Interview
“It’s a community that really
looks out for each other, and
that counts for a lot”
But nowadays, with shared farm arrangement
and more traditional tenancy agreements such as
the one he enjoys at Quarr, it’s becoming possible
for new players to enter the farming arena,
bringing with them new ideas and approaches.
Community ties
Matt on Sharp Seal in 2002
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www.visitilife.com
One thing that isn’t likely to change in farming
is the community’s reliance on each other as
neighbours and colleagues.
“It’s a community that really looks out for
each other, and that counts for a lot” says
Matt. “We don’t currently employ anyone, so I
certainly wouldn’t be able to do all the shows
and meetings I have to do if it weren’t for my
farming neighbours.
“We all help each other out with favours, and
that’s a really good support system to have
behind you.”
By meetings, Matt means the regular trips
he has to take to London and the National
Agricultural and Exhibition Centre at Stoneleigh,
Warwickshire, for NFU business.
It all makes for a hectic life, but it’s one that
he clearly loves: “I hadn’t envisaged doing this
job while the kids were so young, but when
the opportunity arose, especially in the current
climate, I saw it as an opportunity to influence
things”.
He is certainly a youthful chair for the NFU, but
then as he points out, his predecessor Caroline
Knox was the same age.
“I guess we represent the next generation in
farming and there is generally a real wealth of
enthusiastic younger people involved on the
Island”.
This has probably never been more important,
with the uncertain spectre of Brexit looming –
although Matt is optimistic that the process could
hold just as many opportunities as threats for UK
farmers.
“The key for me is to make sure we in this
country get a level playing field with Europe”
he says, “and as one of the leading countries in
the world on animal welfare, we need to make
sure we get proper ongoing support to keep
progressing with that.”
As well as his planned trips to London and the
Midlands, Matt is also hoping to get in a trip to
Brussels later this year “for a look-round”.
“We won’t be doing that for much longer!” he
quipped, heading back to his flock in the field.