Top grower to visit West Midlands
TOP NFU GROWER TO VISIT WEST MIDLANDS
West Midlands growers will have a special opportunity to discuss current issues affecting the horticultural industry when the NFU's National Horticultural Board chairman Richard Hirst visits the region on September 6.
Richard, who farms in Norfolk, will be attending an open meeting of the West Midlands Regional Horticultural Board at the YFC Centre, Hawford, near Worcester, at 10am.
He will be accompanied by the NFU's chief horticultural adviser Philip Hudson and all NFU grower members from across the region are invited to attend.
Anthony Snell, the West Midlands Regional Horticultural Board chairman and strawberry grower from Harewood End near Hereford, said: "We are delighted that Richard has accepted an invitation to visit the region to speak with growers about the many important issues being faced by horticultural businesses and to hear their views.
"This is a first class opportunity for local growers to hear at first hand about national policy development and I am very pleased that the NFU is able to offer this service to our grower members.
"Because of the importance of the occasion we are inviting all NFU grower members from across the region to join this special meeting and we look forward to a lively debate."
The meeting is likely to discuss issues such as the planning requirements for polytunnels which are used widely in the region, especially in Herefordshire.
The subject of migrant labour and the Government's consultation document on 'Managing Migration' is certain to arise because of the industry's need for a plentiful supply of labour for harvesting the many seasonal crops grown in the region.
Other matters such as water abstraction for irrigation and the rising cost of fuel are critical for the industry. Growers of protected crops under glass are facing an alarming rise in their heating fuel costs and this could place the future of some businesses under threat.
"These are all highly critical issues for growers and we are sure that some strong opinions will be voiced at the meeting," added Mr Snell.
Richard Hirst farms 380 hectares at Ormesby, Great Yarmouth and has a rotation of cereals, sugar beet, vining peas, potatoes and field scale salads and vegetables.
Growers who would like to know more about the detail of the meeting are asked to contact Andrew Richards, the NFU Senior Food and Farming Adviser on 01952 409238 or andrew.richards@nfu.org.uk
