‘Beet price and virus yellows are priorities’

Norfolk grower Kit Papworth says tackling the challenge of virus yellows will be among his priorities as NFU Sugar chairman.

Mr Papworth, who was elected to replace Cambridgeshire farmer Michael Sly, will also take the lead role in price negotiations on behalf of 2,300 UK sugar beet growers with processor British Sugar.

“I am honoured to be elected as chair of the sugar board and I am committed to representing the interests of all sugar beet growers,” he said. “On behalf of the board, I would like to sincerely thank Michael Sly for his dedication to growers across the country during his eight years as chair.

Significant change

“Our industry is facing a period of significant change – from trade deals and plant protection regulations to the challenges posed by unpredictable weather.

“To secure a strong future for the homegrown sugar sector, I am determined to collaborate across the industry to advance solutions for virus yellows and ensure a fair, sustainable price for growers.”

Mr Papworth is a director of Tuttington Farms and LF Papworth – a contract farming business based near Aylsham, which farms some 1250ha on behalf of more than 20 landowners.

He joined the NFU Sugar Board in 2020 and has covered various briefs including Red Tractor, the British Beet Research Organisation’s stakeholder committee and contract negotiation.

Critical importance

Simon Smith, a sugar beet grower on the Cambridgeshire-Suffolk border, was re-elected NFU Sugar vice-chairman. Mr Smith is one of the UK’s biggest sugar beet growers and has been on the NFU Sugar board since 2015.

He said: “There are plenty of areas that are of critical importance to growers, from plant protection products and seed to haulage and sustainability, and I’m looking forward to continuing my work on behalf of beet growers.”

Alison Lawson was elected beet reception chair. Working with her family, she farms and runs a busy agricultural contractor business, covering an area from Norfolk down to Essex and across to Cambridgeshire.