NFU county adviser Danny O'Shea looks back on two years in the job

I’ve now been in post, supporting farmer and growers in Holland (Lincs) for two years.

Time really has flown by and while we’ve achieved a lot, there’s definitely still more to do.

My very first meeting, back in February 2017, was a rural crime meeting in Boston with Lincolnshire Police, local MPs and a packed room of extremely frustrated members of the rural community. I have to admit, given the level of frustration, I did think to myself ‘what have I gotten myself into’. Coincidentally, it was also my birthday!

Determined to make a difference, we looked at how we could work with the police to have a real impact on the ground. We brought together a plan of action and with the support of local members, went to work. We’ve been at every possible meeting on rural crime and have worked with the highest levels of the police, the police and crime commissioner’s office and local government to ensure everything is being done to support our community.

As you would expect, there is of course a lot more to do and we will continue to ensure that the NFU does all it can to support our members in tackling rural crime.

In the coming year, I’m aiming to work with the rural community and local government to continue to tackle rural crime, improve rural connectivity and raise the profile of mental health in the industry.