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National Farmers' Union
AbbreviationNFU
PredecessorLincolnshire Farmers' Union
Founded1908; 116 years ago (1908)
TypeEmployer association
HeadquartersAgriculture House, Stoneleigh Park, Stoneleigh, Warwickshire, England, CV8 2TZ
Location
Members
45,000 farming and growing businesses[1]
President
Tom Bradshaw
Deputy President
David Exwood
Vice President
Rachel Hallos
Director General
Terry Jones
AffiliationsNFU Mutual Insurance
Sister organisations:
WebsiteOfficial website Edit this at Wikidata

The National Farmers' Union (NFU) is an employer association representing farming and growing businesses within England and Wales.

The NFU originated as the Lincolnshire Farmers' Union (LFU) which was founded in 1904. Over the next four years, similar farmers' organisations were established in neighbouring counties. In 1908, these organisations formed the current National Farmers' Union. Colin Campbell was its first president.

The organisation has been led by Tom Bradshaw as president since 2024.

History

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Background tensions

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The late 19th century coincided with increased struggle between three main groups:

The rise of the labour movement saw farmworkers organise agricultural trade unions such as the Lincolnshire Labour League[note 1] and the Warwickshire Agricultural Labourers Union.[note 2] These unions initially achieved modest victories and growth, but a series of unsuccessful attempts to use collective action resulted in the decline and dissolution of early farmworkers' unions.[3]

In response to the victory of the Liberal Party in the 1906 UK general election, many farm owners took revenge against farmers suspected of radical views or of Liberal sympathies.[3] On 20 July 1906, the Eastern Counties Agricultural Labourers & Small Holders Union[note 3] was formed in an attempt to combat these retributions, and further renew unionisation efforts among farmworkers.[3]

Further angered in their opposition to potential land reform by the Liberal government, the Central Land Association[note 4] (CLA) was formed to represent landlords' interests against their farmers, and against the Liberal government.[3][4]

Formation and growth

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A 1900s postcard of the Agricultural Hall, where the Smithfield Show was held when the NFU was formed in 1908

In 1904, the Lincolnshire Farmers' Union (LFU) was founded to represent tenant farmers, in part against both increasingly unionised farmworkers, and against landlords.[3]

On 10 December 1908, a meeting was held at the Smithfield Show to discuss the formation of a national organisation formed from the LFU. The meeting resulted in the formation of the National Farmers' Union.[5][6] By 1913, it had 20,000 members—a majority being tenant-farmers—and excluded landowners but allowed owner-occupying farmers.[2][5]

The NFU's first president, Colin Campbell, worked to get new branches off the ground, encourage membership and establish the NFU's credibility with government, at a time when farming was going through the longest and deepest depression in its history, as imports of cheap grain and frozen meat flooded in from abroad.[6][non-primary source needed]

The NFU stood six candidates in the 1918 general election, none of whom were elected. In the 1922 general election, it stood three unsuccessful NFU candidates under its own name, and sponsored four successful Conservative Party candidates. It again sponsored Conservative candidates in 1923 and 1935 elections, but has not done so since.[7]

Campbell was succeeded as NFU President in 1921 by Richard Robbins, an employers' representative on the Agricultural Wages Board.[5]

On 3 December 1955, 12 Welsh members of the NFU left and formed the rival Farmers' Union of Wales.[8][9] Verley Merchant, the NFU's Welsh Secretary, responded to the formation by saying "We will smash you in three months".[8]

Recent history

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In 1972, the NFU, alongside other farming employers' associations, set up the British Agriculture Bureau to represent their interests in the European Economic Community and later the European Union.[10][11]

In 2000, with the National Farmers' Union of Scotland, the Ulster Farmers' Union, and other farming and food organisations, the NFU founded the Assured Food Standards company which administers the Red Tractor food quality mark.[12][13]

In 2003 Ben Gill stood down as NFU president.[14] Both deputy president Tim Bennett, and Derek Mead—a founding member of Farmers for Action (FFA) as well as a NFU Council member—stood as candidates.[14] Tim Benntt successfully defeated Derek Mead.[14] In late 2005, Derek Mead along with Farmers for Action chairman David Handley, established the pressure group Better NFU over what they saw as the failures of the NFU's leadership.[14][15][16] Better NFU also received support from Zac Goldsmith and Robin Page.[14][15] Following, the pressure groups' formation David Handley announced he would challenge sitting NFU President Tim Bennett for the position.[17][18] Handley said wished to see the NFU be more proactive and democratic, while his opponents feared he would turn the NFU into a larger version of the FFA.[18] Deputy President Peter Kendall also announced his candidacy.[18][19] Peter Kendall won ahead of both in the 2006 leadership contest. Handley would describe Kendall as more collaborative than prior NFU Presidents.[20]

