Charitable Trust

Farming brief

NFU Mutual donated £1,051,700 to rural charities across the UK in 2021, supporting a range of initiatives including rural poverty relief, educating young people and supporting the air ambulance network. A number of charities were helped to engage primary school children in local farming initiatives.

A report from Rothamsted Research concluded that a proposed red meat tax could cost the UK economy £242m per year. Research leader Dr Taro Takahashi said “the economic losses would be borne not only by livestock farmers but by the whole of society.” The study also showed the vital role livestock consumption has in a sustainable food system.

A UN Climate and Clean Air Coalition report says methane emissions caused by human activity can be reduced by up to 45% this decade, to stay within the Paris Climate Agreement’s goal to reduce global warming by 2045. Methane is 80 times more warming than CO2, but breaks down far faster, in around 10 years, rather than centuries for CO2. Farming’s methane output can be cut using new and existing techniques, it says.

By Declan Bailey

Charitable Trust Forums

THE latest meetings of the Farmers Club Charitable Trust professional forum have been inspirational and informative, with guest speakers from highly regarded positions of influence within the industry generously offering time to share their knowledge and experiences.

In September the forum met virtually, with guest speaker Baroness Hazel Byford leading discussions on The Challenge of Eliminating Food and Fuel Poverty in the UK. On the eve of COP26 Lady Byford was keen to explore the challenges faced by agriculture and the environment, and the issues around feeding the nation. Education was seen as critical in challenging food poverty. The group made pledges to support ‘grassroots’ school growing projects.

In November the group had its first face to face session at The Farmers Club since its inception in January 2021. The story of Westmorland Ltd was the focus – with the group keen to learn more from sisters Jane Lane and Sarah Dunning about the business model and family succession planning.

Created in 1972 when their parents, John & Barbara Dunning, set up Tebay Services as the M6 cut though their Cumbrian hill farm, the small 30 seat café serving home cooked, locally sourced food developed fast, such that operations are now located in Gloucester, Tebay, Cairn Lodge Services, Rheged and J38 Truckstop. Still farming, Westmorland prides itself on proper food with locality and a sense of belonging at its heart.

“These sessions were so valuable to the group,” says Nick Green, chairman of the group and an FCCT Trustee. “Under Chatham House Rules the group is able to talk openly about issues the industry faces and challenges individuals face in their own roles, and get valuable peer to peer mentoring.

“Lady Byford, Jane Lane and Sarah Dunning in their own specialist areas were able to share so much valued knowledge and experiences for us all to take something away.”

Trust Ambassador, Lisa Turner adds: “I was delighted to have organised the events and plans for more in 2022 are underway.”