NFU and Supermarkets.!!

[Wolds Beef]

I know NFU is a dirty word on here! but I am still a member, as are several others. At our last meeting I did say that the NFU should not take sponsorship from the retailers for there annual conference and get together. I still believe this should be the case as the supermarkets/retailers are continually squeezing our margins. What do other people think? Could we collectively call at our branches for the removal of the sponsorship.? There is no NFU forum so I have put this on here.
WB

 

[Jamer]

I concur wholeheartedly. How can the NFU stand up to any organisation it has taken money from? Our membership is in arrears and I’m waiting for the phone call to express my intense dislike of this, and the GFI rubber stamping, as the reasons I won’t pay and will leave.

 

[Bald Rick]

I know NFU is a dirty word on here! but I am still a member, as are several others. At our last meeting I did say that the NFU should not take sponsorship from the retailers for there annual conference and get together. I still believe this should be the case as the supermarkets/retailers are continually squeezing our margins. What do other people think? Could we collectively call at our branches for the removal of the sponsorship.? There is no NFU forum so I have put this on here.
WB

There is no way the NFU will stop having their conference sponsored by the supermarkets.
Having attended 2 thinking I might wish to progress my political career back in the day, it was mind boggling to see what was going on. Free single room accommodation in hotels close by. A formal 3 course dinner with after dinner speaker (Had Martin Bayfield ex England rugby player & that travel guy who is always on the news) plus endless break out sessions and gladhanding.

Cost would be in £tens of thousands easily

Grease me in £20 notes Maureen

 

[graham mc]

theres no chance of that happening as a protest you would be better to pull your money from nfu membership etc unless there are reason why you need to be a member

 

[Rnold]

I know NFU is a dirty word on here! but I am still a member, as are several others. At our last meeting I did say that the NFU should not take sponsorship from the retailers for there annual conference and get together. I still believe this should be the case as the supermarkets/retailers are continually squeezing our margins. What do other people think? Could we collectively call at our branches for the removal of the sponsorship.? There is no NFU forum so I have put this on here.
WB

I agree with you.

I have also told senior officers of the union that they need to put some distance between themselves and the retailers. They need to stop taking the sponsorship money and remember just who they are supposed to be representing.

If that means having a conference in a grain store or cow shed in the Midlands, so be it.

 

[Jackov Altraids]

I agree with you.

I have also told senior officers of the union that they need to put some distance between themselves and the retailers. They need to stop taking the sponsorship money and remember just who they are supposed to be representing.

If that means having a conference in a grain store or cow shed in the Midlands, so be it.

I would rather the NFU kept taking the money from supermarkets and see the supermarkets withdrawal the funding of the NFU.
That might indicate that the NFU had finally supported farmers.

 

[Wolds Beef]

@Jamer Do not leave.!! Get down to your branch meeting and express your displeasure. That is the trouble, members pay there subs but do not attend meetings or express themselves.
I, for my sins, was NFU staff for a period in my youth, but left to come back to the farm because of a clash of personality's(long Story). But if we collectively push, we might succeed. We need to stick together.
@Rnold Thanks, I am sure something could be arranged as regards meeting space. Look at the Young Farmers, they had to change tack but they still have there AGM meeting without a Jamboree.!!
@Bald Rick There is if we push enough, Why not get sponsores like CNH, Claas, or Bailey. We all buy there products.
Lets see what other people think.

 

[DrWazzock]

With fairly high membership fees why does it need sponsorship at all? How much does it cost to hire a village hall to gather farmers views and pass them up the tree to those elected representatives who are supposed to fight our corner? Why does it need such a gigantic amount of overhead and even then seems to fail to fight for our interests but acts as a virtue signalling middleman between farmers and buyers, RT being a typical case. Maybe if the NFU had less money it would stick to working for our interests rather than adding bells and whistles that only seem to help our customers.

 

[goodevans]

On a different matter I can't stand our national sports sides having sponsorship on shirts etc

 

[milkloss]

I agree. Not a member since 6 years or so though.

You can't sell something to someone if they already own you.

 

[texelburger]

With fairly high membership fees why does it need sponsorship at all? How much does it cost to hire a village hall to gather farmers views and pass them up the tree to those elected representatives who are supposed to fight our corner? Why does it need such a gigantic amount of overhead and even then seems to fail to fight for our interests but acts as a virtue signalling middleman between farmers and buyers, RT being a typical case. Maybe if the NFU had less money it would stick to working for our interests rather than adding bells and whistles that only seem to help our customers.

I think they all enjoy a Jolly with copious back slapping hence the glitzy annual conference with all the bells and whistles.

 

[glasshouse]

I know NFU is a dirty word on here! but I am still a member, as are several others. At our last meeting I did say that the NFU should not take sponsorship from the retailers for there annual conference and get together. I still believe this should be the case as the supermarkets/retailers are continually squeezing our margins. What do other people think? Could we collectively call at our branches for the removal of the sponsorship.? There is no NFU forum so I have put this on here.
WB

You can add refusing any gongs for the leader as well

 

[principal skinner]

No way in the world should super markets etc be sponsoring the NFU conference or any thing else. Stinks of corruption and crossing palms with silver.

 

[Wolds Beef]

Bump!! I do believe all members that attend there branch meeting should propose that the NFU should drop the supermarket sponsoreship at there AGM/Jamboree/Knees up.
And get sponsoreship from other sourses.

 

[O'Reilly]

Was talking to a farming friend, when there was a badger cull being planned for the area, and realised that neither of us knew who the local chairman would be. When I looked online, all I could find was stuff about the mutual. If they really want to engage with the farming community which they claim to represent, they need to make more effort.

 

[Wombat]

Bit like P & O sponsoring the Nautilus and RMT unions Christmas parties

 

[graham mc]

i admire your effort but as many have tried before change from within and the nfu dont seam to go hand in hand good luck anyway

 

[Punch]

Bump!! I do believe all members that attend there branch meeting should propose that the NFU should drop the supermarket sponsoreship at there AGM/Jamboree/Knees up.
And get sponsoreship from other sourses.

I think it’s not on next year. Going biennial

 

[glasshouse]

I think it’s not on next year. Going biennial

Typical
As soon as things get too hot, cancel democracy.

 

[Rnold]

i admire your effort but as many have tried before change from within and the nfu dont seam to go hand in hand good luck anyway

The trouble we have is the NFU is the face of our industry that others choose to see, recognise and engage with, such as government ,supermarkets and trade organisations. The NFU represents everyone in farming by default whether they are members or not and their actions and policies effect us all. Whether we like it or not, government and policy makers will always consult them.

Those that are in a position to apply some pressure on the union officers, need too. Change is needed .