:National Farmers' Union of England and Wales

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

• farmworkers, those farming on land on which they had no control over;
• tenant farmers, those renting the land to farm; and
• landowners, those owning the agricultural land.{{Cite journal |last1=Cox |first1=Graham |last2=Lowe |first2=Philip |last3=Michael |first3=Winter |date=1991-01-01 |title=The Origins and Early Development of the National Farmers' Union |url=https://www.bahs.org.uk/AGHR/ARTICLES/39n1a3.pdf |journal=Agricultural History Review |volume=39 |pages=30–47 |via=British Agricultural History Society}}

The rise of the labour movement saw farmworkers organise agricultural trade unions such as the Lincolnshire Labour League{{Refn|Later known as the Amalgamated Labour League|group=note}} and the Warwickshire Agricultural Labourers Union.{{refn|Known later as the National Agricultural Labourers Union|group=note}} 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.

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. On 20 July 1906, the Eastern Counties Agricultural Labourers & Small Holders Union{{refn|Also known as: National Agricultural Labourers and Rural Workers Union (1910–1920), National Union of Agricultural Workers (1920–1968)|group=note}} was formed in an attempt to combat these retributions, and further renew unionisation efforts among farmworkers.{{Cite book |last=Newby |first=Howard |title=Country life: a social history of rural England |date=1987 |publisher=Weidenfeld and Nicolson |isbn=978-0-297-79063-1 |location=London}}

Further angered in their opposition to potential land reform by the Liberal government, the Central Land Association{{Refn|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.|group=note}} (CLA) was formed to represent landlords' interests against their farmers, and against the Liberal government.{{Cite web |title=Country Landowners' Association |url=https://merl.reading.ac.uk/collections/country-landowners-association/ |access-date=2024-07-06 |website=The MERL |language=en-GB}}

File:Royal Agricultural Hall, Islington.jpg, 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.

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.{{cite book |last1=Howson |first1=Susan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RZc97n5iL30C&pg=PA12 |title=Lionel Robbins |date=2011 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-1-139-50109-5 |pages= |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=The history of the NFU |url=https://www.nfuonline.com/about-us/our-history/ |access-date=2024-07-01 |website=www.nfuonline.com |language=en-gb}} By 1913, it had 20,000 members—a majority being tenant-farmers—and excluded landowners but allowed owner-occupying farmers.

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.{{Primary source inline|date=July 2024}}

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.{{cite book|last1=Craig|first1=F. W. S.|title=Minor Parties in British By-elections, 1885–1974|date=1975|publisher=Macmillan Press|location=London|pages=56}}

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

On 3 December 1955, 12 Welsh members of the NFU left and formed the rival Farmers' Union of Wales.{{cite news |date=2005-11-17 |title=From humble beginnings... a history of the FUW |url=http://www.dailypost.co.uk/business/business-news/humble-beginnings-history-fuw-2902984 |access-date=2015-11-05 |newspaper=North Wales Daily Post}}{{cite book |first1=Peter |last1=Self |url=https://archive.org/details/statefarmerbriti00self |title=The State and the Farmer |first2=Herbert J. |last2=Storing |publisher=University of California Press |year=1963 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/statefarmerbriti00self/page/57 57] |id=GGKEY:Z0JQUCL5Z4C |url-access=registration}} Verley Merchant, the NFU's Welsh Secretary, responded to the formation by saying "We will smash you in three months".

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.{{Cite web |title=About us |url=https://www.britishagriculturebureau.co.uk/about-us/ |access-date=2024-07-03 |website=www.britishagriculturebureau.co.uk |language=en-gb}}

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.{{Sfn|Harrison|Berry|Strange|2016|p=73}}{{Cite web |title=Who We Are: The Red Tractor Team |url=https://redtractorassurance.org.uk/who-we-are/ |access-date=2024-07-03 |website=Red Tractor Assurance |language=en-GB}}

