More than 170 members joined NFU Vice President David Exwood and senior support scheme adviser Richard Wordsworth, who explained Defra's consultation on how to ensure hedgerows in England continue to get the right level of protection post cross-compliance in 2024.Â
Vital input from members
More than 150 members took part in interactive polls and surveys throughout the webinar, the results of which will help directly influence future policy before the consultation ends on 18 August.Â
In addition to the above, members shared their views and asked valuable questions, which again are integral to helping form the response. There was a general demand for a follow-up session to continue the discussion on this topic and provide the opportunity for further questions and answers, which we will be looking to support.
The future of hedgerow protections – government publishes response
Find out more on delinked payments:
Speakers
David Exwood
NFU Deputy President
David farms south of Horsham in West Sussex with his wife and two sons over 1200 tenanted hectares in the heart of the Sussex Weald.
Starting in 1989 with 70ha the business now has arable, dairy beef, Sussex suckler herd and sheep enterprises. In 2003 the Farm Shop opened and sells a wide range of food from the Victorian stable yard at Westons.
He has served previously within the NFU as Branch Chair, West Sussex Council Delegate, South East Regional Chair as well as four years on Governance Board.
David was elected to the position of NFU Deputy President in February 2024.
Responsibilities
- EU and international relations
- Banking
- Biodiversity
- Food labelling
- Food safety
- Food service and hospitality
- Agricultural transition (productivity, ELMs, stability)
- Plant health
- Assurance schemes
- British Agriculture Bureau
- Health, safety and wellbeing
- Agricultural transport
- Uplands
- Tenants
Richard Wordsworth
Senior Adviser (Support Schemes)
Richard’s work falls into four key themes: 1) development of support scheme policy; 2) implementation of scheme policy; 3) assisting NFU members with scheme issues and; 4) educating and raising awareness of scheme issues with members.
Richard’s work includes a range of schemes including the Sustainable Farming Incentive, Countryside Stewardship and various grants and competitions within the Farming Investment Fund including the Slurry Infrastructure Grant, Farming Equipment and Technology Fund and Improving Farm Productivity grants.
We also work on a number of wider issues including Delinked Payments, Hedgerow Regulations, advice and represent members across a wide number of stakeholder forums.