UP TO 15 new sector board members are being sought by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board.

AHDB works to improve industry competitiveness, using funding from the collection of statutory financial levies to carry out a range of research and development, knowledge transfer and market development initiatives for the benefit of the sectors where the levy is raised. The six sector boards help its staff prioritise the challenges facing each industry sector and develop appropriate strategies to meet them.

They also ensure an appropriate levy rate is recommended to provide adequate funding for the work needed. Each board is made up of levy payers from the sector and one or two independent members.

Applicants should 'be playing an active role in their sector and command the respect of their peers' – and if successful will help to shape the future of UK agriculture in the face of Brexit, food security challenges, scientific advances and evolving markets.

One producer and one processor from the supply chain are to be recruited for the AHDB Beef and Lamb Sector Board, and one processor, one producer and one independent member are required for the Pork Sector Board.

AHDB Potatoes Sector Board is seeking two or three board members with a focus on marketing and consumer issues and on seed and export, while three dairy farmers are being sought to join the Dairy Sector Board. The AHDB Cereals and Oilseeds Sector Board is seeking to appoint two growers, while the Horticulture Sector Board is looking for one specialist in hardy nursery stock and one in protected ornamentals/bulbs and outdoor flowers expert.

The deadline for applications is 9am on November 23, 2018. An application pack is available from AHDB recruitment coordinator Alice Hyde via email to alice.hyde@ahdb.org.uk