15 July 2011

"Encourage young people to forge a career in agriculture and breathe life into rural communities," was the message taken to Agriculture Minister Jim Paice this week by members of the National Federation of Young farmers' Clubs (NFYFC).
 
The delegation included NFYFC chairman James Chapman, vice chairwoman Milly Wastie and Farming Online's social networking co-ordinator Matthew Sharp, who represented the NFYFC Youth Forum as the voluntary youth organisation's farming and European Young Farmers Council (CEJA) representatives travelled to London to discuss their members' concerns with the Minister following a recent NFYFC council meeting.
 
"Now is surely the time during CAP negotiations to consider some real encouragement for people who have the knowledge, the enthusiasm and the time to make a difference in the future of sustainable farming and rural life," said NFYFC Chairman James Chapman after Wednesday's meeting.
 
Northumberland YFC's Matthew added: "Having just finished my A-level exams, I am confident that I understand the choices, concerns and the opportunities facing young rural people.  I hope that my input to the meeting will have given the Minister a clear picture of how we see our future," said Matthew.
 
Milly Wastie, NFYFC Agriculture and Rural Affairs chairwoman, said: "We urged the Minister to take note of recommendations from both NFYFC and CEJA.
 
"We take the role of representing our YFC members' concerns seriously and this has been an example of taking them to the top. As future farmers and land managers, we welcome the ear of the Minster. We are delighted that we came away from the meeting with confirmation of further future meetings with the Minister with a larger group of YFC members."