In 2003 Ben Gill stood down as NFU president.{{Cite web |last=WalesOnline |date=2005-12-13 |title=Pressure group hopes for a Better NFU |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/local-news/pressure-group-hopes-better-nfu-2363073 |access-date=2024-08-08 |website=Wales Online |language=en}} 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. Tim Benntt successfully defeated Derek Mead. 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.{{Cite web |date=2005-12-12 |title=Pressure group launched to challenge NFU leadership |url=https://www.fwi.co.uk/farm-life/pressure-group-launched-to-challenge-nfu-leadership |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240808110526/https://www.fwi.co.uk/farm-life/pressure-group-launched-to-challenge-nfu-leadership |archive-date=8 August 2024 |access-date=2024-08-08 |website=Farmers Weekly |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=The NFU isn't working... |url=http://www.betternfu.org.uk |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060710024546/http://www.betternfu.org.uk/ |archive-date=10 July 2006 |access-date=8 August 2024 |website=Better NFU}} Better NFU also received support from Zac Goldsmith and Robin Page. Following, the pressure groups' formation David Handley announced he would challenge sitting NFU President Tim Bennett for the position.{{Cite web |last=Davies |first=Isabel |date=2005-12-09 |title=Handley to challenge Bennett in NFU vote |url=https://www.fwi.co.uk/business/handley-to-challenge-bennett-in-nfu-vote |access-date=2024-08-04 |website=Farmers Weekly |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Clarke |first=Richard |date=2006-02-04 |title=Battle for the NFU |url=https://www.thegrocer.co.uk/topics/battle-for-the-nfu/107373.article |access-date=2024-08-04 |website=The Grocer |language=en}} 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. Deputy President Peter Kendall also announced his candidacy.{{Cite web |last=Davies |first=Isabel |date=22 February 2006 |title=NFU Presidential vote draws closer and the battle is hotting up |url=https://www.fwi.co.uk/Articles/2006/02/22/92835/NFU+presidential+vote+draws+closer+and+the+battle+is+hotting.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110807145317/http://www.fwi.co.uk/Articles/2006/02/22/92835/NFU-presidential-vote-draws-closer-and-the-battle-is-hotting.htm |archive-date=7 August 2011 |access-date=8 August 2024 |website=Farmers Weekly}} Peter Kendall won ahead of both in the 2006 leadership contest. Handley would describe Kendall as more collaborative than prior NFU Presidents.{{Cite web |date=2020-07-08 |title=Firebrand Handley still up for the fight {{!}} Farm News {{!}} Farmers Guardian |url=https://www.farmersguardian.com/news/4091549/firebrand-handley-fight |access-date=2024-08-04 |website=www.farmersguardian.com |language=en}}

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.{{cite news |date=23 April 2013 |title=Labour calls for Aricultural Wages Board not to be abolished |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-22274739 |access-date=26 June 2024 |work=BBC News}} As pressure grew to maintain the board, the NFU lobbied in support of abolishing it.{{cite news |last=Monbiot |first=George |author-link=George Monbiot |date=8 July 2013 |title=The National Farmers' Union secures so much public cash yet gives nothing back |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/georgemonbiot/2013/jul/08/national-farmers-union-public |access-date=26 June 2024 |work=The Guardian |issn=0261-3077}}{{cite web |title=MPs urged to continue support on AWB abolition |url=https://www.nfuonline.com/archive |access-date=26 June 2024 |website=www.nfuonline.com }} 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.{{cite web |date=17 November 2022 |title=Grain sampling at harvest – getting it right |url=http://www.nfuonline.com/news/latest-news/nfu-president-at-heart-of-cap-battle/ |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130819022940/http://www.nfuonline.com/news/latest-news/nfu-president-at-heart-of-cap-battle/ |archive-date=19 August 2013 |access-date=26 June 2024 |website=www.nfuonline.com }}

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.{{Sfn|Harrison|Berry|Strange|2016|p=}}

During the Brexit referendum, the NFU Council voted overwhelmingly to endorse the Remain campaign, but did not actively campaign on the issue.{{Cite news |date=2016-04-18 |title=EU referendum: National Farmers' Union backs staying in EU |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-36078112 |access-date=2024-07-02 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}{{Cite news |agency=Press Association |date=2016-04-18 |title=British farmers best served by UK staying in EU, says NFU |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/apr/18/british-farmers-uk-eu-nfu-brexit-farming |access-date=2024-07-02 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}} 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.

In 2018, the NFU Council elected Minette Batters, deputy president of the NFU since 2014, as the NFU's president.{{Cite web |last=Sylvester |first=Alice Thompson and Rachel |date=2024-07-12 |title=Minette Batters: 'Losing herds to TB has driven farmers to the edge' |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/minette-batters-losing-herds-to-tb-has-driven-farmers-to-the-edge-kjmr2b0l03j |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240712183051/https://www.thetimes.com/article/minette-batters-losing-herds-to-tb-has-driven-farmers-to-the-edge-kjmr2b0l03j |archive-date=12 July 2024 |access-date=2024-07-12 |website=The Times|language=en}} She defeated the only other candidate, Guy Smith, who became her deputy.{{cite news|date=21 February 2018|title=NFU elects first female president|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-43146331|access-date=17 August 2021}} She stepped down as president in February 2024 and was succeeded by Tom Bradshaw without any challengers.{{Cite news |last=Harvey |first=Dave |date=2024-02-21 |title=Farming 'needs a plan' says outgoing NFU leader |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-wiltshire-68361766 |access-date=2024-07-07 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last=Clarke |first=Philip |date=2024-03-07 |title=Interview: NFU president Tom Bradshaw speaks his mind |url=https://www.fwi.co.uk/news/farm-policy/interview-nfu-president-tom-bradshaw-speaks-his-mind |access-date=2024-07-07 |website=Farmers Weekly |language=en-US}}

