National Farmers' Union - Revision history

Melissa Jones: /* Hired lobbyists */

2018-01-09T00:31:15Z

Hired lobbyists

Melissa Jones: typos

2018-01-09T00:30:52Z

typos

Melissa Jones: /* Brexit lobbying */ code fix for abbreviated references

2017-12-28T08:17:00Z

Brexit lobbying: code fix for abbreviated references

Melissa Jones: /* The NFU: the voice of British farming? */ grammar

2017-12-28T08:14:51Z

The NFU: the voice of British farming?: grammar

Melissa Jones: /* Brexit lobbying */ typos/tiny tweaks etc

2017-12-28T08:14:10Z

Brexit lobbying: typos/tiny tweaks etc

Tamasin Cave: /* Hired lobbyists */

2017-12-05T10:34:59Z

Hired lobbyists

Tamasin Cave at 20:05, 21 November 2017

2017-11-21T20:05:56Z

Tamasin Cave: /* Former NFU staff */

2017-11-20T21:34:16Z

Former NFU staff

Tamasin Cave at 21:33, 20 November 2017

2017-11-20T21:33:50Z

Tamasin Cave at 21:32, 20 November 2017

2017-11-20T21:32:57Z

@@ Line 18: / Line 18: @@
 However, the report also states that changes in regulation - whether through the EU (Withdrawal) Bill, or 'down the line' – must not undermine high standards in British farming. The challenge, it says, regarding both trade and production standards is one of balance.<ref name="fit"/>
 ===Hired lobbyists===
-The NFU has employed [[Portland PR]] as its lobbying agency since at September 2016 (according to Portland's client declarations). It is a canny move, given Portland's extensive links with the [[Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs]].
+The NFU has employed [[Portland PR]] as its lobbying agency since September 2016 (according to Portland's client declarations). It is a canny move, given Portland's extensive links with the [[Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs]].
 *[[George Eustice]], the farming minister, was a lobbyist at Portland before becoming an MP in 2010.
 *[[Michael Gove]], environment secretary wrote two lengthy articles for Portland, one in June 2016, the other in February 2017, about what Brexit would mean and what a "clean, quick Brexit" would look like.<ref>[https://www.totalpolitics.com/articles/news/curious-case-michael-gove-portland-and-ever-revolving-door The curious case of Michael Gove, Portland and the ever-revolving door], Total Politics, 27 September 2017</ref>

@@ Line 76: / Line 76: @@
 *[[Andrew Clark]], NFU Director of Policy
 *[[Martin Haworth]], NFU Director of Strategy. 'Following the EU Referendum in June 2016, Martin was appointed Director of Strategy. Working two days a week, Martin continues to be involved in high-level policy development with a strong emphasis on international affairs.'
-*[[Nick von Westenholz]], Director of EU Exit and International Trade. Former Chief Executive of the [[Crop Protection Association]], the chief lobby group for the pestcides industry.
+*[[Nick von Westenholz]], Director of EU Exit and International Trade. Former Chief Executive of the [[Crop Protection Association]], the chief lobby group for the pesticides industry.
 *[[Lucia Zitti]], NFU economist. Former policy adviser to [[COPA-COGECA]], representing farmers and their cooperatives in the EU.
 ===Westminster office===
@@ Line 113: / Line 113: @@
 A range of committees were set up to deal with the pressing issues of the day, including Insurance, Disturbance (concerned with land tenure), Local Taxation, Parliamentary and Manurial Values (the grand name for the process of assessing the value, for compensation purposes, of a crop in the ground at the end of a tenancy). Additional standing committees dealt with education, milk, fruit, hops and employment.<ref>Taken from www.nfu.org.uk before this website was replaced by www.nfuonline.org</ref>
-It was in the run up to the Second World War that the NFU began its very close relationship with the Ministry of Agriculture Food and Farming (MAFF). This was a result of the realisation by the British government of the time that food security was essential to Britain's overall security. This meant that food production had to be massively increased, and to secure this farmers had to be paid properly. After the War, the combination of global food shortage and the lack of dollars to buy food imports led to a continuation of this policy.
+It was in the run-up to the Second World War that the NFU began its very close relationship with the Ministry of Agriculture Food and Farming (MAFF). This was a result of the realisation by the British government of the time that food security was essential to Britain's overall security. This meant that food production had to be massively increased, and to secure this, farmers had to be paid properly. After the War, the combination of global food shortage and the lack of dollars to buy food imports led to a continuation of this policy.
 This relationship was cemented by the 1947 Agriculture Act, which essentially set in law the involvement of the NFU in all aspects of Governmental agricultural policy making. For example, under the 'Annual Review' of agricultural prices, which was instituted under the act, the NFU was given institutionalised access to the process of setting agricultural subsidies. By making the NFU a statutory consultee in agricultural policy, the Government handed the union unprecedented power to determine the future of the farmers whom they represented. The NFU and MAFF broadly agreed on the goal of agricultural policy, anyway at that time, which was to massively increase agricultural productivity and ensure that prices were set to provide farmers with a reasonable standard of living.
@@ Line 150: / Line 150: @@
 Ibid.
-Plumb, H (2001) The Plumb Line: a journey thorugh agriculture and politics (the Greycoat Press) (p. 19)
+Plumb, H (2001) The Plumb Line: a journey through agriculture and politics (the Greycoat Press) (p. 19)
 Taken from www.nfu.org.uk (before this website was replaced by www.nfuonline.org)

