North Yorkshire 
potato grower Tim Rooke has been elected chair of the NFU Potato Forum. Tim, who farms 240 hectares of potatoes, also grows crops on 400 hectares of his farm. Tim was previously vice chair of the Forum and succeeds outgoing chair Alex Godfrey.
He said: “I’m delighted to have been elected as the chair of the Potato Forum and I look forward to working with the rest of the Forum on key issues facing the sector.
"Like other sectors, potato growers are facing significantly rising costs and it’s essential we continue to work within the NFU and with government to ensure these are recognised in government and across the supply chain.
“I’d like to pay tribute to Alex Godfrey, who served as chair for many years. I know the entire Forum wants to thank him for his hard work.”
Alastair Heath elected vice chair
Alastair Heath, a potato grower from Shropshire who also has chickens, oilseed rape and cereals on his farm, has been elected as vice chair. Alastair is also a member of the NFU’s Next Generation Forum.
He said: “It’s an incredibly important time to be involved in the Potato Forum and it’s fantastic to have been elected as vice chair. I’m passionate about the future and sustainability of potato farming in the UK, and I’m looking forward to combining this role with my membership of the NFU’s Next Generation Forum too.”
For more information: nfuonline.com