It is time to start fighting. This is the message of the Essex National Farmers Union chairman who has just been re-elected for his second term.
Peter Hawes, of Deersbrook Farm in Shalford Green near Braintree, is urging the Government to make a belated New Year resolution to get behind farming and help the industry return to profitability.
He was elected last week at the annual meeting of the Essex NFU for a second term as county chairman and said farmers recognised the need for change but also needed positive policies to help farming back into the black.
"I'd like to see Government resolve to drastically cut the red tape that farmers face, and to fight hard in Europe for British agriculture," said Mr Hawes, 54, who moved to Deersbrook Farm from the family farm in Suffolk in 1991.
Initially Deersbrook Farm was a 220 acre tenancy, but three years ago Mr Hawes bought the farm and the family now farm 400 acres of arable land and 2,000 acres of grassland, spread over 13 different sites in a 25 mile radius of Shalford Green.
Speaking about the state of farming after he was re-elected, Mr Hawes added: "There will be some crucial decisions made in Brussels this year which will affect our industry, so it's vital that members lobby their MEP and MP at every opportunity.
Published Monday, January 20, 2003
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