GFC disgrace: Here's what NFU, AHDB and RT have signed us up for

[vantage]

I’ve just joined BFU. The senior leadership of the NFU are a disgrace to their members, I just hope they take a mighty slip from the greasy pole they are all so eager to climb.

BB

Welcome aboard.

We're not moving quite as quickly as we'd like, but hopefully heading in the right direction. It's building momentum all the time, with both members and other organisations contacting us and thinking along similar lines.

I just wonder if our so called representatives have been taking us for mugs and just see us as an income source.

No salaries or expenses have ever been paid from BFU membership money. Up to now, totally run by volunteers who just want to see some sense in our industry. In fact, many of the supporters have actually paid for things out of their own pockets. e.g. getting leaflets printed, paying for Facebook ads, paying for F Weekly advert last month, etc.

We don't do gravy, although at some point we'll get more achieved if there's paid staff or work done on a per job basis.

In Wales the NFU is NFU Cymru, led by Aled Jones. All office holders are practicing farmers, with their feet firmly on the ground.
An example of this is when pre the Royal Welsh, NFU Cymru had a press conference where they told WAG where to stick their 10% tree planting!
I’d like to resign from NFU , but stay in NFU Cymru! Don’t know if it’s achievable.

 

[Barleymow]

and mr lidl tesco and morrison as well no doubt

Backstabbers blenky

 

[Henarar]

When does the new top man at AHDB start in the job?

Don't know, I can't keep up the the comings and goings

 

[Matthew Britton]

Perhaps we could become associate members

I understand why it has been set up like it has. It would just be nice to be able to show some support for all those left behind, you really have been landed in the sh!t. We have nothing close to your problems here which is great for us but as I say it would be nice to support. As you say an associate membership would be good.

 

[SilliamWhale]

It's clear where this heading now, the various iinquires all look to be flawed before they even are started. BRC are not going to walk awat from the pot of green gold they want to steal are they

only fix is to kill it - organizing a mass resignation is the only solution i can see now

I think what has been going on between the NFU/RT and BRC is now a ministerial issue. The whole thing is extremely dodgy and it has to go in front of Govt now

 

[SilliamWhale]

In Wales the NFU is NFU Cymru, led by Aled Jones. All office holders are practicing farmers, with their feet firmly on the ground.
An example of this is when pre the Royal Welsh, NFU Cymru had a press conference where they told WAG where to stick their 10% tree planting!
I’d like to resign from NFU , but stay in NFU Cymru! Don’t know if it’s achievable.

They speak the same language on Red Tractor even though I think Aled and Abi are thoroughly decent I wouldn't join until the RT double standards is resolved

 

[B'o'B]

When does the new top man at AHDB start in the job?

With the huge reduction in output from UK farms required by this it will require at least a doubling of levy just to stand still for their budgets.
If the future of UK Ag is all about massive reduction in outputs over the next 6 years, while competing against imports, there is no longer any need for AHDB at any practical level. If they don’t fight this tooth and nail they will be out of a job regardless of a vote by levy payers.

 

[Green oak]

30 by 30

 

[TheRanger]

What is NFUS position on the RT matter? Have seen nothing in the press regarding them specifically, but I take it they also sit on the RT board?

 

[Universe]

Will do.

Ditto

 

[DrDunc]

With the huge reduction in output from UK farms required by this it will require at least a doubling of levy just to stand still for their budgets.
If the future of UK Ag is all about massive reduction in outputs over the next 6 years, while competing against imports, there is no longer any need for AHDB at any practical level. If they don’t fight this tooth and nail they will be out of a job regardless of a vote by levy payers.

Levies are compulsory, so to survive the AHDB just "vote" that they double their income after the green module has halved British agricultural output

RT would appear to be the turkeys voting for Christmas in all this, but the NFU and the British retail consortium have obviously already provided assurances of further future financial support

The collusion between retailers and the organisations that are supposed to represent our industry, is simply disgusting

They are condemning themselves by their silence

Even worse are the attempts by the likes of Tom Bradshaw to distance themselves without first condemning the module they voted for and had hoped to push through

Remember, the module has NOT BEEN CANCELLED, ONLY DELAYED UNTIL AFTER THE FINDINGS OF A REVIEW INTO RT GOVERNANCE

 

[tullah]

What is NFUS position on the RT matter? Have seen nothing in the press regarding them specifically, but I take it they also sit on the RT board?

 

[B'o'B]

Remember, the module has NOT BEEN CANCELLED, ONLY DELAYED UNTIL AFTER THE FINDINGS OF A REVIEW INTO RT GOVERNANCE

Even worse than that, even if GFC is scrapped completely, the supermarkets are still committed to WWF Basket and will try and find other mechanisms to force us to carry the costs.

 

[upnortheast]

Remember, the module has NOT BEEN CANCELLED, ONLY DELAYED UNTIL AFTER THE FINDINGS OF A REVIEW INTO RT GOVERNANCE

& it`s not difficult to predict what the review will say
The only question they should have been looking at - Does RT add value to the output of UK Ag. We all know that is bugger all, & if this green module goes ahead the figures quoted from Anderson`s calcs say it will be an added cost

 

[upnortheast]

Sent my hard earned £10 yesterday to BFU but not able to access their forum yet ? @Grass And Grain

 

[Clive]

No, I don’t think gunning for ahdb is a good idea unless it can be fully proven that they have been working against us on this. At the moment there is a lot of hear say but not actual proof.

^^ this

but for me what they do over the next 6 months is critical to my opinion on their future

they need to step up or shut up !

 

[tullah]

What is NFUS position on the RT matter? Have seen nothing in the press regarding them specifically, but I take it they also sit on the RT board?

Not only do they sit on the board but they own this rogue outfit.
So no wonder they are all smiles pushing RT down our throats saying it's good for us to take our money.
The BFU gathering up new members apace have exposed this racket much to the Nfu's annoyance.

 

[DrDunc]

Even worse than that, even if GFC is scrapped completely, the supermarkets are still committed to WWF Basket and will try and find other mechanisms to force us to carry the costs.

The practices of our agriculture industry, particularly our grass fed red meat, are some of the most sustainable in the world

We, and the organisations supposed to represent us, need to publicise the environmental damage importing our food will do to the planet

The supermarkets are driven by profit, not any morale or ecological obligation. They will change their commitments for whatever gives them the most income

The greening module has not gone away, but now forewarned, we can fight to save our industry. We need to start now, before the retailers and petroleum companies rip the flesh from the rotting corpse of our livelihoods

 

[Steevo]

Sent my hard earned £10 yesterday to BFU but not able to access their forum yet ? @Grass And Grain

@Chris F

 

[delilah]

Sent my hard earned £10 yesterday to BFU but not able to access their forum yet ? @Grass And Grain

Steady. BFU was only founded yesterday, has no budget, and is run entirely by folks with farms to run.