New challenges to face as FMA says farewell

The agricultural supply industry faces the challenge of establishing "concrete credibility" with both government and the general public, says Stan Denby, President of the Fertiliser Manufacturers Association.

Speaking at the FMA's final Annual Dinner and paying tribute to the 128-year-old FMA, Mr Denby spoke of his hopes that the Agricultural Industries Confederation would be as, or even more successful than the Association. Members had voted earlier that day at the FMA's annual meeting to join forces with UKASTA and the Agricultural Distributors Association to form the AIC.

Mr Denby believes the AIC - the body which will succeed the FMA - was being formed at the right time as "...government is changing agricultural policy from being standalone into a vital but inseparable link in an integrated food chain."

"The agricultural community has failed over the years to sell itself effectively to its customer, the consumer. AIC has to sell the story of the agricultural supply industry to as wide an audience as possible, so people hear what we say, understand what we are telling them and support what we are doing.

"There is a need for change in order to be sustainable. Today we have closed a chapter of history that has run unbroken, but not unchanged, since 1875. The FMA established an enviable record of achievement and an ability to cope in the face of change, particularly over the past 25 years," says Mr Denby.

"But we now require a voice of wider constituency to effect a meaningful impact, as there are increasingly issues whose relevance transcends sectorial interests.

"AIC will be able to operate more effectively than the sum of its parts as it benefits from the experiences and diversity of views and enable the industry to integrate more closely, and become a valued and respected contributor, with all aspects of the food chain," says Mr Denby.

The president and members thanked the FMA Secretariat for their commitment and dedication. Director General David Heather, Jane Salter, Ros Lightfoot and Mel Randall all go onto positions within the AIC.