@@ Line 10: / Line 10: @@
 ===Post-Brexit deregulation===
-An NFU report from August 2017, called 'A regulatory register that's fit for purpose', discusses the issue of regulation post-Brexit. EU regulations were the cause of 'frustration' among farmers, it says, while Brexit provides a 'unique opportunity to assess the regulatory environment under which farming operates'.<ref>[https://www.nfuonline.com/assets/99106 A regulatory regime that's fit for purpose], NFU report, August 2017</ref>
+An NFU report from August 2017, called 'A regulatory register that's fit for purpose', discusses the issue of regulation post-Brexit. EU regulations were the cause of 'frustration' among farmers, it says, while Brexit provides a 'unique opportunity to assess the regulatory environment under which farming operates'.<ref name="fit">[https://www.nfuonline.com/assets/99106 A regulatory regime that's fit for purpose], NFU report, August 2017</ref>
 '''The NFU sees two opportunities to reform farming regulations:'''
 *First, the process of transferring EU laws into British laws, through the EU (Withdrawal) Bill (sometimes referred to as the Great Repeal Bill), should 'seek to exploit any opportunities' to improve laws, it says. 'While it is clear the Bill itself is not a vehicle for substantive changes in regulations,' it says, 'obvious positive opportunities should be taken where possible'.
-*Second, as the NFU points out, the government has made it clear it intends to review regulation after the UK leaves the EU. The NFU is developing proposals on specific regulations that it believes 'are ripe for reform as a priority'. On the NFU's priority list of regulations for reform are: the Nitrates Directive (EEC 91/676); Plant Protection Product regulations (EU 1107/2009); and 'aspects of compliance under the Common Agricultural Policy such as greening measures'. Other EU regulations listed in the document include: Energy Tax Directive (EC 2003/96); Renewable Energy Directive (EC 2009/28); Birds Directive (EC 2009/147); Habitats Directive (EEC 92/43); Drinking Water Directive (EC 98/83); Working Time Directive (EC 2003/88); Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (EC 2003/59); Maximum Levels for certain contaminants in food (EC 1881/2006); VAT Directive (EC 2006/112); Markets in Financial instruments Directive (EU 2014/65); Identification and registration of ovine and caprine animals (EC 21/2004).<ref>[https://www.nfuonline.com/assets/99106 A regulatory regime that's fit for purpose], NFU report, August 2017</ref>
+*Second, as the NFU points out, the government has made it clear it intends to review regulation after the UK leaves the EU. The NFU is developing proposals on specific regulations that it believes 'are ripe for reform as a priority'. On the NFU's priority list of regulations for reform are: the Nitrates Directive (EEC 91/676); Plant Protection Product regulations (EU 1107/2009); and 'aspects of compliance under the Common Agricultural Policy such as greening measures'. Other EU regulations listed in the document include: Energy Tax Directive (EC 2003/96); Renewable Energy Directive (EC 2009/28); Birds Directive (EC 2009/147); Habitats Directive (EEC 92/43); Drinking Water Directive (EC 98/83); Working Time Directive (EC 2003/88); Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (EC 2003/59); Maximum Levels for certain contaminants in food (EC 1881/2006); VAT Directive (EC 2006/112); Markets in Financial instruments Directive (EU 2014/65); Identification and registration of ovine and caprine animals (EC 21/2004).<ref name="fit"/>
 ===Hired lobbyists===
 The NFU has employed [[Portland PR]] as its lobbying agency since at September 2016 (according to Portland's client declarations). It is a canny move, given Portland's extensive links with the [[Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs]].