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{{Nbsp}}million of the property value will continue to be exempt.{{Cite news |last=Horton |first=Helena |date=2024-10-31 |title=Why UK farmers may be left worse off by the budget |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/oct/31/why-uk-farmers-may-be-left-worse-off-by-the-budget |access-date=2024-11-20 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}} The NFU opposed the reforms, and responded by organising a protest in London.{{Cite web |last=Evans |first=Catherine |date=2024-11-19 |title=Protesting farmers warn tax change is 'ticking time bomb' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8jyk4exkl0o |access-date=2024-11-20 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}

In 2025 NFU held an AgriFutures Diversity Conference{{Cite web |date=2025-02-20 |title=NFU Education launches groundbreaking AgriFuture Scholarship Programme |url=https://www.nfuonline.com/updates-and-information/nfu-education-launches-agrifuture-scholarship-programme/ |access-date=2025-02-20 |website=www.nfuonline.com |language=en-gb}} at STEAM house in Birmingham to promote inclusivity in agriculture.

The archives of the NFU are deposited with the Rural History Centre at Reading University.Chris Cook, The Routledge Guide to British Political Archives: Sources Since 1945 (Routledge: 2006), p. 345.

File:Trade and Charity Stands - Devon County Show 2023 (52925335089).jpg stand at the Devon County Show]]

The NFU is registered as an employer association with the Certification Office for Trade Unions and Employers' Associations.{{cite web |author=Harrison |first1=Rob |last2=Berry |first2=Hannah |last3=Strange |first3=Ruth |year=2016 |title=Understanding the NFU - an English Agribusiness Lobby-group |url=https://www.ethicalconsumer.org/sites/default/files/inline-files/nfu%20an%20english%20agribusiness%20lobby%20group.pdf |url-status= |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date= |work=www.ethicalconsumer.org |publisher=Ethical Consumer Research Association |page=101 }} Despite potential confusion due to "Union" being in the NFU's name, it is not a trade union.{{Sfn|Harrison|Berry|Strange|2016|pp=5–6, 94}}

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.{{cite web|title=NFU Democratic Structure|url=http://www.nfuonline.com/about-us/governance/our-democratic-structure/|website=NFUonline|publisher=NFU|access-date=17 April 2015}}

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.

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.{{Cite web |date=5 September 2012 |title=The Agricultural Wages (England and Wales) Order 2012: A guide for workers and employers |url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/69594/awo2012-guidance.pdf |access-date=15 July 2024 |website=assets.publishing.service.gov.uk |publisher=United Kingdom Government}}

File:NFU Cymru logo.png

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.{{Cite web |title=Our history |url=https://www.nfu-cymru.org.uk/about-us/our-history/ |access-date=2024-08-08 |website=www.nfu-cymru.org.uk |language=en-gb}} NFU Cymru's current president is Aled Jones who has held the role since 2022.{{Cite web |last=Case |first=Philip |date=2023-10-18 |title=NFU Cymru president suffers devastating farm fire |url=https://www.fwi.co.uk/news/nfu-cymru-president-suffers-devastating-farm-fire |access-date=2024-08-08 |website=Farmers Weekly |language=en-US}}

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.{{Cite web |date=2023-03-07 |title=What we do: Agricultural Advisory Panel for Wales |url=https://www.gov.wales/agricultural-advisory-panel-wales/what-we-do |access-date=2024-07-15 |website=www.gov.wales |language=en}}

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.{{Cite web |title=Celebrating 50 Years of The British Agriculture Bureau |url=https://www.nfus.org.uk/news/news/celebrating-50-years-of-the-british-agriculture-bureau |access-date=2024-07-03 |website=www.nfus.org.uk}}

List of presidents of the NFU since 1945:

