New AHDB chairman must ensure value for money for farmers

The NFU has said it looks forward to working with the new chairman of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board who was announced today.

John Godfrey has taken up his new post in AHDB this week.

NFU President Peter Kendall said: I am pleased to see the appointment of John Godfrey; a farmer and himself a levy-payer in charge of AHBD.

I believe the new chairman will need to be resolute in driving forward a culture of delivery for the AHDB. It needs to show farmers that it is an organisation that is effective and efficient; one that listens to and acts on the demands of its levy payers. Above all farmers want to see value for money from their contributions and it is important that the new chairman ensures that this ethos is at the heart of the AHDB.

The AHDB has a key role to play in contributing to industry competitiveness and profitability. It has to take the lead in addressing a number of the core issues for the industry not least research and development, as well as helping farmers and growers to respond to some of the wider societal and environmental concerns.

The NFU is the voice of British farming and provides professional representation and services to its farmer and grower members.