It was a great honour and privilege to be elected as your National Chairman at the AGM in April and I thank those who supported the process. As reported elsewhere, the occasion was marked with the attendance of Her Royal Highness, the Princess Royal. My predecessor John Henning OBE, NSch, FRAgS set a very high bar to follow. My thanks go to John for doing such a sterling job in picking CARAS up and getting things going again after the hiatus of COVID.
Various previous National Chairs have told me how much they enjoyed the role and what warm welcomes were extended at the various shows, events and awards presentations. I am very pleased to confirm this is still the case. My wife Marlene and I, have enjoyed excellent hospitality and warm welcomes at The Balmoral, Royal Highland and Royal Welsh Shows and the English Awards in the House of Lords. It was our first visits to each of the National shows and we look forward to returning in 2024. Thank you to all those concerned.
As we all know, UK agriculture and food production is going through turbulent times. Significant unrealistic pressure continues to be exerted by the major retailers and Government to keep food prices down. This, combined with a Government seemingly more inclined to favour the environment without a balanced link with food production and associated support means huge financial pressure being put on British farms. Many are questioning the viability of their farming business and with the continued demise of the BPS and delayed introduction of its successor I think 2024 will be a tipping point for many. CARAS has a part to play in supporting these colleagues. We should never underestimate the skill and wealth of experience in our Associate and Fellow body. Our collective opportunity to be able to dip into this pool of knowledge is vast and one we can all take advantage of if needs be.
CARAS has a wide reach not just with the aforementioned body of Associates and Fellows but other organisations. As an organisation we have the wherewithal to draw in many other similar bodies for the benefit of our wider industry. One aim in my two years of office is to forge stronger links with these other organisations and create forums where knowledge, experience and creative thought can be shared. One example is a ‘Question Time’ styled event “Supporting the Future of Professionalism in Agriculture”. It is joint collaboration between CARAS English Panel (with other nations invited), the Institute of Agricultural Management (IAgrM), The Institute for Agriculture & Horticulture (TIAH), the Farmers Club Under 35’s, and the Farming Community Network (FCN). It is being held in London on 27th February and any CARAS member is welcome to attend. Further details can be found at www.iagrm.com/events In addition, the Secretariats of each of our nations are currently working together drawing up plans for a National event. It will be topical and applicable to each of our countries. Details will be made public in due course. Watch this space.
One major development within the administration of CARAS is the development of an all singing all dancing database. It has recently gone live and feedback from those using it so far is extremely positive. The aim of the database is to streamline all the administration and negate the need for multiple exchanges of emails and messages. It will also provide a more readily accessible and usable database for the National and nations secretaries.
It would be remiss of me not to recognise and thank those who make CARAS what it is. The Secretary, Chair and Panel of each country make sure everything is done properly and on a timely basis. The Moderators Panel under the stewardship of Professor Wynne Jones ensures the robust process of election and progression is upheld, and our National Secretary Richard Cooksley pulls everything together. Everyone’s efforts are appreciated. One special mention needs to go to Wynne Jones. After many years as Chair of the Moderators Panel Wynne is taking a well earned retirement. Thank you Wynne for doing such a sterling job. I am pleased to advise Professor William McKelvey is preparing to take the reins after the 2024 AGM.
Finally, I make no apology for seeking everyone’s support in identifying and proposing potential candidates for Associateship. We are the ears and eyes of CARAS and it is beholden upon each of us to continue the good work done by our predecessors. If you consider anyone worthy of Associateship, please let your respective National Secretary or anyone on the Panel know.
Best wishes for a healthy, happy and prosperous 2024.
Nick Green FRAgS
CARAS UK Chairman
January 2024
