Last week, Dan was invited to meet with CEO Richard Anscombe and his staff at the AtlasFram Group in Framlingham. The AtlasFram Group has grown to become one of the largest farmer cooperatives in the UK, and helps to save farmers time and money by pooling together its member’s collective buying power to purchase essential farming products such as fertiliser, seed and fuel as reduced prices. The group was founded over 50 years ago, and has grown to represent the commercial interests of over 1250 farmer Members across the UK.
Dan spoke to Richard and his team about the challenges facing the farming industry, including the difficulties caused by rising fuel prices, whilst he also heard how unreliable broadband speeds have a negative effect on our farming businesses in Suffolk. The importance of encouraging more young people to consider a career in agriculture was stressed, and Dan highlighted the work he is doing in Parliament and with Otley College to improve the quality of agricultural and vocational training available. He was heartened to hear that the AtlasFram Group regularly engages with Thomas Mills High School students to remove some of the myths surrounding a career in agriculture.
Dan would like to thank Chief Executive Richard Anscombe for introducing him to all of the staff, and he will be taking the issues raised at the meeting to Ministers in Parliament to ensure that Suffolk’s farmers continue to thrive.