• 1945: James Turner
• 1960: Miles Thomas{{cite web |title=The papers and files of Sir Miles Thomas (Vice-Chairman of Morris Motors 1942–1947) |url=https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/11d78ef0-235e-4578-9db1-394722c97c4b |access-date=2 August 2024 |publisher=National Archives}}
• 1960: Harold Woolley
• 1966: Gwilym Williams
• 1970: Henry PlumbLeonard Amey, "President of NFU is ousted", The Times, 30 January 1970, p. 2.
• 1979: Richard Butler"Butler, Hon. Sir Richard (Clive)", in Who Was Who 2011–2015 (2016, {{ISBN|9781472924322}}} {{Cite web |date=1 February 2012 |title=Sir Richard Butler |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/politics-obituaries/9055114/Sir-Richard-Butler.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180330012608/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/politics-obituaries/9055114/Sir-Richard-Butler.html |archive-date=30 March 2018 |access-date=2 August 2024 |via=www.telegraph.co.uk}}
• 1986: Simon Gourlay{{Cite web |last=Relf |first=Tim |date=2019-08-02 |title=Tributes paid to ex-NFU president Sir Simon Gourlay |url=https://www.fwi.co.uk/news/tributes-paid-to-ex-nfu-president-sir-simon-gourlay |access-date=2024-07-26 |website=Farmers Weekly |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2019-08-13 |title=Tributes paid to former NFU president who farmed at Knighton |url=https://www.countytimes.co.uk/news/17833218.sir-simon-gourlay-tributes-paid-former-nfu-president/ |access-date=2024-07-26 |website=County Times |language=en}}
• 1991: David Naish{{Cite web |last=Graham |first=Rachel |date=2019-03-29 |title=Sir David Naish: tributes paid to former NFU president |url=https://www.thegrocer.co.uk/people/sir-david-naish-tributes-paid-to-former-nfu-president/591900.article |access-date=2024-07-26 |website=The Grocer |language=en}}
• 1998: Ben Gill{{Cite web |date=2014-05-08 |title=Former NFU president Ben Gill dies |url=https://www.fwi.co.uk/news/former-nfu-president-ben-gill-dies |access-date=2024-07-26 |website=Farmers Weekly |language=en-US}}
• 2004: Tim Bennett
• 2006: Peter Kendall{{Cite web |last=Tasker |first=Johann |date=2014-12-31 |title=Knighthood for former NFU president Peter Kendall |url=https://www.fwi.co.uk/news/knighthood-former-nfu-president-peter-kendall |access-date=2024-07-26 |website=Farmers Weekly |language=en-US}}
• 2014: Meurig Raymond
• 2018: Minette Batters
• 2024: Tom Bradshaw

Barnard was also sponsored by the National Party.

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

All candidates stood for the Conservative Party.

Both candidates stood for the Conservative Party.

in the 1935 general election, two candidates were sponsored and elected for the Conservative Party.{{Who|date=July 2024}}{{Citation needed|date=July 2024}}

{{Infobox COA wide

|image=Coat of Arms of the National Farmers' Union.svg

|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.

|crest = On a wreath of the colours a scythe and sceptre in saltire Or.

|motto = Labore Agricolae Floreat Civitas
May the state prosper through the farmer‘s toil

|notes = Granted 9 September 1946{{cite web|url=https://www.heraldry-wiki.com/heraldrywiki/wiki/National_Farmers%27_Union |publisher=Heraldry of the World |access-date=2 February 2021 |title=National Farmers' Union}}|imagesize=150}}

• Agriculture in the United Kingdom
• National Farmers' Union of Scotland – Scottish sister organisation
• Ulster Farmers' Union – Northern Irish sister organisation
• Farmers' Union of Wales – Rival organisation in Wales
• Unite the Union (Food, Drink and Agricultural Section) – represents farmworkers in the UK and Ireland

{{reflist|group=note}}

{{Reflist}}

{{refbegin|30em}}

• {{Cite journal |last1=Cox |first1=Graham |last2=Lowe |first2=Philip |last3=Michael |first3=Winter |date=1991-01-01 |title=The Origins and Early Development of the National Farmers' Union |url=https://www.bahs.org.uk/AGHR/ARTICLES/39n1a3.pdf |journal=Agricultural History Review |volume=39 |pages=30–47 |via=British Agricultural History Society}}
• {{Cite book |last=Newby |first=Howard |title=Country life: a social history of rural England |date=1987 |publisher=Weidenfeld and Nicolson |isbn=978-0-297-79063-1 |location=London}}
• {{Cite book |last=Smith |first=Guy |url=https://www.worldcat.org/title/259735425 |title=A history of the NFU: from Campbell to Kendall |date=2008 |publisher=Hasgrove |isbn=978-1-84114-696-6 |location=Wellington, Somerset |oclc=259735425}}

{{refend}}

• {{Commons category-inline}}
• {{Official website}}

{{Agriculture in the United Kingdom}}

{{Agriculture in Wales}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:National Farmers' Union of England and Wales

Category:Agricultural organisations based in England

Category:Business organisations based in England

Category:Organisations based in Warwickshire

Category:Organizations established in 1908

Category:Farmers' organizations

Category:1908 establishments in England

Category:Agricultural organisations based in Wales

Category:Rural Coalition (England)

Category:Employers' organisations in the United Kingdom