators and farmers make the most of existing voluntary schemes to keep red tape to a minimum.

"The VI now has an essential role to play in the next decade as British agriculture responds to the twin challenges of increasing production and reducing environmental impact."