Defra praise for farmer's role
Yorkshire pig farmer Richard Longthorp was singled out for thanks by Defra Secretary Hilary Benn at the launch this week of a new strategy for developing agricultural skills.
The AgriSkills Strategy, published in London on Wednesday, was written by a working party chaired by Mr Longthorp, of Howden.
The agreed strategy says training should be matched more closely to needs and taken under a single umbrella issuing qualifications of easily recognisable worth. The Agriskills Forum will continue working to "ensure the strategy does not gather dust".
Mr Benn said: "I congratulate Richard Longthorp and all involved in producing the Agri-Skills Strategy and look for-ward to working with them in putting its ideas into practice."