Ex NFU members

[homefarm]

Following @Spud comments in the BSPB thread I thought I would clarify why I comment on the NFU.

As above I am an ex-member, as are most non members who comment on the NFU are I believe.
Are ex members different to non members?
I think they are.
There are reasons why we left and it has nothing to do with the membership fee. I comment in the hope of change.
I would love to rejoin a modern NFU.

Clive does provide the platform for us to air our views if you do not want us back take no notice

 

[Clive]

ii’ve said many times before, I am not “anti NFU” and that nothing would make me happier than to re join

but the reasons I resigned membership need to change first

those reasons are

1) red tractor - I’m all for assurance but the protection racket they created needs a complete rethinking, it’s flawed, pointless, meaningless to consumers and achieves nothing more than add unnecessary cost to our business. It should be a opportunity rather than the current burden it is

2) complete overhaul and reform of media and PR strategy to reflect how things are achieved today. Uk Ag has been left defenceless against attack from agenda groups and is very damaged as a result. A LOT of money is being spent very badly and ineffectively at the moment. Lack of understanding and importance of digital media is simply negligent and a massive missed opportunity, what they do right now in that area is shockingly lacking and clearly lack the expertise needed

3) Fully transparent democracy - one member one vote and modernisation to get i more evolvement from members other than the small minority that turn up to committee meetings and want or have time to be on boards, an organisation that truly reflect the majority of its members not just as is so often case the political career minded

4) release some of of the huge financial reserves to help farmers in serious crisis and to repair the damage done to this industry after a decade of proper media neglect

5) expulsion of any none farming members - merchants, processors, retailer, input suppliers, people with a house in the country should get their own union and not influence ours. It’s simply not possible to represent all when often clear conflict of interest exists

The NFU do a lot of good stuff and the farmers that put time and effort into that do a great job that I’m very grateful for, I know a lot of them and count many as friends.

Members show their gratitude to the 800 paid employees in the form of a salary and owe them no gratitude beyond that provision of a job and members should always question the success of their performance and value as you would any employee. That’s not “rude” as I’ve been accused of, it’s common sense

 

[MrNoo]

I am an ex-member, tired of the lack of action. It was always "behind the scenes consultations etc" that apparently were taking place. Some of these recent claims re farming, vegans, TB and general anti farming propaganda should be countered with substance but it would appear very little emerges in the press, Twitter etc etc.
Like you I dont begrudge the fee but I just would need to see something actively being done. Also the Red Tractor Farce and NFU's involvement pretty much finished the NFU off re my desire to stay a member.
Being told I could get a % discount on my new Land Rover purchase when I phoned up to cancel didnt help their cause either, maybe they need to realize that some of us dont swan about in RR's all day apart from the fact that most wouldnt last a day before breaking down.

 

[Victor]

I am an ex-member, tired of the lack of action. It was always "behind the scenes consultations etc" that apparently were taking place. Some of these recent claims re farming, vegans, TB and general anti farming propaganda should be countered with substance but it would appear very little emerges in the press, Twitter etc etc.
Like you I dont begrudge the fee but I just would need to see something actively being done. Also the Red Tractor Farce and NFU's involvement pretty much finished the NFU off re my desire to stay a member.
Being told I could get a % discount on my new Land Rover purchase when I phoned up to cancel didnt help their cause either, maybe they need to realize that some of us dont swan about in RR's all day apart from the fact that most wouldnt last a day before breaking down.

I've had very good service out of my landrover only broke down once in 15 years

 

[MrNoo]

I've had very good service out of my landrover only broke down once in 15 years

You must have an old one then!!! A lot I know who have them complain bitterly about them, anyway I digress.

 

[Cowcorn]

ii’ve said many times before, I am not “anti NFU” and that nothing would make me happier than to re join

but the reasons I resigned membership need to change first

those reasons are

1) red tractor - I’m all for assurance but the protection racket they created needs a complete rethinking, it’s flawed, pointless, meaningless to consumers and achieves nothing more than add unnecessary cost to our business. It should be a opportunity rather than the current burden it is

2) complete overhaul and reform of media and PR strategy to reflect how things are achieved today. Uk Ag has been left defenceless against attack from agenda groups and is very damaged as a result. A LOT of money is being spent very badly and ineffectively at the moment

3) Fully transparent democracy - one member one vote and modernisation to get i more evolvement from members other than the small minority that turn up to committee meetings and want or have time to be on boards, an organisation that truly reflect the majority of its members not just as is so often case the political career minded

4) release some of of the huge financial reserves to help farmers in serious crisis and to repair the damage done to this industry after a decade of proper media neglect

5) expulsion of any none farming members - merchants, processors, retailer, input suppliers, people with a house in the country should get their own union and not influence ours

The NFU do a lot of good stuff and the farmers that put tine and effort into that do a great job that I’m very grateful for, I know a lot of them and count many as friends.

Members show their gratitude to the 800 paid employees in the form of a salary and owe them no gratitude beyond that provision of a job and members should always question the success of their performance and value as you would any employee. That’s not “rude” as I’ve been accused of, it’s common sense

Well said, but unfortunately you are probably howling into the wind . But at least you can see whats wrong with the current structure which is a relic of times long past . And in the country of the blind the one eyed man is king ......

 

[Clive]

Well said, but unfortunately you are probably howling into the wind . But at least you can see whats wrong with the current structure which is a relic of times long past . And in the country of the blind the one eyed man is king ......

wothout doubt I’m “howling in the wind”

Most think I’m just being rude but I’m long past caring what anyone thinks of me and quite prepared to just say it as I see it unlike many others it seems

 

[Martyn]

Do they really employ 800 staff, scary to think how many people are employed through NFU, Red Tractor, And all the levy boards. I know some off the NFU staff will be part time and have a ag involvement but i expect hell of a lot of the above employees dont ever touch a cow, a cereal or crop, or any other commercial kept animals.