As a part of the UK quango reforms by the Cameron–Clegg government, in 2013 the government prepared to abolish the Agricultural Wages Board—the body which had been responsible for regulating farm workers' wages.[21] As pressure grew to maintain the board, the NFU lobbied in support of abolishing it.[22][23] The government and the NFU were successful and in 2013 the board was abolished. In the same year, the NFU campaigned against the imposition of any cap on subsidies that farmers could receive.[22][24]

In 2016, the Ethical Consumer Research Association published a report Understanding the NFU - an English Agribusiness Lobby Group. The report described the NFU as promoting policies that benefit big agribusinesses at the expense of farm workers pay and conditions, the environment, and animal welfare.[25]

During the Brexit referendum, the NFU Council voted overwhelmingly to endorse the Remain campaign, but did not actively campaign on the issue.[26][27] In the lead-up to the referendum, the NFU commissioned a report by Wageningen University which found that two of three Brexit scenarios could increase farm-gate prices.[27]

In 2018, the NFU Council elected Minette Batters, deputy president of the NFU since 2014, as the NFU's president.[28] She defeated the only other candidate, Guy Smith, who became her deputy.[29] She stepped down as president in February 2024 and was succeeded by Tom Bradshaw without any challengers.[30][31]

In the October 2024 budget, the Labour government announced reforms to inheritance tax which revoke the exemptions for agricultural estates. From April 2026, these estates will be taxed at 20% (half the standard rate) but the first £1 million of the property value will continue to be exempt.[32] The NFU opposed the reforms, and responded by organising a protest in London.[33]

The archives of the NFU are deposited with the Rural History Centre at Reading University.[34]

Structure and function

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Shared NFU and NFU Mutual stand at the Devon County Show

The NFU is registered as an employer association with the Certification Office for Trade Unions and Employers' Associations.[11] Despite potential confusion due to "Union" being in the NFU's name, it is not a trade union.[35]

The NFU is governed by its constitution and rules, which state that the NFU shall maintain a number of bodies which are responsible for the governance of the NFU. These include the NFU Council, Governance Board, Policy Board, National Commodity Boards, Regional Commodity Boards, an Audit and Remuneration Committee and Legal Board and Regional Boards.[36]

The NFU is led by its president (currently Tom Bradshaw since 2024). The position is elected by the 92 member NFU Council, the NFU's governing body.[18]

The NFU is closely associated with the insurance company NFU Mutual.

Prior to its abolition in 2013, the National Farmers' Union nominated eight employers' representatives to the Agricultural Wages Board of England and Wales.[37]

NFU Cymru

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NFU Cymru logo

NFU Cymru is the constituent Welsh branch of the NFU. It was formed in 1999 in response to Welsh devolution and the formation of the Welsh Senedd.[38] NFU Cymru's current president is Aled Jones who has held the role since 2022.[38][39]

NFU Cymru is based at the Royal Welsh Showground in Builth Wells.

NFU Cyrmu nominates one of the two employers' representatives on the seven-member Agricultural Advisory Panel for Wales.[40]

British Agriculture Bureau

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The British Agriculture Bureau (BAB) is the joint office of the NFU, the National Farmers' Union of Scotland and Ulster Farmers' Union in Brussels. The BAB lobbies for the British farming industry in regards to European Union policy.[10][11][41]

Presidents

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List of presidents of the NFU since 1945:

Election results

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1918 general election[7]
Constituency Candidate Votes % Position
Barnard Castle Octavius Monkhouse 1,274 10.0 4
East Norfolk William Benjamin Taylor 1,926 12.3 3
Hertford Edmund Broughton Barnard 7,158 38.8 2
Leominster Ernest Wilfred Langford 2,870 17.4 3
Ormskirk Stephen Hirst 4,989 28.3 3
Richmond (Yorkshire) William Parlour 4,907 33.2 2

Barnard was also sponsored by the National Party.

