Tim Rooke has been elected chair of the NFU Potato Forum

North Yorkshire potato grower Tim Rooke has been elected chair of the NFU Potato Forum.

May 15, 2022

Source

National Farmers' Union (NFU)

North Yorkshire potato grower Tim Rooke has been elected chair of the NFU Potato Forum.

Tim, who farms 240 hectares of potatoes, also grows crops on 400 hectares of his farm. Tim was previously vice chair of the Forum and succeeds outgoing chair Alex Godfrey.

Tim Rooke:

"I’m delighted to have been elected as the chair of the Potato Forum, and I look forward to working with the rest of the Forum on key issues facing the sector."

"Like other sectors, potato growers are facing significantly rising costs and it’s essential we continue to work within the NFU and with government to ensure these are recognised in government and across the supply chain."

"I’d like to pay tribute to Alex Godfrey, who served as chair for many years. I know the entire Forum wants to thank him for his hard work."

Alastair Heath, elected vice chair

Alastair Heath, a potato grower from Shropshire who also has chickens, oilseed rape and cereals on his farm, has been elected as vice chair. Alastair is also a member of the NFU’s Next Generation Forum.

Alastair Heath:

"It’s an incredibly important time to be involved in the Potato Forum, and it’s fantastic to have been elected as vice chair. I’m passionate about the future and sustainability of potato farming in the UK, and I’m looking forward to combining this role with my membership of the NFU’s Next Generation Forum, too."

About the NFU Potato Forum

The NFU Potato Forum meets every six months and has regular email and video call contact throughout the year. It addresses key policy priority areas and reacts quickly to issues affecting the potato sector.

NFU's Horticulture and Potatoes Board

The NFU Potato Forum works alongside the NFU's national Horticulture and Potatoes Board and has a critical role in shaping NFU policies that impact on potato growers. Whether it is crop protection or Brexit changes, or tackling the impacts of the Ukraine crisis, the NFU Potato Forum helps identify the issues affecting members and creates a plan of action to address them.

The Forum also has the opportunity to input into national policy through the Horticulture and Potatoes Board, with both the chair and vice chair of the Forum currently sitting on the national board.