WTF is briefing Minette Batters?

[Jackov Altraids]

Whether you are a member of the NFU or not, as far as most of the country is concerned, she is speaking on your behalf.

Yet again this morning, she was given a prime slot on Radio 4 to make comment and said nothing of any interest.

Please, please, please, can everyone support the BFU so that it might move towards having a spokesperson to put forward that actually has something to say and engage with the public.

 

[Jackov Altraids]

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@delilah has a fair point, she has no idea whatsoever as to what she wants.
And it was a fairly open goal when the RSPB didn't know either.

 

[Sid]

Whether you are a member of the NFU or not, as far as most of the country is concerned, she is speaking on your behalf.

Yet again this morning, she was given a prime slot on Radio 4 to make comment and said nothing of any interest.

Please, please, please, can everyone support the BFU so that it might move towards having a spokesperson to put forward that actually has something to say and engage with the public.

Wasted 7 minutes of radio opportunity. Both Minette and NT seemed scared to say anything at all.


So what's the BFUs collective thoughts on the subject?

Because from what I have read there is a whole lot of nothing going on in there!

 

[Dave645]

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@delilah has a fair point, she has no idea whatsoever as to what she wants.
And it was a fairly open goal when the RSPB didn't know either.

Thanks for sharing that, yes it was terrible, the fact the NFU still think 70% of farmers would have joined the scheme, the only ones that do, want to join are blocked by double funding because they already get large payments to do what the new scheme asked for.

they all play nice with on another, it’s like they had all agreed what was going to happen and now the bottoms dropped out of the scheme, and all bets are off, they still want what was agreed in the deal they had made with the government, despite nearly every farmer screaming the opposite.
If I had to guess, they all still wanted the 3 way even split of the pot, and the NFU seemed to go along with that as well.

 

[Dave645]

Wasted 7 minutes of radio opportunity. Both Minette and NT seemed scared to say anything at all.


So what's the BFUs collective thoughts on the subject?

Because from what I have read there is a whole lot of nothing going on in there!

They have a voice, and an opinion but need support, to get an invite to those type of media events they need stronger support and people willing to stick there head up and do these things.
And that’s up to all of us not just the few that are trying to start it.

 

[gone up the hill]

Minette has never been upto the job as president of the NFU and should never have been elected in the first place

No way in hell she would have got a second term and certainly a 3 rd term if it was one member one vote.

Only issue she can out talk anyone else on is RT and farm assurance, ironic really that this one issue that is causing so much damage to the industry and driving so many farms out/ making it impossible for young farmers to get into the industry!

If you want to see how a NFU leader should be doing it then look at what Dyson wrote in his article this weekend.

 

[Sid]

Thanks for sharing that, yes it was terrible, the fact the NFU still think 70% of farmers would have joined the scheme, the only ones that do, want to join are blocked by double funding because they already get large payments to do what the new scheme asked for.

they all play nice with on another, it’s like they had all agreed what was going to happen and now the bottoms dropped out of the scheme, and all bets are off, they still want what was agreed in the deal they had made with the government, despite nearly every farmer screaming the opposite.
If I had to guess, they all still wanted the 3 way even split of the pot, and the NFU seemed to go along with that as well.

Where was is quoted the NFU think 70% would join the scheme?
That was government target. Was never going to happen as the scheme is laid out now.

3 way split of pot, NFU going along with that?
Where was that quoted as being policy?

They have a voice, and an opinion but need support, to get an invite to those type of media events they need stronger support and people willing to stick there head up and do these things.
And that’s up to all of us not just the few that are trying to start it.

More of a mouse than a lion in terms of voice. Not seen anything in the farming press, no quotes, no spokesperson, no reply to consultations. The TFF splinter group managed to get infront of the Efra committee with no financial backing at all. What's the difference now?

 

[Sid]

Minette has never been upto the job as president of the NFU and should never have been elected in the first place

No way in hell she would have got a second term and certainly a 3 rd term if it was one member one vote.

Only issue she can out talk anyone else on is RT and farm assurance, ironic really that this one issue that is causing so much damage to the industry and driving so many farms out/ making it impossible for young farmers to get into the industry!

If you want to see how a NFU leader should be doing it then look at what Dyson wrote in his article this weekend.

The free marketeer that wants NO subs at all.
Apart from the 8 million he had to pay back for his fail electric car concept.
And the subs for his AD plants.
And the subs for farming

Free market my ass

 

[gone up the hill]

The free marketeer that wants NO subs at all.
Apart from the 8 million he had to pay back for his fail electric car concept.
And the subs for his AD plants.
And the subs for farming

Free market my ass

Every industry in the UK ( including supermarkets ) get subs either directly or indirectly !

He has invested millions/ billions into rural areas, created hundreds if not thousands of jobs in the these rural areas/ support industry's as well.

His article yesterday will have much more of an input at top Gov level/ air time from the media etc than batters very dire and under performing few minutes on the radio this morning!

 

[Treg]

Where was is quoted the NFU think 70% would join the scheme?
That was government target. Was never going to happen as the scheme is laid out now.

3 way split of pot, NFU going along with that?
Where was that quoted as being policy?


More of a mouse than a lion in terms of voice. Not seen anything in the farming press, no quotes, no spokesperson, no reply to consultations. The TFF splinter group managed to get infront of the Efra committee with no financial backing at all. What's the difference now?

