Tom Bradshaw has been elected as the brand new president of the NFU, changing Minette Batters, who stepped down after six years within the position.
Mr Bradshaw, an arable farmer from Essex, has been part of the NFU officeholder staff for 4 years, having held each the vp and deputy president positions.
He’s going to be joined via Sussex farmer David Exwood, who has been elected as deputy president, after serving as vp, and Yorkshire tenant hill farmer Rachel Hallos, who joins the officeholder staff for the primary time as the brand new vp.
They have been elected via the NFU’s 80-strong council on the finish of the union’s two-day convention in Birmingham. Mr Bradshaw was once unopposed and gained 98.4% of the vote, in line with Farmers Weekly.
4 applicants have been vying for the deputy submit, with Mr Exwood receiving 52% of the vote, whilst Ms Hallos prevailed in a five-way contest for the vice-president position with 70% of the vote.
They’ve been elected for two-year phrases and can constitute greater than 46,000 farmers and growers throughout England and Wales.
Mr Bradshaw mentioned: “This can be a deep honour to be elected president of the NFU and the 46,000 participants we constitute might be my absolute focal point as I lead this very good organisation.
“Successful manufacturing, and the steadiness and readability which permits NFU participants to plot for and reinvest of their farming and rising companies will all the time be my precedence. This sits on the middle of turning in sustainable, high quality and high-welfare meals for our nation. Within the run as much as the overall election we’ve got the overpowering toughen of the general public and all political events will have to put a plan in position for home-grown meals.
“I additionally need to focal point on forging ever-closer connections with NFU participants at the floor. My message to our club is inconspicuous: that is your organisation. We want to listen your perspectives and we’d like your enter. United we’re an impressive voice.
“I’d additionally like, on behalf of all NFU participants, and I think, the general public, to thank our outgoing President Minette Batters, for her years of willpower to the NFU, carrier which has resulted in remarkable successes.
“We’re in a difficult time for agriculture in England and Wales, however it’s additionally a time of significant alternative, and the NFU might be on the middle of turning in effects for our participants.”
Mr Exwood mentioned: “I’ve been proud to constitute the British farming trade over the last two years as Vice President and I’m taking a look ahead to construction in this paintings as deputy president. I want to thank Minette Batters for the whole lot she has carried out for the organisation and congratulate Tom and Rachel on their new officeholder roles.
“With a common election at the horizon, the following two years are key for the way forward for British agriculture as we proceed the transition from direct bills. In an unsure trade surroundings, it is very important that farmers are recognised via all political events for the climate-friendly meals they produce, financial contribution they make to rural communities and their position as caretakers of the geographical region.”
Ms Hallos mentioned: “I’m extremely proud and thankful to give you the option to constitute Britain’s farmers as a part of the NFU officeholder staff.
“As farmers are at the entrance line of weather trade it is very important that profitability is constructed again into the field, so we’re ready to spend money on resilient companies which can be ready to proceed generating nutritious meals for the country. I look ahead to operating with Tom and David over the following two years to navigate the trade thru occasions of a lot trade.”