New NFU livestock chairman vows to tackle key sector issues

Richard Yates, of Middleton Scriven, near Bridgnorth, was named as the new NFU West Midlands livestock board chairman at a meeting this week after he was elected unopposed.

The farmer who has sheep, cattle and a dairy herd as well as arable and cereal interests, takes over from out-going chairman Rob Alderson, who farms at Onibury.

Mr Yates officially becomes livestock chairman after NFU Conference and annual general meeting, in Birmigham, on February 21.

As regional chairman he will raise county and regional livestock views with NFU headquarters, lobby on local issues and represent the region on the national board.

Mr Yates said: "I am delighted to take on this role and we are at a critical juncture for British farmers, especially livestock producers.

"As a sheep farmer who has just finished lambing 400 ewes, with 33 per cent of my lamb destined for Europe, I question the viability of that market place once we have left.

"There is such uncertainty regarding the sheep industry and that is a matter of concern but it also gives us opportunities, with potential new markets opening up all over the world - I am heartened by the Prime Minister's foray into China.

"I intend to represent grass roots farmers, of which I like to think I am one, who regularly rises at 5am to milk my cows before I tend to my 900-strong ewe flock and 200 cattle."

He said there was a need to continue to champion farmers as responsible managers of the land and livestock and to flag up affordable, traceable British food which people demanded.

"I also intend to build on the work I have done previously, promoting the provenance and value of British meat," he added.

"As we prepare to leave the EU we will hopefully no longer be governed by over-zealous EU purchasing restrictions and I would implore our Government to Back British Farming.

"I would like to see more British food across the public sector, for our troops, in hospitals and schools and we need to see our politicians placing their trust in British food which is produced to some of the highest standards in the world."

Mr Alderson thanked his deputy John Parry and wished Mr Yates and new deputy, Richard Spencer, every success although he would continue to represent Shropshire farmers on the board.

He said: "I would like to thank fellow farmers for their support during my time in office, the regional team at Telford and the staff at NFU headquarters, at Stoneleigh.

"The people we can access, to negotiate and lobby for the industry, shows the union's strength and I'm proud to have been a part of it and will continue to do so away from the chairman's role.

"There are big challenges ahead but big things have been achieved already, the work will never stop, but we have gained some momentum and monumental wins to benefit the sector."

Just last week a vote by European Commission's standing committee on plants, animals, food and feed allowed EU member states greater clarity on sheep going into the food chain.

Farmers will now be able to more accurately age sheep after a clear result of NFU efforts spanning many years.

The vote result will pave the way for the UK Government to allow farmers, market operators and abattoir owners to use a cut-off date rather than have the additional burden of checking the teeth of sheep to determine whether an animal is over 12 months old.

This, in turn, indicates whether the carcass needs to be split to remove the spinal cord, which is required by the regulation.

Mr Alderson said: "This is a big win and evidence provided by the NFU, and subsequent work calling for a simplification of the system for the livestock industry has paid off.

"This new flexibility is long overdue and it will help to add real value.

"This is one of a number of issues I have worked on relentlessly with the team and we were thrilled to see the UK Government supporting the EU Commission on this issue.

"There are other challenges ahead and we will continue to represent the sector with Richard at the helm."