 

[Clive]

Do they really employ 800 staff, scary to think how many people are employed through NFU, Red Tractor, And all the levy boards. I know some off the NFU staff will be part time and have a ag involvement but i expect hell of a lot of the above employees dont ever touch a cow, a cereal or crop, or any other commercial kept animals.

it’s all available to read in their published accounts - one thing they certainty do not lack is cash and resources

wage bill is £21 million a year ! Then pensions etc

is it wrong or “rude” to question if that’s good value ?

 

[deleted user 837354]

it’s all available to read in their published accounts - one thing they certainty do not lack is cash and resources

wage bill is £21 million a year ! Then pensions etc

is it wrong or “rude” to question if that’s good value ?

The NFU spend 21 million quid on salaries?

I find that staggering personally. This payment per acre is nonsense and should be a flat fee per member, end of story.

 

[bobk]

What I find interesting is the NFU don't give a toss if you stay or leave .

 

[Dman2]

What gets me is your subs are determined by farm size.
Now to me with my piddling 220 acres, that seems like my neighbour with 1000acres is going to get a better service than I am
And to be honest I hope he does get a better service than i did when I was a member.

 

[Spud]

Interesting how ex members think that abandoning the ship at a time when unity has never been so important is the way to make things better.

The NFU is far from perfect, but it's a long way from the disaster some make it out to be.

 

[Spud]

Interesting how ex members think that abandoning the ship at a time when unity has never been so important is the way to make things better.

The NFU is far from perfect, but it's a long way from the disaster some make it out to be.

 

[Grass And Grain]

Was a member. We left because we didn't think the NFU fought hard enough for farmers.

If they would listen to the majority of farmers and change their stance on RT, then we would love to re-join.

If they had anything to do with representing farmers with the creation of the BSPB royalties regulations (as per current thread), where the legislation would have us pay twice in the case of a failed crop, then they weren't working very hard for us.

 

[Grass And Grain]

Interesting how ex members think that abandoning the ship at a time when unity has never been so important is the way to make things better.

The NFU is far from perfect, but it's a long way from the disaster some make it out to be.

Fair comment Spud, but if they won't listen then sometimes the only thing to do is vote with your feet. They might then eventually get the message.

Edit. Probably not dissimilar to the vote to leave the EU. The people at the top thought they knew best and were untouchable and would not change their views - so the member country of the UK voted to leave.

 

[Top Tip.]

ii’ve said many times before, I am not “anti NFU” and that nothing would make me happier than to re join

but the reasons I resigned membership need to change first

those reasons are

1) red tractor - I’m all for assurance but the protection racket they created needs a complete rethinking, it’s flawed, pointless, meaningless to consumers and achieves nothing more than add unnecessary cost to our business. It should be a opportunity rather than the current burden it is

2) complete overhaul and reform of media and PR strategy to reflect how things are achieved today. Uk Ag has been left defenceless against attack from agenda groups and is very damaged as a result. A LOT of money is being spent very badly and ineffectively at the moment. Lack of understanding and importance of digital media is simply negligent and a massive missed opportunity, what they do right now in that area is shockingly lacking and clearly lack the expertise needed

3) Fully transparent democracy - one member one vote and modernisation to get i more evolvement from members other than the small minority that turn up to committee meetings and want or have time to be on boards, an organisation that truly reflect the majority of its members not just as is so often case the political career minded

4) release some of of the huge financial reserves to help farmers in serious crisis and to repair the damage done to this industry after a decade of proper media neglect

5) expulsion of any none farming members - merchants, processors, retailer, input suppliers, people with a house in the country should get their own union and not influence ours. It’s simply not possible to represent all when often clear conflict of interest exists

The NFU do a lot of good stuff and the farmers that put tine and effort into that do a great job that I’m very grateful for, I know a lot of them and count many as friends.

Members show their gratitude to the 800 paid employees in the form of a salary and owe them no gratitude beyond that provision of a job and members should always question the success of their performance and value as you would any employee. That’s not “rude” as I’ve been accused of, it’s common sense

I find it intriguing the aversion to quality assurance schemes across the border. In Scotland they do come in for some criticism but they are definitely seen as a marketing tool we would not be without.

 

[homefarm]

Interesting how ex members think that abandoning the ship at a time when unity has never been so important is the way to make things better.

The NFU is far from perfect, but it's a long way from the disaster some make it out to be.

If I thought my membership fee would make a difference I would rejoin, but the NFU is not short of funds.
So can we agree it is not about the money on either side.

You agree it is not perfect, I agree it does some good.

How about this one, forget Clive wrote it.

3) Fully transparent democracy - one member one vote and modernisation to get i more evolvement from members other than the small minority that turn up to committee meetings and want or have time to be on boards, an organisation that truly reflect the majority of its members not just as is so often case the political career minded

Pass this and I will rejoin. The rest will then happen.

 

[yellowbelly]

I find it intriguing the aversion to quality assurance schemes across the border. In Scotland they do come in for some criticism but they are definitely seen as a marketing tool we would not be without.

I'm sure the aversion is not to the quality assurance schemes themselves but to the plethora of new nit-picking rules that the scheme administrators keep dreaming up, every year to keep themselves in a job.

 

[SilliamWhale]

I find it intriguing the aversion to quality assurance schemes across the border. In Scotland they do come in for some criticism but they are definitely seen as a marketing tool we would not be without.

I dont think its the Assurance per se its the changing and gold plating of the rules each year that are going above and beyond safety and traceability issues.