This brings to four the regional team responsible for identifying and recruiting new members at a time when the CLA is experiencing growing interest in its capacity to advise and lobby government effectively, on behalf of its members, on many local and national rural issues.


Michael, who lives near Helmsley, may already be known to many CLA members through his previous roles as principal auctioneer at Cundalls of Malton and more latterly Wharfedale Farmers Auction Mart, Otley, responsible for selling both fatstock and store stock as well as regular dispersal, machinery and furniture sales. In his new CLA role he will be responsible for all of East Yorkshire and part of North Yorkshire.


Sarah joins the CLA following experience in veterinary and livestock pharmaceutical sales, primarily with Bayer plc and Hoechst Rousell, and her territory includes South Yorkshire and part of West Yorkshire. Sarah and her husband, a partner in a Huddersfield Veterinary practice, have a small farm near Huddersfield where they rear pigs, sheep, poultry, bees and dogs. She has a four year old son and lists scuba diving, skiing and caravanning among her interests,


Dorothy Fairburn, CLA Yorkshire Regional Director said: "With CLA membership steadily growing in our region, owing to the number of rural issues faced by farmers, landowners and rural businesses, this expansion of our recruitment team is essential for us to maintain our high levels of service and support to our Yorkshire membership."


The CLA offers members essential and expert advice on day-to-day matters such as regional planning issues, profitability of agriculture and diversification of the rural economy, and also lobbies government bodies on other issues affecting its members, including coastal access plans, EID, bluetongue, lack of rural broadband and fly tipping.