National Farmers’ Union (NFU) chiefs will be in East Anglia this week for a series of member consultation meetings about the future of the farming industry post-Brexit.
NFU president Meurig Raymond and vice president Guy Smith will be at various venues across the region as the farmers’ organisation continues its ‘biggest consultation for a generation’ following the nation’s decision to leave the European Union.
The five meetings, including one at Chelmsford in Essex and one on the Suffolk/Cambridgeshire border, will give NFU members the chance to help shape the development of crucial trade and agriculture policies after Brexit.
These form part of an ambitious programme of 50 meetings across England in just 24 days and follow an initial series of consultation meetings with East Anglian members in August.
NFU regional director Robert Sheasby said: “We want our NFU members to grasp with both hands the chance to share their views during what is the biggest consultation on the industry’s future in the NFU’s history.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for farmers to help determine the future of British farming.”
To help shape the debate, the NFU has developed an Options Paper covering five key areas: trade, access to labour, financial support, the environment and building competitiveness.
This - together with the two reports published by the NFU in the run-up to the referendum looking at our current relationship with the EU and the implications of Brexit for the farming industry – is designed to give farmers a detailed insight into a wide range of different options that could be considered as policies are developed.
Guy Smith will be at the he following venues today, September 12: 9.30am at the Icknield Centre, Letchworth Garden City, 1.30pm at Chilford Hall, Linton, and 7.30pm Writtle College, Chelmsford.
On Wednesday, September 14, Meurig Raymond will be at Barnham Broom Hotel, Norwich, at 9.30am and at the East of England Showground, Peterborough at 7.30pm.
Members wanting to attend should book a place by calling 01638 672100 or emailing meetingsea@nfu.org.uk
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