What has been achieved in 2007?
CEMA
After much work by many, but particularly Michael Darke, CEMA the European Agricultural Machinery Association has been reformed and the old Statutes and working practices modernised and re-launched. The new CEMA board is made up of key manufacturers and national representatives. Ian Sayers (JCB) represents the UK. We have a new Secretary General Ralf Wezel (who also looks after CECE – The European Construction Equipment Association). There are 5 economic projects and no less than 21 technical projects. The main aim is to have regular access to European Commissioners, MEPs and officials.
NSTS
The National Sprayer Testing Scheme (NSTS) has continued to outperform its targets and seems to be part of the landscape now. We continue to work on improving performance in the Amenity Sector and infrequent users and sprayers that can be termed as used infrequently. We have a good dialogue with SQC in Scotland and the Welsh Assembly Government in Wales.
LTA
In December 2007 we launched the Land Based Technician’s Accreditation Scheme (LTA) which was put together under the guidance of the AEA Training and Education Committee under the chairmanship of Peter Leech (John Deere). This is a major attempt to influence the crucial Recruitment Training and Retention (RTR) issue affecting both the Farm Equipment and Outdoor Power sectors. The LTA scheme is aimed at retention and the accreditation is provided by the Institute of Agricultural Engineers.
Technical
Work continues apace as we wrestle with the increasing demands of the standards business and both UK and European legislation across the whole of member’s interests.
Export
Another difficult year with little sign of any change in Government policy on export assistance. We were able to help several companies but it is not enough.
Office Move
After nearly three years of planning we moved from the Orton Centre office (where we had been for 20 years) to a new office at Hampton in Peterborough. Despite the inevitable frustrations of snagging and getting the builders to complete the work properly we now have an excellent new home which gives us good space and working conditions for many years to come.
So what of the Future?
5 year Business Plan
After taking stock it was clear that the AEA needed to rebrand itself but keep its name and enviable reputation built up over 132 years. It needs a higher profile for its own continued reputation but also to highlight the excellence of Members products in both the Farm Equipment and Outdoor Power sectors.
Over the summer we produced a 5 year Business Plan which was fine tuned over the autumn and approved by the AEA Board in December. It will be reviewed annually.
The main elements are:
Vision
To represent the best interests of the UK Land and Outdoor Equipment Members, in a globally changing competitive environment.
Mission
To add value to our members’ business by providing support, information and opportunities for innovation, market intelligence, technical, best practice, safety and regulatory issues and being an effective forum for transfer and exchange of knowledge.
Objectives
To achieve our vision our objectives are:
- To promote and safeguard the interests of manufacturers and suppliers.
- To provide an opportunity to meet other Members
- To promote, support or oppose legislation or other measures affecting members’ interests.
- To communicate and cooperate with other organizations as appropriate to achieve these objectives
- To promote, maintain and assist appropriate scientific research and technical development
- To conduct or manage shows, exhibitions or demonstrations
- To provide members with information to improve their financial and environmental performance
- To provide members with market and economic intelligence
- To develop, grow and diversify our income base
- To use resources efficiently
- To encourage and motivate our staff to achieve their own aspirations and those of the organisation
- To develop a training criteria to encourage younger staff recruitment
- To raise the profile of the Association and to increase awareness of the industry’s needs
Goals
We produced a set of Goals for the next 5 years. Some may bear fruition and some may not but all are worthwhile exploring. These are set out in detail in the Business Plan which is available to members under a confidentiality agreement.
Issues
We also tried to establish the main “issues” facing the industry. These are highlighted below and whether you agree with them or not the common factor is that they all require lobbying activity in some form to rectify. More details are in the Business Plan but they are:
a. Impact of CAP – clarity of CAP Health Check
b. Food Security
c. WTO
d. Biofuels
e. Transport issues and Vehicle Licensing
f. Pollution and Waste
g. Sprayer Testing. EU Thematic Strategy. Pesticides sustainable use.
h. Safety
i. Careers Recruiting/Training /Retention / Standards
j. Machinery Safety Directive
- Operational Type approval
- Revised Braking directive for all vehicles
- Trade Support
- Noise Directive
- Machinery Directive – OPE
- Internet Sales and Company Liability
All of these items require, to some degree, lobbying of the UK Government or the EU or both. There are various other options for action as well and the AEA will continue to further these major issues. There are some that will be little affected by AEA action alone and we will look to working with other agencies to progress.
One of the goals was to look at consolidation amongst some of the agricultural, OPE and engineering Trade Associations to form a Land Equipment Federation to provide a real focus on lobbying specifically. This proposal will be pursued during 2008 and there is no intention to interfere with individual Trade Associations. It is simply to create a louder more focused voice for the industry.
In essence the AEA is a “signpost” and “watchdog” for the industry and we must ensure that we focus fully on performing both functions fully.