NFU cereals seminars to look at combinable crops sector's future

How farmers’ Levy Board money should be spent, the vision for the future of the combinable crops sector, and what the evolving EU sugar regime means for UK beet growers will be among the subjects discussed at a series of seminars on the NFU stand at Cereals 2007.

The seminars, which will run over the two days of the event in Cambridgeshire, are an ideal opportunity for farmers to air their views on some of the key issues and challenges facing the combinable crops sector.

Jonathan Tipples, chairman of the Cereals and Oilseeds Levy Board from April next year, will join NFU President Peter Kendall and NFU chief arable adviser Guy Gagen to discuss how levy board money should be spent and listen to what members want out of the board, at 11.30am on Wednesday June 13.

NFU combinable crops board chairman Arthur Hill will lead a seminar on the NFU’s vision for the combinable crops sector at 10.30am on Wednesday and 11.30am on Thursday. Among the issues under discussion will be the factors that will drive the cereals market now and over the next ten years, the next round of CAP reform and its impact on set aside land, the pitfalls in cereals contracts, and how arable farmers deal with modulation.

NFU chief arable adviser Guy Gagen said: “These seminars will look at some of the key issues facing the combinable crops sector and will give members a chance to share their thoughts on the challenges and opportunities the sector faces.”

The full programme of seminars is:
Wednesday June 13:
• 10.30am: The vision for the combinable crops sector (NFU combinable crops board chairman Arthur Hill, NFU combinable crops board vice chairman Ian Backhouse, NFU chief arable adviser Guy Gagen)
• 11.30am: How should your Levy Board money be spent? (NFU President Peter Kendall, Jonathan Tipples, Cereals and oilseeds levy board chairman, NFU chief arable adviser Guy Gagen)
• 2pm: Current policies and policy prospects for the cereal sector: the EU and US experiences (NFU chief economist Carmen Suarez)
• 3pm: An evolving EU sugar regime – what does it mean for UK beet growers? (NFU sugar board chairman John Hoyles)
Thursday June 14:
• 11.30am: The vision for the combinable crops sector (Arthur Hill, Ian Backhouse, Guy Gagen)
• 12 noon: European crop production – the new green horizon (NFU Vice President Paul Temple)
• 2.30pm: An evolving EU sugar regime – what does it mean for UK beet growers? (John Hoyles)

Notes to editors:

1. Cereals 2007 takes place at Vine Farm, Wendy, Cambridgeshire on Wednesday June 13 and Thursday June 14.

2. The NFU stand is number 436 and is located right in the heart of the event. From entrance one, proceed up the main walkway to the central walkway and turn right. From entrance two, proceed up the main walkway to the central walkway and turn left.
The NFU champions British farming and provides professional representation and services to its farmer and grower members.