Former NFU Horticultural Chairman dies

Michael Holmes, a former chairman of the NFU's National Horticulture Executive committee and a passionate advocate for the horticulture sector for more than 40 years, has died at the age of 70.

Michael, who was awarded the OBE in the 2004 New Year's Honours, passed away on January 2. He served as the Lincolnshire and South Humber delegate on the Central Horticulture Committee from 1978 until 1996, when it was disbanded and the Horticultural Executive was formed. He chaired the Executive until 2003, when NFU restructuring led to the establishment of the Board for Horticulture

As well as this, Michael was an NFU Council member from 1989 until 2003 and served on the NFU's Agricultural Wages Board group from 1996 until 2004. He was also a major figure in the horticulture sector in the Lincolnshire and Humber area, chairing and serving on a wide range of NFU committees, and was the NFU's spokesman on public procurement issues involving the agricultural and horticultural sectors. He also served on the NFU's legal committee/board from 1994 until the time of his death and did a lot of invaluable work for the NFU's Legal Assistance Scheme.

Outside the NFU, he was a member of the Horticultural Research International Board and a founder member of the Horticultural Development Council, as well as a Director of the Processed Vegetable Growers Association.

NFU horticulture board chairman Richard Hirst said: "Michael's contribution to the horticulture sector was enormous and he did much to help improve the situation of growers on a regional and national level. He was a great advocate for the sector and he will be greatly missed."