Rt Hon Sir Julian Smith KCB CBE, Member of Parliament for Skipton and Ripon, visited the 166th Great Yorkshire Show on Thursday, 10 July, celebrating the region’s farming excellence, innovation, and rural enterprise.
The visit began at the Yellow Gate entrance, where Julian was welcomed by Graham Bottley, North Yorkshire farmer and Network Executive Member of the Yorkshire Food, Farming and Rural Network. The day’s itinerary showcased the strength and diversity of Yorkshire’s agricultural sector, with a strong focus on sustainability, technology, and local food production.
Julian participated in two key roundtable discussions - first with the National Farmers Union (NFU), led by NFU Policy Manager Adam Briggs and then with the Country Land and Business Association (CLA), hosted by Harriet Ranson. These sessions provided a platform for open dialogue on the challenges and opportunities facing farmers across the region, including rural policy, food security, and environmental stewardship.
Following a lunch on the President’s Lawn, Julian toured the Food Hall, where Julian met with constituency businesses with representative from Deliciously Yorkshire, Malham-based Chris Wildman.
After the food hall Julian visited the Innovation Zone, where he learnt more about cutting-edge agri-tech solutions including robotic milking systems.
Speaking after the visit, Julian said: “The Great Yorkshire Show is a powerful reminder of the innovation, resilience, and pride that define our rural communities. From pioneering technology to world-class produce, Yorkshire continues to lead the way in British agriculture. I am grateful to all the farmers, producers, and organisers who made today such a success.
“It was especially good to celebrate this success with Ripon Farm Services CEO Geoff Brown MBE and the first ever female Show Director, Skipton bred, Rachel Coates”.
The Great Yorkshire Show continues through Friday, July 11, with thousands of visitors expected to attend.
