Chair's Closing Statement

Tony Pexton OBE

The Yorkshire and The Humber Rural Affairs Forum (YHRAF) will formally close its door on 31st March 2012. We would like to pay tribute to the hard work and commitment shown by members over the years. In particular, we would like to thank John Napier and Graham Ward for their strong leadership during their terms of office as Chairmen, and those organisations and their officers who provided the secretariat and technical support. Without the generous support of our funders, including Defra and Yorkshire Forward, it would not have been possible to deliver our agendas - and so to them we express our appreciation.

The Yorkshire Food, Farming and Rural Network - facilitated by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society - is a member of Defra’s new Rural and Farming Network. It will work to ensure there is a continuation of the Rural Voice in Yorkshire and The Humber. We feel sure that all of those organisations, groups and individuals which have shown such commitment to the Yorkshire and The Humber Rural Affairs Forum over the years will give equal support to the new Rural Voice in the area. We wish it every success for the future.

The Final Report which showcases the work undertaken by the Yorkshire and The Humber Rural Affairs Forum can be downloaded here.

Further information regarding the Yorkshire Food, Farming and Rural Network can be found on the Yorkshire Agricultural Society Website.

Defra’s New Rural and Farming Networks
Map of Defra’s 14 New Rural and Farming Networks