@@ Line 25: / Line 25: @@
 ==The NFU: the voice of British farming?==
-In 2001, the NFU claimed on its website to have over 150 000 members. It’s members are not, however, all farmers. The NFU press office claims that it has 65,000 'farmer and grower' members and 75,000 'countryside' members. There are also other smaller membership categories such as corporate members, retired farmer members, farming family members, professional members and student members. Only full farming members can attend meetings and vote on policy issues.
+In 2001, the NFU claimed on its website to have over 150 000 members. Its members are not, however, all farmers. The NFU press office claims that it has 65,000 'farmer and grower' members and 75,000 'countryside' members. There are also other smaller membership categories such as corporate members, retired farmer members, farming family members, professional members and student members. Only full farming members can attend meetings and vote on policy issues.
 At a forum organised by the Littoral Arts Project in 2001, however, Andrew Clark from the NFU stated, "In 1993 we had 96,000 full farming members, that figure is now down to 53,000 members". Figures from DEFRA show that in 2002, there were 163,800 full-time farmers in the UK. If Andrew Clark's figures are accurate, the NFU represents less than a third of full-time farmers.11 Whilst it is clear that over the last 10 years numbers have fallen as many farmers have left the industry, 'others have resigned in protest at what they regard as less than adequate representation.'12

@@ Line 3: / Line 3: @@
 ==Brexit lobbying==
-{{Template:Brexit badge}}Few industries will be affected by Brexit as much as farming. As a result, the NFU is lobbying hard to get its messages across to politicians and the public. It says it is engaged in every aspect of the negotiations affecting farming.
+{{Template:Brexit badge}}Few industries will be affected by Brexit as much as farming. As a result, the National Farmers' Union is lobbying hard to get its messages across to politicians and the public. It says it is engaged in every aspect of the negotiations affecting farming.
-It has produced detailed briefings  and hosted roadshows for members to engage with the many issues affecting the sector as a result of Brexit.
+It has produced detailed briefings and hosted roadshows for members to engage with the many issues affecting the sector as a result of Brexit.
-The NFU also has regular contact with policy makers, including ministers. For example, in the six months from November 2016 to April 2017, it met then secretary of state for the environment, [[Andrea Leadsom]] twice and [[George Eustice]], farming minister six times. Leadsom and Eustice also addressed the NFU's conference in February 2017. Eustice closed the conference in a discussion with  the Welsh government Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs, [[Lesley Griffiths]] on farming’s 'Ingredients for Success', post-Brexit. The discussion was chaired by [[George Pascoe-Watson]], partner at [[Portland Communications]], the NFU's lobbying agency.
+The NFU also has regular contact with policymakers, including ministers. For example, in the six months from November 2016 to April 2017, it met then secretary of state for the environment, [[Andrea Leadsom]] twice and [[George Eustice]], farming minister six times. Leadsom and Eustice also addressed the NFU's conference in February 2017. Eustice closed the conference in a discussion with the Welsh government Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs, [[Lesley Griffiths]] on farming’s 'Ingredients for Success', post-Brexit. The discussion was chaired by [[George Pascoe-Watson]], partner at [[Portland Communications]], the NFU's lobbying agency.
-===Post-Brexit de-regulation===
+===Post-Brexit deregulation===
 An NFU report from August 2017, called 'A regulatory register that's fit for purpose', discusses the issue of regulation post-Brexit. EU regulations were the cause of 'frustration' among farmers, it says, while Brexit provides a 'unique opportunity to assess the regulatory environment under which farming operates'.<ref>[https://www.nfuonline.com/assets/99106 A regulatory regime that's fit for purpose], NFU report, August 2017</ref>
-The NFU sees two opportunities to reform farming regulations:
+'''The NFU sees two opportunities to reform farming regulations:'''
-*First, the process of transfering EU laws into British laws, through the EU (Withdrawal) Bill (sometimes refered to as the Great Repeal Bill), should 'seek to exploit any opportunities' to improve laws, it says. 'While it is clear the Bill itself is not a vehicle for substantive changes in regulations,' it says, 'obvious positive opportunities should be taken where possible'.
+*First, the process of transferring EU laws into British laws, through the EU (Withdrawal) Bill (sometimes referred to as the Great Repeal Bill), should 'seek to exploit any opportunities' to improve laws, it says. 'While it is clear the Bill itself is not a vehicle for substantive changes in regulations,' it says, 'obvious positive opportunities should be taken where possible'.
-*Second, as the NFU points out,  the Government has made it clear it intends to review regulation after the UK leaves the EU. The NFU is developing proposals on specific regulations that it believes 'are ripe for reform as a priority'. On the NFU's priorty list of regulations for reform are: the Nitrates Directive (EEC 91/676); Plant Protection Product regulations (EU 1107/2009); and 'aspects of compliance under the Common Agricultural Policy such as greening measures'. Other EU regulations listed in the document include: Energy Tax Directive (EC 2003/96); Renewable Energy Directive (EC 2009/28); Birds Directive (EC 2009/147); Habitats Directive (EEC 92/43); Drinking Water Directive (EC 98/83); Working Time Directive (EC 2003/88); Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (EC 2003/59); Maximum Levels for certain contaminants in food (EC 1881/2006); VAT Directive (EC 2006/112); Markets in Financial instruments Directive (EU 2014/65); Identification and registration of ovine and caprine animals (EC 21/2004).<ref>[https://www.nfuonline.com/assets/99106 A regulatory regime that's fit for purpose], NFU report, August 2017</ref>
+*Second, as the NFU points out, the government has made it clear it intends to review regulation after the UK leaves the EU. The NFU is developing proposals on specific regulations that it believes 'are ripe for reform as a priority'. On the NFU's priority list of regulations for reform are: the Nitrates Directive (EEC 91/676); Plant Protection Product regulations (EU 1107/2009); and 'aspects of compliance under the Common Agricultural Policy such as greening measures'. Other EU regulations listed in the document include: Energy Tax Directive (EC 2003/96); Renewable Energy Directive (EC 2009/28); Birds Directive (EC 2009/147); Habitats Directive (EEC 92/43); Drinking Water Directive (EC 98/83); Working Time Directive (EC 2003/88); Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (EC 2003/59); Maximum Levels for certain contaminants in food (EC 1881/2006); VAT Directive (EC 2006/112); Markets in Financial instruments Directive (EU 2014/65); Identification and registration of ovine and caprine animals (EC 21/2004).<ref>[https://www.nfuonline.com/assets/99106 A regulatory regime that's fit for purpose], NFU report, August 2017</ref>
 However, the report also states that changes in regulation - whether through the EU (Withdrawal) Bill, or 'down the line' – must not undermine high standards in British farming. The challenge, it says, regarding both trade and production standards is one of balance.<ref>[https://www.nfuonline.com/assets/99106 A regulatory regime that's fit for purpose], NFU report, August 2017</ref>
@@ Line 20: / Line 20: @@
 ===Hired lobbyists===
 The NFU has employed [[Portland PR]] as its lobbying agency since at September 2016 (according to Portland's client declarations). It is a canny move, given Portland's extensive links with the [[Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs]].
-*[[George Eustice]], farming minister was a lobbyist at Portland before becoming an MP in 2010.
+*[[George Eustice]], the farming minister, was a lobbyist at Portland before becoming an MP in 2010.
-*[[Michael Gove]], environment secretary wrote two lengthy articles for Portland, one in June 2016, the other February 2017, about what Brexit would mean and then what a "clean, quick Brexit" would look like.<ref>[https://www.totalpolitics.com/articles/news/curious-case-michael-gove-portland-and-ever-revolving-door The curious case of Michael Gove, Portland and the ever-revolving door], Total Politics, 27 September 2017</ref>
+*[[Michael Gove]], environment secretary wrote two lengthy articles for Portland, one in June 2016, the other in February 2017, about what Brexit would mean and what a "clean, quick Brexit" would look like.<ref>[https://www.totalpolitics.com/articles/news/curious-case-michael-gove-portland-and-ever-revolving-door The curious case of Michael Gove, Portland and the ever-revolving door], Total Politics, 27 September 2017</ref>
 *[[James Starkie]] and [[Henry Cook]], both special advisers to [[Michael Gove]] are also ex-Portland (as were both of Gove's special advisers, [[Henry de Zoete]] and [[James Frayne]], when Gove was education secretary).

