5 minute read
New Chairman
Devon Chairman for 2022
The Club’s 2022 Chairman has an impressive record in agri-politics, successful farming organisations and supporting the sector. Charles Abel introduces John Lee
DEVON farmer John Lee OBE DL has lived and farmed at Shobrooke, near Crediton all his life. But his career has taken him to the heart of European policymaking and leading roles with many farming organisations.
A true English gentleman, his pragmatism, sound business acumen and drive to get things done have served him well. Much of his success he traces back to days chairing the UK and European Young Farmers Club federations, and some timely mentoring from Lord Plumb.
678AD farm history
John’s grandfather bought Coombe Barton farm in 1928, when it was a traditional mixed enterprise. It’s history and early ownership, as part of a larger estate owned by the church and then the crown, was traced to 678AD by historian WG Hoskins in his 1972 book The Making of the English Landscape and featured in the BBC TV documentary Horizon.
The farm’s position near a source of water, and it’s stocking, helped define the local landscape over centuries. “It makes you realise how our involvement with a farm, over 30 or 40 years of working life, is relatively small in the scheme of things,” says John. “We are just custodians for a brief period.”
After agricultural training at Bicton Agricultural College (where he was later to return to Chair the Governors) he was “destined to return to the farm”. A traditional mixed farm on predominately Devon red sandstone it grew grass well and in his father’s time supported dairy, beef, pig and poultry enterprises before streamlining to beef, sheep and arable, and now purely arable.
After the EU referendum was announced, and before the result was known, John decided change was coming, and with no successor, it made sense to get a younger farmer involved, who could adapt and grasp the new
opportunities, together with any challenges. “So far it has worked very well,” says John.
Young Farmers
The Young Farmers movement has long been close to his heart. After joining he soon became Club, county and national chairman and then the only ever English chairman of the European Council of Young Farmers Clubs
“At European level, it was a very political organisation, and led to meetings with many EU agriculture ministers and European Commission officials. But it was Lord Plumb, President of the European Parliament, who encouraged me to get more involved in agricultural politics. ‘If you think you can make a difference give it a go’ was Lord Plumb’s mantra.”
John’s roles included a seat on the CAP Advisory Committee during Agriculture Commissioner Franz Fischler’s major policy reforms in the late 1990s, when farm income support was decoupled from production, leading to the Single Payment Scheme.
“Each week it was two days in Brussels, and a day elsewhere in Europe or further afield including speaking at conferences in China, the USA and Asia, often travelling with the Commissioner and Ministers, representing European farmer interests, all while the Central and East European countries were negotiating entry into the EU – so quite an interesting period,” John notes, with typical under-statement.
Lamb on a platter
It was a satisfying period personally, but had dietary challenges. He recalls: “Leaving lambing at home in February, to chair a conference with Ministers and Foreign Ministers in Spain, and sitting on the top table at the closing Gala Dinner where the silver domes covering our main course plates were lifted with great theatre to reveal a whole, young roast lamb each – well, it wasn’t ideal for the digestion.”
Being “useful where and when needed” has seen John bring his unassuming, yet incredibly effective chairman’s skills to numerous organisations, including Devon County Agricultural Association, the Westpoint Centre, Bicton College, FACE, and Mole Avon Trading.
He is a member of, and regularly chairs, the Independent Agricultural Appeals Panel and previously DEFRA’s Sustainable Food & Farming Strategy in the SW.
Devon roles
John’s involvement goes beyond farming, as High Sheriff of Devon and Deputy Lieutenant of Devon, immediate past President of Devon Communities Together, chair of trustees of the Rural Youth Trust, Patron and Ambassador of Devon and Cornwall Police Cadets, Member of Exeter Cathedral Council and Church Warden of his parish church.
He is a fan of listening. “People may not have all the information, but if you listen and gather the facts, you are more likely to make right decisions.”
Alongside almost two years of Covid turmoil most agricultural businesses have been grappling with the demise of direct payments, which John sees as a catalyst for further restructuring.
“There is a pretty clear sense of direction with agricultural policy, and environmental policy is now dovetailing with it as a significant driver of farming, along with the need to address climate change and become net zero. That should be seen as an opportunity, not a punishment.”
Having nearly joined The Farmers Club whilst with the YFC it was Club stalwart Peter Jackson who persuaded him to join 15 years ago. He has served two stints on the Committee since.
“The Farmers Club really is so much more than a London base, accommodation and a place to feel at home. It’s the people you meet and the discussions that challenge your thinking which are so very beneficial. I’m very much looking forward to meeting a lot more members over the coming year,” he concludes.
Devon County Show was the first to open to the public last year – reflecting a bold approach to Covid mitigation
The Farmers Club is all about the people you meet and the discussions that challenge your thinking
