First step in the fight back.

Vader

Member
Mixed Farmer
There seems to be plenty of farmers sick of RT and NFU.
So surely the first thing to do is form a farming group.
Surely some on here we can trust to oversee the first steps?

We just need a name and say a tenner joining fee.
See how many we can get signed up.
If we then got a good % of farmers on board we can then move forward.
If we could get more members than nfu, then we could goto the gov and say we represent uk farming, not the nfu.

Gives a proper negotiation power if all stand together.
Plenty have talked about helping fund legal challenges, etc
So let's see how many would join the group.
At the moment we are just lots if single voices, need to all speak together.

A members only part to this forum, where things could be voted on and discussed?
 

Grass And Grain

Member
Mixed Farmer
Location
Yorks
I think you're right.

It's no small task, but I think would go internet viral.

95% detest RT, and would LOVE to join a club whereby farmers gain collective power. Then WE would control RT.

Atm only thing we've got to fight RT is the NFU, and they don't appear to be fighting 100% for the farmer.

Harvest provably isn't the time to launch this, but right now is a good time to discuss it and plan it.

It's a good idea and gives us control. Depending on what RT announce about the consultation, I think it should be done. RT need to fix the imports problem. If not, do as you suggest.

Power is in the list of names.

Currently RT have control of that list. With the internet, we can have that list, and that power.
 

Treg

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
Cornwall
Tff Grassroots group has already achieved alot speaking to the Efra Committee & over stuff going on behind the scenes, they have shown what a small group of like minded farmers can achieve & also that the Government wants to listen to their views.
They have used the forum as their base & discussion area but have been open & provided their real names when dealing with Government & others.
 

Fendt65

Member
A couple of things jump out

We are mostly just a bunch of characters on here, so real names would be required for Gov to take us seriously.

We would need proof that we are from the UK and not getting votes from just anywhere in the world.

This is not said in opposition, merely an observation.
Are you honestly saying that the government have not heard of “baldrick”, good idea though.
 
We are mostly just a bunch of characters on here, so real names would be required for Gov to take us seriously
When the NFU rock up to a meeting with the government to they take with them a list of names or do they just claim to represent X number, who they probably haven’t consulted?

I’m sure real names would be needed for membership along with some details of farming most likely to give an indication of the size and type of farming represented but not sure it would need a change to usernames for the purposes of the forum
 

yellowbelly

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
N.Lincs
A couple of things jump out

We are mostly just a bunch of characters on here, so real names would be required for Gov to take us seriously.

We would need proof that we are from the UK and not getting votes from just anywhere in the world.

This is not said in opposition, merely an observation.
@Chris F and his wizz kids at TFF Towers already hold our details. Maybe they would be able to ensure all that wanted to join were bona fide UK farmers?
 

DaveGrohl

Member
Mixed Farmer
Location
Cumbria
There seems to be plenty of farmers sick of RT and NFU.
So surely the first thing to do is form a farming group.
Surely some on here we can trust to oversee the first steps?

We just need a name and say a tenner joining fee.
See how many we can get signed up.
If we then got a good % of farmers on board we can then move forward.
If we could get more members than nfu, then we could goto the gov and say we represent uk farming, not the nfu.

Gives a proper negotiation power if all stand together.
Plenty have talked about helping fund legal challenges, etc
So let's see how many would join the group.
At the moment we are just lots if single voices, need to all speak together.

A members only part to this forum, where things could be voted on and discussed?
I reckon you could be the perfect leader for the new Federation
 

delilah

Member
The world has changed, for better or worse, formal structures are less appropriate in the digital age, you can achieve alot these days without strength in numbers.
Anyway, getting the NFU to do their job better, will be much easier than trying to set something new up.
Anyone who wants to join a body that may better reflect their views on food and farming, have a look at the Landworkers Alliance.
https://landworkersalliance.org.uk/
 

delilah

Member
I’m sure you’re right, although judging by opinions on here that is an impossible task.

Would need some sort of vote of no confidence in the current leadership and management and a whole new team..........but how

I did say on here some months ago that I wished to put forward a motion to the next AGM that only active farmers could belong to the NFU, if anyone thinks that would be a start then they should say so.
All those on here who are members, when was the last time you contacted your local elected rep to give a view on something ? Make a nuisance of yourself, that's what being a member is meant to be about, not just using to get discounts of stuff.
 

DRC

Member
I’m sure you’re right, although judging by opinions on here that is an impossible task.

Would need some sort of vote of no confidence in the current leadership and management and a whole new team..........but how
If everyone resigned their NFU membership like we did when red tractor was foisted on us, they would have to take notice. But too many farmers seem frightened to upset their local agent/ have their insurance with them/ must enjoy the Kudos of being in it.
I’ve always found the tenant farmers association a better bet .
 

Jackov Altraids

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
Devon
I would keep things simple.
We need to ask people to join a union of actual British farmers with the sole original aim of enabling members to market their produce without RT.

This could easily succeed with a fairly nominal fee and then members could be asked if they would wish for the union to become their fully fledged representation as an alternative / replacement of NFU.
 

Sid

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
South Molton
Tff Grassroots group has already achieved alot speaking to the Efra Committee & over stuff going on behind the scenes, they have shown what a small group of like minded farmers can achieve & also that the Government wants to listen to their views.
They have used the forum as their base & discussion area but have been open & provided their real names when dealing with Government & others.

Whom are you speaking on behalf of?
How were this group elected?
Like minded how?
 

Vader

Member
Mixed Farmer
I would keep things simple.
We need to ask people to join a union of actual British farmers with the sole original aim of enabling members to market their produce without RT.

This could easily succeed with a fairly nominal fee and then members could be asked if they would wish for the union to become their fully fledged representation as an alternative / replacement of NFU.
Exactly mate.
Get member ship with nominal fee.
Them focus on rt attack
 

cb387

Member
Arable Farmer
Location
Cotswolds
Regrettably I think there is no chance of farmers significantly influencing the direction of the NFU. The have an agenda driven by non farming members that isn’t going to change

A fresh start is the way but getting a consensus will be difficult. But, I think previous posts suggesting social media / things going viral etc could be the secret to getting it going - even for old farts like me
 

SFI - What % were you taking out of production?

  • 0 %

    Votes: 77 43.5%
  • Up to 25%

    Votes: 62 35.0%
  • 25-50%

    Votes: 28 15.8%
  • 50-75%

    Votes: 3 1.7%
  • 75-100%

    Votes: 3 1.7%
  • 100% I’ve had enough of farming!

    Votes: 4 2.3%

Red Tractor drops launch of green farming scheme amid anger from farmers

  • 1,286
  • 1
As reported in Independent


quote: “Red Tractor has confirmed it is dropping plans to launch its green farming assurance standard in April“

read the TFF thread here: https://thefarmingforum.co.uk/index.php?threads/gfc-was-to-go-ahead-now-not-going-ahead.405234/
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