Sarah Pettitt has been elected the new chairman of the National Farmers’ Union’s (NFU) horticulture board.
Pettitt, 35, is a Lincolnshire-based grower of field vegetables and has held the position of vice-chairman for four years. She takes over from retiring chairman Richard Hirst, who farms in Norfolk.
Pettitt said: “I thank the board for their trust in me and I aim to repay that trust by ensuring that the voice of the horticulture and potato industry is heard loud and clear. Our industry has a host of virtues that makes it unique, not least in that our growers provide the backbone of the produce and plant supply chains.
“We should and do deserve greater support from packers, processors, retailers and politicians, as without us they have no business. Above all, I want to ensure that growers understand and know that the NFU is there for them and will be doing all it can to secure the environment that allows their businesses to grow and prosper.”
The NFU horticulture board has also appointed a new vice-chairman, Gary Taylor, from Nazeing in Essex. Taylor, who grows sweet peppers at Valley Grown Salads, said: “I am honoured that the horticulture board supported my nomination. I will support Sarah in her mission of promoting horticulture and look forward to facing the challenges that our industry faces.”
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