Great Yorkshire Show 2024 highlights

On the Wednesday morning of the show, CLA President Victoria Vyvyan hosted a public breakfasting event with Steve Reed, Secretary of State for Defra, at the CLA stand. Steve was accompanied by newly appointed Farming Minister Daniel Zeichner, in additional to Defra officials Janet Hughes and Jonathan Baker.

Steve made his first public speech at a major-league agri-show since being elected and appointed in his 'full-house' role.

Steve focussed on growth as a central theme, with a commitment to address farmers and private landowner concerns on a variety of issues, including support via the Sustainable Farming Incentive / Environmental Land Management Scheme. In summary:

• a focus on improving water quality on lakes, rivers and sea
• moving towards a net zero waste economy
• food security
• nature recovery
• flood protection and prevention

Victoria Vyvyan emphasised how the full economic growth potential of the rural sector can be unlocked by certainty, clarity and the removal of obstacles to growth.

Earlier the same week, the CLA launched a 'Programme for Government' to help it power growth in the rural economy, covering everything from food production to the planning system - access this document.

On Tuesday, we kick-started our week at this year’s Great Yorkshire Show with the CLA President’s Breakfast, facilitated by CLA President Victoria Vyvyan featuring a brilliant line-up of speakers Andrew Loftus (AHDB - Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board), Sally Ormiston (Rural Solutions) and James Pavey (Irwin Mitchell / Silk Family Law).

Our guest speakers discussed various political 'asks' of the new government - in line with the CLA's #RuralPowerhouse 'missions'... livestock farming, trade deals, net zero, land use, profitable farming, taxation, property rights, APR & BPR, planning, access and much more.

And a teasing question... what does 'freehold' mean (and imply) these days?

Many thanks to our speakers and generous supporters Irwin Mitchell / Silk Family Law and Rural Solutions.

As at last year's show, Virgin Money again hosted our Tuesday afternoon 'tea and talks' session which this year specifically zoomed in on the topic of 'Productive, PROFITABLE and Sustainable farming...

This insightful speaker session, hosted by The CLA President Victoria Vyvyan, heard from guest speakers Brian Richardson (Virgin Money), Kelly Hewson-Fisher (Savills Rural) and Tracey Jackson MRICS FAAV in exploring the determinants (practical pre-requisites!) for prosperous farming - inclusive of skills...

On the Wednesday, after hosting Defra Secretary of State Steve Reed, CLA President Victoria Vyvyan hosted our second day breakfast featuring insightful speakers with Susan Twining (The CLA Chief Policy Adviser), Glyn Jones (Fera Science Ltd.) and Joseph Mitchell (Harrison Drury Solicitors) - exploring the wide an varied topic of natural capital and nature markets on a policy, as well as scientific and legal basis.

Lots of food for thought on natural capital / nature markets; biodiversity net gain and conservation covenants - in the short, but especially the longer term.

This breakfast was kindly supported by Fera Science Ltd. and Harrison Drury Solicitors - and above all, our fabulous speakers!

On the Wednesday afternoon, the CLA marquee hosted another 'tea and talks' event talking all things forestry which covered the UK's timber security, agroforestry for farmers and landowners (not a binary choice!) and biofuels.

Top notch speakers, facilitated by Sir William Worsley FRICS FRAgS MICFor DL (Forestry Commission Chair), were agroforestry guru James Ramskir-Gardiner and timber markets/biofuels expert Rosanna Curtis (Reheat | B Corp™). The CLA President Victoria Vyvyan also contributed to this very topical discussion.

Many thanks to our generous supporters at this event Forestry Commission and Northwoods Woodland Management / Reheat | B Corp™

On the Tuesday and Wednesday, the CLA stand hosted two Women's Networking events, and we had some formidable and inspiring women speaking of their experiences in the rural sector. The two drinks reception speaker events was hosted by The CLA President Victoria Vyvyan, featuring...

• Dr Rachael Fell-Chambers (DENSHOLME CARE FARM)
• Abi Kay (Deputy Editor, Farmers Weekly)
• 🦙 Celia Gaze 🦙 MBA (The Wellbeing Farm : B Corp Certified venue experience)
• Jane Lane (Tittleshall Barns & The CLA Charitable Trust)

Thought-provoking, inspiring and passionate deliveries - well done and thank you to all our speakers. And, thank you to Tennants Auctioneers for supporting these events.

CLA Director North Harriet Ranson and CLA Communications Manager Henk Geertsema has a very constructive meeting with David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, MP Robbie Moore and rural partners at Grow Yorkshire.

Henk suggested greater collaboration between mayors across the North, particularly David Skaith, Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, Kim McGuinness, Oliver Coppard, and Ben Houchen to ensure decisions, policies and strategies are 'rural proofed' via a consultative forum made up of mayors, and (such as key stakeholders Grow Yorkshire et al) focussed on issues in the countryside.

Together we can provide solutions to unlock rural economic growth across the North. For one, the CLA's door is always open!