@@ Line 84: / Line 84: @@
 *[[Rocky Lorusso]], External Affairs Manager
 ===Former NFU staff===
-*[[Peter Kendall]] - president from 2006-present (as at 1 July 2010)<ref>[http://www.nfuonline.com/news/nfu-conference-2010/speakers/Peter-Kendall---NFU-President/ Peter Kendall - NFU President], NFU website, acc 1 Jul 2010</ref>
+*[[Peter Kendall]] - president from 2006<ref>[http://www.nfuonline.com/news/nfu-conference-2010/speakers/Peter-Kendall---NFU-President/ Peter Kendall - NFU President], NFU website, acc 1 Jul 2010</ref>
 *[[Richard Macdonald]] - former director general until he stepped down in 2009<ref>[http://www.farmersguardian.com/macdonald-to-step-down-as-nfu-director-general/23503.article Macdonald to step down as NFU director general], Farmers Guardian, 18 Feb 2009, acc 1 July 2010</ref>

@@ Line 87: / Line 87: @@
 *[[Richard Macdonald]] - former director general until he stepped down in 2009<ref>[http://www.farmersguardian.com/macdonald-to-step-down-as-nfu-director-general/23503.article Macdonald to step down as NFU director general], Farmers Guardian, 18 Feb 2009, acc 1 July 2010</ref>
-==Publications and projects==
+==NFU services==
 As well as representing its members' interests, the NFU provides a wide range of services to its members including help with legal, planning and taxation matters, marketing and food promotion (www.nfusl.com).

@@ Line 174: / Line 174: @@
 ==Notes==
 <references/>
-[[Category:Food Industry lobby groups]][[Category:GM]]
+[[Category:Food Industry lobby groups]][[Category:GM]][[Category:Brexit]]