EU Farm Commissioner guest of honour at Devon Farm Business Awards

The most powerful man in European agriculture, EU Farm Commissioner Phil Hogan will be the guest of honour at the Devon Farm Business Awards, which will be presented on Wednesday evening, May 18, at the Westpoint showground on the eve of this year’s Devon County Show (May 19-21).

The awards are organised by a partnership of the Addington Fund, Devon County Agricultural Association (DCAA), and Stephens Scown. They were launched in 2014 and they promote and celebrate excellence in Devon farming.

Mr Hogan is visiting Devon at the instigation of national NFU President, Meurig Raymond, who will also be attending the awards presentation with his wife Hilary, as will Ross Murray, President of the CLA.

Mary Quicke MBE, Council Chairman of the DCAA, said that during his visit the Commissioner would learn at first hand that whilst there are very serious problems in Devon farming at present, there are also many outstanding businesses.

“He’ll meet some of the best that Devon farming has to offer on the Wednesday evening, and then hear about the current challenges on Thursday morning,” she said.

“The message that I hope this will send is that farmers in Devon have the skills, the enterprise and the determination to build successful businesses that make a vital contribution to the economy, the environment and society.

“It’s obviously a great honour for us to host both the Commissioner and the National Presidents of both the NFU and CLA as we are very proud of what we do as farmers in Devon.”