East Midlands Rural Affairs Forum

EMRAF has the following roles and responsibilities:

• facilitating effective communication of rural issues within the region and with national bodies and government ministers
• monitor, question, challenge the effectiveness of rural policy development and service delivery in the region
• champion rural interests in the East Midlands and to help drive rural development at regional and local level

Who is a member of the East Midlands Rural Affairs Forum?

EMRAF has just over 60 members representing organisations and networks within the statutory, private and voluntary sectors. Following the retirement of Pam Smith OBE as Chair on 30 September 2008, a new Chair for the Forum is currently being recruited. 

How does the East Midlands Rural Affairs Forum operate? 

EMRAF meets four times a year. Forum meetings are open to the media but they are not open public meetings. We act as the secretariat. 

East Midlands Rural Affairs Forum Co-ordinator 

The East Midlands Rural Affairs Forum Co-ordinator provides an independent resource which enables EMRAF to address a wide range of issues and more effectively champion rural interests in the East Midlands. In addition, the Co-ordinator oversees the activity of a number of EMRAF sub-groups established to take forward specialised tasks. 

Further information can be found on the EMRAF website www.ruralaffairs.org.uk