Farmers’ leader Andrew Watts has vowed to fight severe seed shortages as a priority after landing a top European Union role.

The National Farmers’ Union combinable crops chairman was elected chair of the Seeds Advisory Committee to DGAgri, an influential committee in Brussels. He will be in post for the first review of all European seed legislation in 40 years. A more flexible legal framework to account for modern farming practice is needed, he said.

“This is a crucial time for arable farmers. The last 10 months of poor weather have been well documented and the impact on the 2012 harvest in England and Wales has been evident to all. Across Europe farmers are facing severe spring seed shortages,” he said.