1922 general election[7]
Constituency Candidate Votes % Position
Carmarthen Daniel Johns 4,775 15.9 3
Howdenshire H. J. Winn 7,021 39.5 2
Leominster Ernest Shepperson 10,798 53.1 1
Ormskirk Francis Blundell 11,921 58.7 1
Rutland and Stamford E. Clark 4,471 20.3 3
Stone Joseph Lamb 7,742 38.3 1
Wells Robert Bruford 10,210 47.7 1

Blundell, Bruford, Lamb and Shepperson stood for the Conservative Party.

1923 general election[7]
Constituency Candidate Votes % Position
Leominster Ernest Shepperson 11,582 57.3 1
Ormskirk Francis Blundell 10,598 53.0 1
Stone Joseph Lamb 10,001 50.8 1
Wells Robert Bruford 9,909 44.2 2

All candidates stood for the Conservative Party.

1924 general election[7]
Constituency Candidate Votes % Position
Leominster Ernest Shepperson 13,237 52.5 1
Stone Joseph Lamb 12,856 57.3 1

Both candidates stood for the Conservative Party.

in the 1935 general election, two candidates were sponsored and elected for the Conservative Party.[who?][citation needed]

Arms

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Coat of arms of National Farmers' Union of England and Wales
Notes
Granted 9 September 1946[51]
Crest
On a wreath of the colours a scythe and sceptre in saltire Or.
Escutcheon
Vert a chevron Ermine between in dexter chief a hull's head and in sinister chief a ram's head caboshed and in base three ears of wheat banded all Or.
Motto
Labore Agricolae Floreat Civitas
May the state prosper through the farmer‘s toil

See also

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Footnotes

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  1. ^ Later known as the Amalgamated Labour League
  2. ^ Known later as the National Agricultural Labourers Union
  3. ^ Also known as: National Agricultural Labourers and Rural Workers Union (1910–1920), National Union of Agricultural Workers (1920–1968)
  4. ^ Later known as the Central Landowners’ Association (1918–1949), then as the Country Landowners’ Association, (1949–unclear), and now known as the Country Land and Business Association.

