Worcestershire farmers pack county meeting at Hawford

 The NFU county annual general meeting, led by county chair Oliver Surman, was held at the YFC Centre, at Hawford, on November 26 and welcomed more than 60 farmers, growers and industry stakeholders.

Meetings with Worcestershire MPs as part of the NFU mass lobby event in London and the impact of changes to inheritance tax on family farms were discussed alongside a host of other sector issues.

The impact of Storm Bert on farmland, people’s homes and businesses, the spreading of organic manures and fertiliser, herd and flock health, industry challenges and other pressing industry business also featured prominently.  

The meeting welcomed NFU director of communications and external affairs James Clark who addressed the audience and took farmer questions. 

Reports were also heard from Mr Surman alongside those representing county farmers on regional and national sector boards, as well as branch news from those representing the county from Kidderminster to Evesham and Redditch to Malvern.

County farmers’ efforts to raise more than £12,000 for rural charity RABI were also highlighted following a successful dinner and auction last month and other fundraisers over the past year. 

Mr Surman, who farms at Upton on Severn, said: “I see first-hand what the NFU does and what happens at NFU Council and I can tell everyone that the level of support is immense, they are working with us with their heart and soul and that goes right down to a county and branch level from our group secretaries, NFU staff and grassroots farmers.

“We are also working closely with the next generation as you have heard but we must encourage all farmers to engage with the NFU as without that support and the work that is done, often behind-the-scenes, we would be in a much worse position.

“Members and officeholders will also join with me in thanking NFU county adviser Emma Hamer who not just goes the extra mile on our behalf but an extra 10 miles, which is why Worcestershire is the top performing NFU county in the country.”

NFU group secretaries Louise Sapwell and John Hill, who represent farmers in Kidderminster, were also commended for their membership efforts throughout the year and were named best performing county group. 

Farmer James Appleby was confirmed as NFU Council delegate for Worcestershire for a further term having been elected at a previous meeting. 

Michael Oakes, who has stepped down as national dairy chair, was thanked extensively for his sterling efforts on behalf of the sector but also for his tireless work on NFU Council backing county farmers and growers at the highest level.

NFU Council is the senior democratic body of the NFU, made up of elected farmers from across the country, that meets to discuss the future direction of the organisation’s work. 

At the annual meeting Mr Oakes was made an honorary life member of Worcestershire NFU for his services to the county, dairying and the wider agriculture and horticulture industry. 

Mr Oakes said it was a huge surprise and he thanked farmers for the support over many years in the various NFU roles he has held at a local branch level right the way through to his work nationally as a senior officeholder.