NFU Council agrees the following resolution on the EU Referendum

[llamedos]

The NFU recognises and respects the diversity of views among its membership. The NFU’s position is based solely on an evaluation of the agricultural merits of the case and the NFU is fully aware there are many wider issues at stake.

The NFU will not be actively campaigning in the referendum; it will not be joining with any campaign groups and it will not, in any circumstances, advise its members how to vote.

full item see

http://www.nfuonline.com/news/latest-news/nfu-council-agrees-the-following-resolution-on-the/

 

[bobk]

Fence sitting . don't you just love em .

 

[JP1]

 

[Dr Evil]

Fence sitting . don't you just love em .

Doesn't seem to be anywhere near the fence to me, although the clipped quote from the link above might lead the reader to think so.

Seems quite clear- nfu think we're better in. It's been one of the main items on the BBC news tonight, quite clearly portrayed as that.

 

[bovrill]

I listened to the 10 o'clock news on radio4, and Muerig was on there saying how it was unanimous council support for staying in (apart from a couple. ... which rather spoils the term 'unanimous' for me!), council members representing their members of course.
Wasn't there a poll on here somewhere running over 60% wanting out?!
Edit: Just found it, and it's over 70%!

 

[An Gof]

I listened to the 10 o'clock news on radio4, and Muerig was on there saying how it was unanimous council support for staying in (apart from a couple. ... which rather spoils the term 'unanimous' for me!), council members representing their members of course.
Wasn't there a poll on here somewhere running over 60% wanting out?!
Edit: Just found it, and it's over 70%!

The vote wasn't about in or out it was about whether the NFU should register with Electoral Commission so it could provide information and inform members of pros an cons. Read the press release details.

 

[llamedos]

World Tonight (last night) http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0770qmb fwd to 12:31 for Paul Johnson & Meurigs Comments

 

[Chrisw]

The vote wasn't about in or out it was about whether the NFU should register with Electoral Commission so it could provide information and inform members of pros an cons. Read the press release details.

It's the headline news that matters, and with online farm polls running at 70% for out, and every farmer I have met wants out, The decision to "remain" seems at odds with everything I am seeing. Judging by comments on here, I am not the only one who is surprised by the Nfu "coming out" as remain.

 

[its yourself]

It's the headline news that matters, and with online farm polls running at 70% for out, and every farmer I have met wants out, The decision to "remain" seems at odds with everything I am seeing. Judging by comments on here, I am not the only one who is surprised by the Nfu "coming out" as remain.

Most online polls during the indyref had similar results to that for yes.

No won.


Remain is significantly ahead in the polls.

Remain is near certain to win.

The UK government is ruthlessly controlling the agenda and will get exactly what it wants.

 

[Henarar]

The NFU recognises and respects the diversity of views among its membership. The NFU’s position is based solely on an evaluation of the agricultural merits of the case and the NFU is fully aware there are many wider issues at stake.

The NFU will not be actively campaigning in the referendum; it will not be joining with any campaign groups and it will not, in any circumstances, advise its members how to vote.

It is, however, the case that the Electoral Commission rules governing the referendum in effect mean that the NFU will be required to register to enable it to continue to carry out its essential role of informing members of the issues as they affect farmers.

The NFU Council resolves that on the balance of existing evidence available to us at present, the interests of farmers are best served by our continuing membership of the European Union.

Whether the vote is to stay or to leave, the NFU will always lobby to obtain the best possible deal for British farmers.

Kind regards,

NFU

Agriculture House | Stoneleigh Park | Warwickshire | CV8 2TZ

 

[Derrick Hughes]

Dear Mr Hughes,

The NFU recognises and respects the diversity of views among its membership. The NFU’s position is based solely on an evaluation of the agricultural merits of the case and the NFU is fully aware there are many wider issues at stake.

The NFU will not be actively campaigning in the referendum; it will not be joining with any campaign groups and it will not, in any circumstances, advise its members how to vote.

It is, however, the case that the Electoral Commission rules governing the referendum in effect mean that the NFU will be required to register to enable it to continue to carry out its essential role of informing members of the issues as they affect farmers.