References

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  1. ^ "Find out about the NFU". www.nfuonline.com. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
  2. ^ a b Cox, Graham; Lowe, Philip; Michael, Winter (1 January 1991). "The Origins and Early Development of the National Farmers' Union" (PDF). Agricultural History Review. 39: 30–47 – via British Agricultural History Society.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Newby, Howard (1987). Country life: a social history of rural England. London: Weidenfeld and Nicolson. ISBN 978-0-297-79063-1.
  4. ^ "Country Landowners' Association". The MERL. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  5. ^ a b c Howson, Susan (2011). Lionel Robbins. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-1-139-50109-5.
  6. ^ a b "The history of the NFU". www.nfuonline.com. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
  7. ^ a b c d e Craig, F. W. S. (1975). Minor Parties in British By-elections, 1885–1974. London: Macmillan Press. p. 56.
  8. ^ a b "From humble beginnings... a history of the FUW". North Wales Daily Post. 17 November 2005. Retrieved 5 November 2015.
  9. ^ Self, Peter; Storing, Herbert J. (1963). The State and the Farmer. University of California Press. pp. 57. GGKEY:Z0JQUCL5Z4C.
  10. ^ a b "About us". www.britishagriculturebureau.co.uk. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  11. ^ a b c Harrison, Rob; Berry, Hannah; Strange, Ruth (2016). "Understanding the NFU - an English Agribusiness Lobby-group" (PDF). www.ethicalconsumer.org. Ethical Consumer Research Association. p. 101.
  12. ^ Harrison, Berry & Strange 2016, p. 73.
  13. ^ "Who We Are: The Red Tractor Team". Red Tractor Assurance. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  14. ^ a b c d e f WalesOnline (13 December 2005). "Pressure group hopes for a Better NFU". Wales Online. Retrieved 8 August 2024.
  15. ^ a b "Pressure group launched to challenge NFU leadership". Farmers Weekly. 12 December 2005. Archived from the original on 8 August 2024. Retrieved 8 August 2024.
  16. ^ "The NFU isn't working..." Better NFU. Archived from the original on 10 July 2006. Retrieved 8 August 2024.
  17. ^ Davies, Isabel (9 December 2005). "Handley to challenge Bennett in NFU vote". Farmers Weekly. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
  18. ^ a b c d Clarke, Richard (4 February 2006). "Battle for the NFU". The Grocer. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
  19. ^ Davies, Isabel (22 February 2006). "NFU Presidential vote draws closer and the battle is hotting up". Farmers Weekly. Archived from the original on 7 August 2011. Retrieved 8 August 2024.
  20. ^ "Firebrand Handley still up for the fight | Farm News | Farmers Guardian". www.farmersguardian.com. 8 July 2020. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
  21. ^ "Labour calls for Aricultural Wages Board not to be abolished". BBC News. 23 April 2013. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
  22. ^ a b Monbiot, George (8 July 2013). "The National Farmers' Union secures so much public cash yet gives nothing back". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
  23. ^ "MPs urged to continue support on AWB abolition". www.nfuonline.com. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
  24. ^ "Grain sampling at harvest – getting it right". www.nfuonline.com. 17 November 2022. Archived from the original on 19 August 2013. Retrieved 26 June 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  25. ^ Harrison, Berry & Strange 2016.
  26. ^ "EU referendum: National Farmers' Union backs staying in EU". BBC News. 18 April 2016. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
  27. ^ a b Association, Press (18 April 2016). "British farmers best served by UK staying in EU, says NFU". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
  28. ^ Sylvester, Alice Thompson and Rachel (12 July 2024). "Minette Batters: 'Losing herds to TB has driven farmers to the edge'". www.thetimes.com. Archived from the original on 12 July 2024. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  29. ^ "NFU elects first female president". BBC News. 21 February 2018. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
  30. ^ Harvey, Dave (21 February 2024). "Farming 'needs a plan' says outgoing NFU leader". BBC News. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  31. ^ Clarke, Philip (7 March 2024). "Interview: NFU president Tom Bradshaw speaks his mind". Farmers Weekly. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  32. ^ Horton, Helena (31 October 2024). "Why UK farmers may be left worse off by the budget". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
  33. ^ Evans, Catherine (19 November 2024). "Protesting farmers warn tax change is 'ticking time bomb'". BBC News. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
  34. ^ Chris Cook, The Routledge Guide to British Political Archives: Sources Since 1945 (Routledge: 2006), p. 345.
  35. ^ Harrison, Berry & Strange 2016, pp. 5–6, 94.
  36. ^ "NFU Democratic Structure". NFUonline. NFU. Retrieved 17 April 2015.
  37. ^ "The Agricultural Wages (England and Wales) Order 2012: A guide for workers and employers" (PDF). assets.publishing.service.gov.uk. United Kingdom Government. 5 September 2012. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  38. ^ a b "Our history". www.nfu-cymru.org.uk. Retrieved 8 August 2024.
  39. ^ Case, Philip (18 October 2023). "NFU Cymru president suffers devastating farm fire". Farmers Weekly. Retrieved 8 August 2024.
  40. ^ "What we do: Agricultural Advisory Panel for Wales". www.gov.wales. 7 March 2023. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  41. ^ "Celebrating 50 Years of The British Agriculture Bureau". www.nfus.org.uk. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  42. ^ "The papers and files of Sir Miles Thomas (Vice-Chairman of Morris Motors 1942–1947)". National Archives. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  43. ^ Leonard Amey, "President of NFU is ousted", The Times, 30 January 1970, p. 2.
  44. ^ "Butler, Hon. Sir Richard (Clive)", in Who Was Who 2011–2015 (2016, ISBN 9781472924322}
  45. ^ "Sir Richard Butler". 1 February 2012. Archived from the original on 30 March 2018. Retrieved 2 August 2024 – via www.telegraph.co.uk.
  46. ^ Relf, Tim (2 August 2019). "Tributes paid to ex-NFU president Sir Simon Gourlay". Farmers Weekly. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  47. ^ "Tributes paid to former NFU president who farmed at Knighton". County Times. 13 August 2019. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  48. ^ Graham, Rachel (29 March 2019). "Sir David Naish: tributes paid to former NFU president". The Grocer. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  49. ^ "Former NFU president Ben Gill dies". Farmers Weekly. 8 May 2014. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  50. ^ Tasker, Johann (31 December 2014). "Knighthood for former NFU president Peter Kendall". Farmers Weekly. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  51. ^ "National Farmers' Union". Heraldry of the World. Retrieved 2 February 2021.

Further reading

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