BFU was the only farming organisation to give costings in the ELMS enquiry, both for Organic & Conventional, watch the MPs grill the NFU on costings and they didn't have a clue.
The Efra Committee FULLY took on board the costings given , why do you think it's fallen apart this week.
Thank you , as being a member of the splinter group as well it takes alot of hard work and commitment to get these things done, a huge amount of credit needs to be given to @holwellcourtfarm for the work he's put in .
I did the BFU submission it took alot out of my working week and also @Grass And Grain provided costings at a time when he was extremely busy.

 

[gone up the hill]

Batters was quoted on the BBC website earlier this morning as saying she still supports Elms being introduced....

 

[Sid]

Every industry in the UK ( including supermarkets ) get subs either directly or indirectly !

He has invested millions/ billions into rural areas, created hundreds if not thousands of jobs in the these rural areas/ support industry's as well.

His article yesterday will have much more of an input at top Gov level/ air time from the media etc than batters very dire and under performing few minutes on the radio this morning!

Indeed they do buy to say your a free marketee yet take the sub is a bit two faced?

Most of his products are made in Malaysia, where no doubt he got paid to locate them.

Is that the free market?

If inflation continues like it has we will all be in a free market because the subs will pail into insignificance.

As for this mornings radio . Poor interviewing IMHO

 

[Sid]

BFU was the only farming organisation to give costings in the ELMS enquiry, both for Organic & Conventional, watch the MPs grill the NFU on costings and they didn't have a clue.
The Efra Committee FULLY took on board the costings given , why do you think it's fallen apart this week.
Thank you , as being a member of the splinter group as well it takes alot of hard work and commitment to get these things done, a huge amount of credit needs to be given to @holwellcourtfarm for the work he's put in .
I did the BFU submission it took alot out of my working week and also @Grass And Grain provided costings at a time when he was extremely busy.

Wasn't that before the bfu was set up?
I submitted my costings, which took me a whole lot of time for the paltry renumeration in the test and trails.

All 3 levels I was loosing money. Also said it HAS to be index linked.

Don't think it's just the BFU that's working hard FOC!

 

[Sid]

Batters was quoted on the BBC website earlier this morning as saying she still supports Elms being introduced....

Nothing wrong with the concept of ELMs.
Everything wrong with trying to do it on the cheap! Apart from the consultants they are paying.

 

[gone up the hill]

Indeed they do buy to say your a free marketee yet take the sub is a bit two faced?

Most of his products are made in Malaysia, where no doubt he got paid to locate them.

Is that the free market?

If inflation continues like it has we will all be in a free market because the subs will pail into insignificance.

As for this mornings radio . Oh dear that's all

Sub payments have not kept up with inflation at all the last few years and this year it certainly has not.

And as you know ref the fencing grants etc, they are still set on 2012 prices of stakes/wire labour etc and in the last 10 years these products have nigh on doubled in price yet the payment rates are still set on 2012 rates and the Gov refuse point blank to increase them to take inflation into account!

If Batters cannot do a better job than she did this morning she needs to resign as president on health grounds and let someone else who is capable and upto the job take over at this very critical time in the industry's future!

 

[Treg]

Wasn't that before the bfu was set up?
I submitted my costings, which took me a whole lot of time for the paltry renumeration in the test and trails.

All 3 levels I was loosing money. Also said it HAS to be index linked.

Don't think it's just the BFU that's working hard FOC!

No there was a ELMS enquiry afew weeks ago.
Your information on costings needed to be put to Efra .
Did the NFU ask you for information for the recent Efra Submission? Bet you they didn't.
I know the BFU are not the only ones working hard, I was just explaining the time it takes to do these things.

 

[glasshouse]

Radio 4 - Listen Live - BBC Sounds

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@delilah has a fair point, she has no idea whatsoever as to what she wants.
And it was a fairly open goal when the RSPB didn't know either.

She wont go against the big landowners who want elms to featherbed them and screw food production

 

[Sid]

Sub payments have not kept up with inflation at all the last few years and this year it certainly has not.

And as you know ref the fencing grants etc, they are still set on 2012 prices of stakes/wire labour etc and in the last 10 years these products have nigh on doubled in price yet the payment rates are still set on 2012 rates and the Gov refuse point blank to increase them to take inflation into account!

If Batters cannot do a better job than she did this morning she needs to resign as president on health grounds and let someone else who is capable and upto the job take over at this very critical time in the industry's future!

Oh I agree on payment rates, especially the capital one.
Dire!

As for her interview, poor questions IMHO

 

[Sid]

No there was a ELMS enquiry afew weeks ago.
Your information on costings needed to be put to Efra .
Did the NFU ask you for information for the recent Efra Submission? Bet you they didn't.
I know the BFU are not the only ones working hard, I was just explaining the time it takes to do these things.

I am constantly feeding information to various places.
It's all part and parcel and yes takes time that your not renumeration fir but do for the greater good!

 

[Goweresque]

She's a mouthpiece for the non-farming commercial interests that dominate the NFU's income. They are 'farming union' in name only now. Anything that rocks the boat for Big Ag interests will not be brought up. Hence why she can't think on the fly or represent the interests of the farming members, everything has to be cleared by the real power behind the throne, the food retailers and processors, and the large multinational cartels that grow fat supplying farming with their inputs.