The NFU Council resolves that on the balance of existing evidence available to us at present, the interests of farmers are best served by our continuing membership of the European Union.

Whether the vote is to stay or to leave, the NFU will always lobby to obtain the best possible deal for British farmers.

Kind regards,

NFU

 

[gone up the hill]

It's the headline news that matters, and with online farm polls running at 70% for out, and every farmer I have met wants out, The decision to "remain" seems at odds with everything I am seeing. Judging by comments on here, I am not the only one who is surprised by the Nfu "coming out" as remain.

Disgusting that the NFU took that vote and have announced they are for staying in after only getting the views of only 2000 or so members!

Yep they have these meetings and we know what a farce they are!!

NFU should NOT have held ANY vote on the issue!

NFU get further and further away from grass roots members as every day passes! Strange that Meurig Raymond hasn't any spare time to give a press release about the RPA and what a disgrace it is that 10,000 farmers are still waiting to be paid their BPS yet has plenty of time to waste/ give interviews on the EU vote, he is seriously out of touch with his members!

@Guy Smith

 

[gone up the hill]

The vote wasn't about in or out it was about whether the NFU should register with Electoral Commission so it could provide information and inform members of pros an cons. Read the press release details.

That is incorrect info you are giving!

 

[Henarar]

Disgusting that the NFU took that vote and have announced they are for staying in after only getting the views of only 2000 or so members!

Yep they have these meetings and we know what a farce they are!!

NFU should NOT have held ANY vote on the issue!

NFU get further and further away from grass roots members as every day passes! Strange that Meurig Raymond hasn't any spare time to give a press release about the RPA and what a disgrace it is that 10,000 farmers are still waiting to be paid their BPS yet has plenty of time to waste/ give interviews on the EU vote, he is seriously out of touch with his members!

@Guy Smith

Good that they came to the right decision though

 

[gone up the hill]

Good that they came to the right decision though

Not if you want a profitable future and defo not if you want to carry on running your suckler herd as the EU will destroy it with the trade talks they are undertaking.

 

[Clive]

how on earth did someone so uncharismatic ever get elected ? the bit on the news I saw was simply awful, a lesson is how not to do PR

can the remaining NFU members all chip in and buy Meurig a decent suit that fits him and a haircut please ! he's representing an industry

 

[Clive]

Disgusting that the NFU took that vote and have announced they are for staying in after only getting the views of only 2000 or so members!

Yep they have these meetings and we know what a farce they are!!

NFU should NOT have held ANY vote on the issue!

NFU get further and further away from grass roots members as every day passes! Strange that Meurig Raymond hasn't any spare time to give a press release about the RPA and what a disgrace it is that 10,000 farmers are still waiting to be paid their BPS yet has plenty of time to waste/ give interviews on the EU vote, he is seriously out of touch with his members!

@Guy Smith

I think its a bit unfair really - as an industry body they should have a stance on the issue, all other unions and trade bodies etc will do the same I guess

yes their voting system is, as often discussed, somewhat questionable but they do have to take a side I guess and as an organisation that needs to suck up to government and EU I wouldn't really have expected the result to be in favour of Britex

what I want to see from ALL political organizations on this vote is some outlining of scenarios both in and out to help us all as individuals make an informed choice on referendum day

 

[bovrill]

It seems a bit mad that they have to register as one way or the other to be able to continue to function!
How come there isn't a 'We're staying neutral on this one' box they can tick?

 

[bovrill]

The vote wasn't about in or out it was about whether the NFU should register with Electoral Commission so it could provide information and inform members of pros an cons. Read the press release details.

I don't care what the press release said, I'm going by what Meurig Raymond said on the news last night.

 

[Qman]

how on earth did someone so uncharismatic ever get elected ? the bit on the news I saw was simply awful, a lesson is how not to do PR

can the remaining NFU members all chip in and buy Meurig a decent suit that fits him please ! he's representing an industry

He looked like Lord Palmerston or an nineteenth century squire on the news last night. I went to a NFU EU meeting and there were plenty of members who wanted to leave and the NFU try to tell us it was unanimous! The council are completely out of touch with their members on this and many other things.

My dad told me to do the opposite of what the NFU tell you to do. I think he was right.